Japan sees record 6.26 million foreign visitors in first half of year; Taiwan overtakes South Korea for the first time

▲ Traditional streets of Kyoto. (Photo / Yu Ru)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

Riding on the wave of the yen's depreciation, more and more people have taken the opportunity to travel to Japan in recent years. According to data released by the Japan National Tourism Organization on the 23rd, the number of foreign visitors to Japan in the first half of this year (2014) exceeded 6.26 million, an increase of 26.4% compared to the same period last year. Japanese media speculate that the rise in visitors is due to factors such as the weaker yen and relaxed visa conditions.

Looking at the number of visitors from each country, South Korean tourists had been the largest group of foreign visitors to Japan since 1999, but were surpassed by Taiwan (1.39 million) for the first time this year. Moreover, the number of South Korean visitors to Japan in the first half of this year decreased by 3.3% compared to the same period last year, totaling only 1.27 million. Japanese media estimate that the main reasons for the decline include political factors as well as the impact of the April Sewol ferry sinking incident, which reduced South Koreans' willingness to travel abroad.

In addition, statistics show that the number of Chinese visitors to Japan also exceeded 1 million for the first time in the first half of this year, setting a historical record—an increase of 88.2% compared to the same period last year. Among the other 10 Asian countries and regions surveyed, including the United States, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Thailand, visitor numbers also hit all-time highs compared to the same period last year. The Japanese government estimates that the total number of visitors to Japan this year could reach 13 million, with hopes of attracting 20 million foreign visitors by 2020.

Top 5 countries by number of foreign visitors to Japan in the first half of 2014

Taiwan1.39 million
South Korea1.27 million
China1 million
United States440,000
Hong Kong420,000