London/IBNS: Japan has secured the first rank as the world's most powerful passport, allowing visa-free entry to 193 global destinations, according to the latest Henley Passport Index.

The country tops the list for the fifth consecutive year.

Only 24 million valid Japanese passports were in circulation at the end of 2021, according to the latest available figures from the country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Japan's passport is followed by Singapore and South Korea, who retained their places in joint second on the ranking.

They are followed by Germany and Spain, and then a slew of other European nations.

The US is placed at the 22nd spot, with visa-free access to 186 places, matching the likes of Switzerland, New Zealand and Norway.

China allows access to 80, the same as Bolivia's. Russia's is better, providing hassle-free entry to 118 destinations, while Afghanistan's remained the weakest, with access to just 27.

The ranking, published by London-based immigration consultancy Henley & Partners, uses data from the International Air Transport Association to rank 199 passports' access to 227 travel destinations.

The methodology they follow differs from other passport indexes like one published by financial advisory Arton Capital, which put the United Arab Emirates in pole position.