Tokyo: The number of foreign visitors to Japan reached an estimated 21,518,100 in the first half of 2025, passing the 20-million line at record pace, the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) said Wednesday.

According to Philippines News Agency, the figure for January-June was up 21.0 percent from a year before, boosted by increases in visitors mainly from China, especially during the country's Lunar New Year holiday period and the cherry blossom season in Japan.

Meanwhile, a preliminary report from the Japan Tourism Agency showed that consumption by foreign visitors to Japan in April-June rose 18 percent year-on-year to 2,525 billion yen.

In June alone, the number of foreign visitors grew 7.6 percent from a year earlier to 3,377,800, hitting the highest level for the month, according to JNTO. Visitors from Southeast Asia, Europe, and the United States increased amid school holidays.