According to data from the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), the number of foreign visitors to Japan for business and leisure purposes reached 3.14 million in June, breaking the record set in the previous March and up from 3.04 million in May.
The total of 17.78 million visitors in June is also a half-year record and is on track to break the previous record high of 31.9 million in 2019 (before the COVID-19 pandemic closed borders). gender).
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said tourist spending is estimated to reach 8,000 billion yen (equivalent to 50 billion USD) this year. He also added that the government needs to pay special attention to "over-tourism". The tourism industry is on track to become the country's second-largest export industry, behind cars and ahead of electronic components.
The yen's slide to its lowest level in 38 years against the dollar has made Japan an affordable destination for foreign tourists. In particular, tourists from Taiwan (China) and the US make up the majority.
Naomi Mano - President of Luxurique Travel Company - shared: "The weak Yen has boosted Japan's appeal, encouraging spontaneous travel plans. We are also seeing more visitors from Countries that previously rarely chose to visit Japan. This is a notable change when in 2019, about 30% of tourists were Chinese."
According to Ms. Elise Hodgson from Inside Japan travel company, favorable exchange rates give Australian tourists the opportunity to try expensive experiences beyond their previous budgets. They can eat at high-end restaurants and explore culinary culture at a more affordable price, as well as stay at a traditional ryokan (Japanese inn).
While tourist spending contributes positively to the overall economy, crowds at popular tourist destinations upset some locals. Policymakers are somewhat concerned.
Typically, overcrowded trails and severe littering on Japan's sacred Mount Fuji have prompted officials to impose entry fees and limit the number of first-time hikers first this month.
Last month, the mayor of Himeji city in western Japan also proposed charging foreigners about six times the fee local residents pay to enter the castle worshiping the city's famous samurai.
