Have you ever wondered what is the most valuable possession a traveler can have? A backpack, a camera, or maybe a passport? As a seasoned blog traveler, I can confidently say that a passport is the crown jewel of any globetrotter. It is a ticket to the world, a symbol of freedom, and a key to unlock endless opportunities.
Over the years, I have learned that not all passports are created equal. As an expat living in multiple countries, I have witnessed firsthand how some passports can open doors effortlessly while others require extensive paperwork, visas, and even bribes. This led me to delve deeper into the topic, and I discovered the concept of passport power.
Passport power is a term used to measure the strength and worth of a passport. It is calculated based on the number of countries a passport holder can enter without a visa or with a visa on arrival. The more countries a passport can access, the higher its passport power.
Intrigued by this concept, I quickly set out to find which passport holds the title of the strongest passport in the world. To my surprise, the answer was not what I expected. It was not a passport from a superpower nation like the U.S or China, or from a wealthy European country like Switzerland or Germany. Instead, it was a small island nation in the Pacific Ocean – Japan.
As someone who has lived in Japan, I can attest to the power of a Japanese passport. It has visa-free access to over 190 countries, including the United Kingdom, the Schengen Area, and many other countries in Asia, Africa, and the Americas. It’s no wonder that Japan has been at the top of the Henley Passport Index for several years in a row.
But what makes a Japanese passport so strong? It’s a combination of factors, including Japan’s political stability, diplomatic relations, and low crime rates, among others. Many countries view Japanese passport holders as low-risk travelers, making it easier for them to enter foreign countries without too much scrutiny.
So, if you’re looking to invest in a passport that will give you limitless travel opportunities, a Japanese passport might be the way to go. Stay tuned for more insights on passport power and how you can make the most of it to live your best expat life.