According to official figures released on Friday, Japan’s monthly visitor count reached a new high in June as a result of the weakening yen, which fueled a tourist boom that is increasingly important to the country’s economy.
Japan Hosts 3.14 Million Tourists: 10 Key Points To Know
- Record Monthly Visitors: Japan saw a record high of 3.14 million international tourists in June, surpassing the previous high set in March and up from 3.04 million in May.
- Economic Boost: The surge in tourists is driven by the weakening yen, making Japan a more attractive destination and significantly boosting the country’s economy.
- Half-Year Record: From January to June, Japan welcomed 17.78 million travelers, setting a record for the first half of the year.
- Yearly Target: The number of tourists is on track to exceed the previous yearly high of 31.9 million visitors, set in 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Tourism Spending: Prime Minister Fumio Kishida projected that tourist spending would reach 8 trillion yen (approximately $50 billion) this year.
- Overtourism Concerns: The government is considering measures to prevent “overtourism” due to the high influx of visitors.
- Top Export Earner: The tourism sector is expected to become Japan’s largest export earner, surpassing the automotive and electronics industries.
- Diverse Tourist Origins: Visitors from 18 out of 23 tracked markets set records for June arrivals, with Taiwan and the US having the highest numbers.
- Shift in Visitor Demographics: There’s a noticeable shift in the diversity of tourists, with fewer Chinese visitors and more from other countries compared to 2019.
- Local Concerns: The influx of tourists has led to some local discontent and concerns, such as the implementation of hiker limits and entry fees on Mount Fuji due to congestion and pollution. Additionally, the mayor of Himeji proposed charging visitors more to visit the city’s famous samurai-era castle.
According to figures released by the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), 3.14 million international tourists arrived in the country for business and pleasure last month, breaking the previous record set in March and up from 3.04 million in May.
In addition, the 17.78 million travelers through June set a record for the first six months of the year. They are also expected to surpass the previous yearly high of 31.9 million travelers in 2019, which was set before the COVID-19 epidemic closed international borders.
According to Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, tourist spending is expected to total 8 trillion yen ($50 billion) this year. He also said that the government must take precautions against “overtourism.” With cars coming in second and electronics first, the tourism sector is expected to overtake both industries as Japan’s largest export earner.
Also Read: Thailand Welcomes 20 Million Tourists in First Seven Months of 2024
Due to the yen’s decline to a 38-year low against the dollar, Japan is now an alluring deal for tourists traveling abroad. Travelers from 18 locations broke previous records for June arrivals out of the 23 markets the JNTO tracks. Taiwan and the US had the greatest monthly visitor totals.
“There’s no doubt that the depreciating value of the yen has increased the allure of Japan and stimulated impulsive travel plans,” said Naomi Mano, head of upscale travel company Luxurique. “We are also witnessing a more diverse mix of countries visiting Japan, a notable shift from 2019 when approximately 30% of travelers were Chinese.”
Although the economy has benefited greatly from traveler spending, some residents have expressed displeasure at the large numbers of visitors visiting popular tourist destinations, and authorities have expressed worry.
This month, authorities implemented hiker limitations and entry fees for the first time due to congested routes and a rise in pollution on Japan’s revered Mount Fuji.
Last month, the mayor of Himeji, western Japan, likewise proposed charging visitors to the city’s well-known samurai-era castle around six times what locals pay.
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