UPDATE (8 Sep 2025): SPECIAL ISSUANCE PASSPORT (SIP) REQUIREMENT FOR GERMANY, JAPAN & THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA
Eligible dependents of service members and DoD civilians on official travel to Germany, Japan and the Republic of Korea must have Special Issuance Passport (SIP) or the No-Fee Regular (Blue) Passport. See Electronic Foreign Clearance Guide (eFCG) for country specific requirements concerning official travel and the use of a SIP or contact your unit-level passport office.
UPDATE: As of 23 September 2025, The Department of War Passport Services Division (PSD), has granted a 120-Day Grace Period (through 9 Jan 2026) for military and civilian dependents which allows the continued use of the Regular (Blue Tourist) Passport for official travel to Japan and the Rep of Korea.
* Recommend Applying for Official No-Fee (Blue) Passport As-Soon-As-Possible. *
eFCG Link: https://www.fcg.pentagon.mil/