By TravoUpdate
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.
The surge in tourists is driven by the weakening yen, making Japan a more attractive destination and significantly boosting the country's economy.
From January to June, Japan welcomed 17.78 million travelers, setting a record for the first half of the year.
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.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida projected that tourist spending would reach 8 trillion yen (approximately $50 billion) this year.
The government is considering measures to prevent "overtourism" due to the high influx of visitors.
The tourism sector is expected to become Japan's largest export earner, surpassing the automotive and electronics industries.
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.
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.