As the number of South Korean travelers visiting Japan hits record highs, diplomatic missions across the country are experiencing a steep surge in the issuance of emergency passports. Driven by factors such as the weak yen and geographic proximity, tourism to Japan has expanded exponentially, yet this boom brings mounting concerns over the safety and security of tourists. According to data submitted by lawmaker Lee Ki-heon of the Democratic Party of Korea from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, emergency passports issued by diplomatic missions in Japan totaled 661 in 2022, escalating sharply to 2,086 in 2023, 2,415 in 2024, and remaining high at 2,393 in 2025. The upward trend continues unabated, with over 1,600 cases recorded in just the first seven months of a subsequent period. 

Emergency passports are typically issued under urgent circumstances—such as loss or theft abroad—when travelers lack the time to obtain a regular passport. Beyond mere administrative inconveniences, the frequency of criminal victimization and safety incidents involving South Koreans in Japan has climbed in parallel. Ministry records indicate that the number of South Korean victims of local incidents and accidents in Japan was 348 in 2022, surging to 1,393 in 2023, 2,415 in 2024, and peaking at 3,090 by the end of 2025. The vulnerability persists into the current year, with 1,784 victims officially registered during the first half alone. 

Experts and lawmakers point out that the dramatic surge in emergency passport issuances is deeply intertwined with these broader security risks. A significant portion of emergency document requests stems from travelers being targeted by pickpockets, burglaries, or losing their belongings in crowded tourist districts. Because lost identification documents can expose travelers to secondary crimes, identity theft, or severe legal complications overseas, these administrative spikes often serve as an early indicator of heightened risks to expatriates and tourists. 

Highlighting the gravity of these statistics, Rep. Lee Ki-heon stressed that the sharp increase in emergency passport issuances should not be dismissed as routine administrative data, but rather viewed as a potential warning sign of threats to national safety abroad. He urged the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to establish dedicated monitoring systems and implement proactive protective measures for regions experiencing sudden surges in passport requests, such as Japan. As travel volume remains elevated, strengthening consular support and public awareness campaigns on personal security has become an urgent imperative for travelers abroad.

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