Global Blue Launches Cash Japan Across Six Airports Ahead of Japan’s Tax Refund Reform

Japan’s upcoming Tax Free Shopping reform will change how international visitors receive their refunds, creating a new role for airports in the shopping journey. To support this transition, Global Blue has established Cash Japan Inc., a new entity selected to provide airport tax refund services at six major airports across the country.

Cash Japan aims to simplify the final step of the Tax Free Shopping journey through a single refund platform connecting multiple Tax Free Shopping operators.

Asian retailer handing over bags to shoppers

What Japan’s New Tax Free Shopping System Means for Retailers

From November 2026, Japan will move from the “Consumption Tax-off” model, where eligible purchases are Tax Free at the point of sale, to the “Consumption Tax-on” model. International shoppers will pay consumption tax upfront and receive a refund after Customs approval at departure.

This marks a new chapter for Tax Free Shopping in Japan. For retailers, this means the Tax Free Shopping journey will extend beyond the store, making the airport refund process an important part of the overall customer experience.

A Single Refund Process Across Six Japanese Airports

Cash Japan has been selected to provide airport tax refund services at Chubu Centrair, Fukuoka, Kansai, Kobe, Narita, and New Chitose airports. Services are scheduled to begin progressively from November 1, 2026.

The platform will connect multiple Tax Free Shopping operators, allowing eligible travelers to complete their tax refund procedures through a single process rather than handling transactions separately with each operator. By bringing transaction data together, Cash Japan aims to simplify the departure process for international shoppers while supporting more efficient coordination between airports and participating operators.

A More Convenient Departure Experience

Designed to streamline tax refunds at departure, Cash Japan’s airport services will offer international visitors a faster, more convenient process through the following features:

One Process for Multiple Operators

The platform automatically identifies eligible transactions across participating Tax Free Shopping operators, reducing the need for separate procedures.

Cash Refunds in Japanese Yen

Eligible Tax Free shoppers can collect their refunds at self-service terminals or customer service counters.

A Quicker Procedure

Passport authentication enables automatic transaction matching. In most cases, the process is expected to take approximately one minute and ten seconds.

Support in 12 Languages

Self-service terminals will help international visitors navigate the refund process in their preferred supported language.

These services can help create a smoother end-to-end Tax Free Shopping experience, while cash refunds give international visitors the flexibility to spend their refunded money at airport shops, restaurants and Tax Free outlets before departure.

Supporting Japan’s Next Phase of Tax Free Shopping

Japan’s new system will require closer coordination between retailers, Tax Free Shopping operators and airports. Cash Japan will help support this transition while making the refund process smoother for international visitors.

We believe that the launch of Cash Japan’s consumption tax refund services at airports will be a major turning point for Japan’s Tax Free market. By making the consumption tax refund process simpler and easier to use, we will contribute to greater convenience for inbound travelers. We will also help build the foundation for Japan to achieve further growth as one of the world’s leading travel and shopping destinations.

Shuichi Kameyama

Managing Director of Cash Japan

Beyond Cash Japan’s role in supporting the new refund system, Global Blue works with Japanese retailers to enhance the Tax Free Shopping experience, understand international shopper trends through Business Intelligence, and engage valuable audiences through data-driven digital marketing.