APD | Japan welcomes 31.88 million foreign visitors in 2019

By APD writer Alice

Japan received 31.88 million foreign visitors in 2019, up 2.2 percent against the previous year.

The figure hit a record high for the seventh consecutive year but the growth was limited by a sharp fall in tourists from South Korea amid deteriorating bilateral ties, according to Japanese Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Minister Kazuyoshi Akaba.

The outcome clouded the outlook for the government to achieve its goal of attracting 40 million in 2020.

Japan expects visitors to skyrocket in 2020 as the country hosts the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games this summer. However, in fact, some host cities have seen a decline in tourists as they tried to avoid large crowds and sharp hikes in accommodation fees.

The number of South Korean visitors has continuously plunged since August last year, even to 65 percent. Previously, South Korean visitors made up roughly 20 percent of the total overseas tourists, according to the Japan Tourism Agency.

However, the easing of visa restrictions and an increase in the number of international flights to and from Japan has led to steady growth in travelers from China and other Asian nations between January and November last year, according to the agency.

Major travel agency JTB Corp. has estimated the number of foreign tourist arrivals to Japan will reach only 34.3 million this year.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)