Amid Decrease in Chinese Tourists, Japanese Specialized Tourism Sees Growth
In the face of an improving economy, a weakening yen, and robust government support for the tourism sector, Japan has witnessed a surge in specialized tourism projects, including medical and cultural experience tours. These initiatives have successfully attracted a substantial number of visitors, bringing tourism numbers back to pre-pandemic levels.
Despite this overall success, there has been a notable decline in tourists from China, nearly halving in number. Experts have delved into this phenomenon, shedding light on the unique consumption patterns of Chinese tourists in Japan.
data,
released on Feb. 21, 2024, reveals that January 2024 saw over 2.688 million tourists visiting Japan. Although the Noto Peninsula earthquake led to a decrease in tourist numbers, this figure marks a 79.5 percent increase from the previous year and aligns closely with the figures from the pre-pandemic year of 2019.
The surge in tourism is largely attributed to visitors from Taiwan, South Korea, the Philippines, Europe, America, Australia, and the Middle East. In January, tourists from these regions, along with 23 other key markets, reached an all-time high, with South Korea, Taiwan, and Australia experiencing record-breaking numbers of visitors to Japan.
Interestingly, the statistics from January 2024, compared to January 2019, indicate stable tourist numbers from all 23 key markets, with the notable exceptions of China and Russia. While declines were observed in some countries and regions, they were relatively minor. In contrast, Taiwan, South Korea, and Singapore saw significant increases.
However, the number of Chinese tourists plummeted from 754,421 in January 2019 to 415,900 in January 2024, a 44.9 percent decrease. Russian tourists also saw a significant reduction, dropping by 49.3 percent. While the decrease in Russian tourists is attributed to the ongoing conflict, the sharp decline in Chinese visitors is particularly striking, second only to Russia.
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Liang Tian, an expert on Japanese tourism and a university professor in Japan, told The Epoch Times that the significant drop in Chinese tourists to Japan is “primarily due to China’s severe economic downturn, which has led to job losses and pay cuts, reducing many people’s ability to afford international travel. Additionally, Japan’s stringent visa scrutiny for Chinese nationals has posed challenges for those wishing to visit.”
When asked about the potential impact of concerns over treated nuclear wastewater, he noted, “While it’s not a major factor, it’s also not completely irrelevant. However, most informed Chinese citizens understand that the so-called ‘nuclear wastewater’ is not harmful to human health. Social media discussions in China have shown that other countries do not amplify this issue as much, and it generally does not deter travel. … The majority are now acquainted with the facts surrounding this matter.”
Revitalizing Tourism With Innovative Health and Cultural Initiatives
In a strategic move to rejuvenate its tourism sector, the Japanese government unveiled its fourth Basic Plan for Promoting Tourism in March 2023. This ambitious plan has three pivotal strategies: fostering sustainable tourism, augmenting tourist expenditure, and directing visitors towards Japan’s picturesque rural locales. In tandem, local entities and the broader tourism sector are rolling out inventive projects aimed at drawing in international visitors.
