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Japan achieved a new monthly visitor record in June, with 3.14 million foreign visitors, driven by the weak yen. This surge positions tourism as a critical economic driver, with expectations of surpassing pre-pandemic highs.
Japan Breaks Monthly Visitor Record with 3.14 Million in June, Driven by Weak Yen and Economic Boost
According to a Reuters report, official data revealed that Japan achieved a new monthly visitor record in June, as the weak yen fueled a tourism surge that is now a critical economic driver.
The Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) reported that the number of foreign visitors for business and leisure surpassed the previous monthly record set in March and rose from 3.04 million in May to 3.14 million last month.
Also, the 17.78 million travelers through June set a record for a half-year period. They are on track to surpass the annual high of 31.9 million in 2019, set before the COVID-19 pandemic, which closed global borders.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida stated on July 19 that the government must prevent "overtourism," as visitor spending is anticipated to exceed 8 trillion yen ($50 billion) this year. The tourism industry is on the brink of becoming Japan's second-largest export sector, following automobiles and rising above electronic components.
Yen's 38-Year Low Boosts Japan's Tourism, Setting New Records and Raising Overtourism Concerns
Japan has become an irresistible bargain for overseas travelers due to the yen's decline to a 38-year low against the dollar. Travelers from 18 regions established new milestones for June arrivals in 18 23 markets monitored by the JNTO. Visitors from the United States and Taiwan achieved the most significant monthly totals.
"The weak yen has undoubtedly boosted Japan's appeal, encouraging spontaneous travel plans," said Naomi Mano, president of high-end travel agency Luxurique. "We are also witnessing a more diverse mix of countries visiting Japan, a notable shift from 2019 when approximately 30% of travellers were Chinese."
Although traveler spending has benefited the economy, many individuals at visitor hotspots have caused dissatisfaction among locals and prompted apprehension among policymakers.
For the first time this month, officials on Japan's sacrosanct Mt. Fuji implemented admission fees and hiker limits due to the increased littering and crowded trails.
Last month, the mayor of Himeji, a city in western Japan, proposed charging foreigners approximately six times the rate residents pay to access the city's renowned samurai-era castle.
