Japan Foreign Visitor Arrivals Drop 5.0 Percent in September Due to Airfares and Typhoons
Foreign visitor arrivals to Japan fell 5.0 percent in September from the previous year to 3,103,700, according to data released Wednesday by the Japan National Tourism Organization.
Regional Disparities Define the September Tourism Slump
Visitor numbers from South Korea climbed 25.6 percent to 842,300, while travelers from Taiwan rose 13.0 percent to 595,600, both marking record highs for the month of September. Conversely, arrivals from mainland China plunged 44.5 percent to 430,800. That steep drop reflects an official advisory issued by the Chinese government against traveling to Japan. Meanwhile, visitors from the United States decreased 3.2 percent to 217,500.
Cumulative Annual Totals Exceed Thirty Million Travelers
Despite the September downturn, Japan’s cumulative tourism figures for the year maintain a high total volume. The cumulative number of foreign visitors for the January through September period reached 30,730,200. This marks the second consecutive year that arrivals have crossed the 30 million threshold during the first nine months, even though the cumulative figure still represents a 2.9 percent decrease compared to the same timeframe in the previous year.
Frequently Asked Questions About Japan Tourism Numbers
What caused the sharp drop in visitors from mainland China in September?
The 44.5 percent decline in Chinese visitors stems directly from an advisory issued by the Chinese government discouraging travel to Japan.
How much did South Korean travel to Japan increase in September?
Arrivals from South Korea rose by 25.6 percent compared to the previous year, reaching 842,300 visitors and setting a record high for the month.
What overall tourism volume has Japan recorded for the year so far?
Between January and September, total foreign visitors reached 30,730,200, exceeding the 30 million mark for the second consecutive year despite a 2.9 percent drop overall.
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