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a few months ago, Japan, in trying to attract more digital nomads, introduced a digtal nomad visa[1].

[1] Japan Introduces New Visa for Digital Nomads https://www.japan.travel/en/ca/news/digital-nomad-visa/

I don’t really get the rationale. You’re effectively pursuing longer term tourists who are cheaper in spending habits on average and presumably want non-hotel housing. Maybe that’s a win in Tokyo but it’s not obvious to me why.

I guess it’s about having some short-term tax revenue from younger foreigners to help the state deal with an aging population. Since nomads eventually move away, the state does not include them in any pension system.

I guess although I believe a tourist visa for the US and some other countries is 90 days so I assume the incentive is to fly under the radar for that period (eg no coworking space) and then go somewhere else.

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