Tokyo: The estimated number of visitors from mainland China to Japan fell sharply by 60.7 percent from a year earlier, reaching 385,300 in January, as reported by the Japan National Tourism Organization on Wednesday.
According to Philippines News Agency, the decline in January accelerated from a 45.3 percent drop in December. This trend is attributed to the Chinese government's continued advisory for its citizens to avoid traveling to Japan, following remarks made by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi concerning a potential Taiwan contingency.
Additionally, the number of visitors from Hong Kong decreased by 17.9 percent. The overall number of foreign visitors to Japan experienced a decline of 4.9 percent, totaling 3,597,500. This marks the first year-on-year decrease since January 2022, despite record-high arrivals from 17 countries and regions, including the United States and Indonesia.
Japan Tourism Agency Commissioner Shigeki Murata addressed the situation during a press conference, stating, "There have been some cancellations (by Chinese tourists), but they are being offset by visitors from other countries." Murata also mentioned that the government is not currently planning new financial aid for businesses affected by the decrease in Chinese visitors.
In January, South Korea accounted for the largest number of visitors to Japan, with 1,176,000, marking a 21.6 percent increase. Taiwan followed with 694,500 visitors, up by 17 percent, and China ranked third. The United States saw 207,800 visitors to Japan, an increase of 13.8 percent. Many visitors from South Korea, the United States, and Australia traveled to Japan to enjoy winter sports or during school holidays.
