Tokyo: The number of foreign tourists visiting Japan continues to decline for the second consecutive month, largely attributed to a significant reduction in the number of Chinese tourists.
According to Thai News Agency, the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) reported that 3.55 million tourists visited Japan in May. The overall number of foreign tourists decreased by 3.6 percent compared to the same period last year. This decline is primarily due to a notable drop in the number of Chinese tourists.
In May, the number of Chinese tourists was recorded at 310,000, which represents a 60.4 percent decrease compared to the same period last year. This marks the sixth consecutive month of decline in Chinese tourist numbers, following warnings from the Chinese government advising its citizens to avoid travel to Japan amid strained diplomatic relations.
The report also highlighted a decrease in tourists from Thailand and Vietnam, with reductions of 8.6 percent and 2.1 percent, respectively. JNTO noted that China has emerged as the new preferred destination for tourists from these countries.
Conversely, the number of tourists from eight Middle Eastern countries increased by 67.8 percent compared to the previous year, reaching 39,000. This surge aligns with Islamic holidays and the resumption of regular airline services. Additionally, tourist numbers from South Korea rose by 15.2 percent to 950,000; from Taiwan, by 14.6 percent to over 610,000; and from the United States, by 7 percent to 330,000.