This contents is taken from http://www.meti.go.jp/english/press/2014/0929_02.html
On October 1, 2014, the Revised Consumption Tax Exemption Program for Foreign Visitors will start to newly cover all consumable products as tax-exempt goods, including foodstuffs, beverages, medicines and cosmetics, which are currently not covered by the program. At the same time, more flexible documentary procedures required for foreign tourists to enjoy such exemption will be introduced.
To invigorate the Japanese economy, the revision aims to trigger further expansion of tax-free shops to regional areas and to stimulate the potential demand for shopping by foreign tourists, whose annual number increased to more than 10 million in 2013, the largest number ever.
Taking the opportunity of launching the revised program, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) will hold a commemoration ceremony, a campaign for raising foreign tourists’ and other countries’ awareness of the program, and strengthen its efforts for conveying related information to Japanese retailers, aiming to expand tax-free shops to regional areas and to provide foreign tourists with more opportunities to enjoy tax-free shopping throughout Japan.