Mainland Chinese visitors to Japan tumbled 60.7 percent in January year-on-year, figures showed Wednesday, in the continued fallout from the countries' diplomatic spat.
"Last year, the lunar new year began in late January, but this year it fell in mid-February," the Japan National Tourism Organization said as it published the data.
"Additionally, the Chinese government issued a warning advising against travel to Japan. Factors such as reduced flight frequencies also contributed to the number of foreign visitors to Japan falling below the level of the same month last year," a statement said.
Previously Chinese visitors were the biggest contingent, contributing to a tourism boom in the land of cherry blossom and Mount Fuji that was fueled by a weak yen making shopping cheap.
But in January this year, South Korea was the biggest source with 1.2 million visitors, up 21.6 percent, compared with 385,300 from mainland China, down from 980,520 in January 2025.
Visitors from Hong Kong also tumbled 17.9 percent.
Overall the number of visitors to Japan fell 4.9 percent to 3.597 million in January compared to the same period last year.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggested in November that Japan could intervene militarily if Beijing sought to take Taiwan by force.
China, which regards the democratic island as part of its territory and has not ruled out force to annex it, was furious.
Beijing summoned Tokyo's ambassador and on November 14 warned Chinese citizens against visiting Japan, citing "significant risks to the personal safety and lives of Chinese citizens".
The number of Chinese visitors to Japan already tumbled 45 percent in December to 330,000.
In December, J-15 jets from China's Liaoning aircraft carrier twice locked radar on Japanese aircraft in international waters near Okinawa, according to Japan.
China also tightened controls on exports to Japan for items with potential military uses, fueling worries that Beijing may choke supplies of vital rare-earth minerals.
Japan's last two pandas were even returned to China last month.
Takaichi, 64, was seen as a China hawk before becoming Japan's first woman prime minister in October.
She won a landslide victory in snap elections on February 8, putting her in a strong position for the next four years to stamp her mark on Japanese domestic and foreign policy.
Takaichi said after her election win that Tokyo would bolster its defenses and "steadfastly protect" its territory.
She also said she was "open to various dialogues with China".
But China's foreign ministry said "genuine dialogue should be built on respect for one another".
"Proclaiming dialogue with one's mouth while engaging in confrontation -- no one will accept this kind of dialogue," foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian said Tuesday.
Beijing's top diplomat Wang Yi told the Munich Security Conference on Saturday that forces in Japan were seeking to "revive militarism".
© 2026 AFP
105 Comments
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ebisen
I think by this stage everybody is informed and nobody cries about this. We're getting the same headlines every third day or so.
Newgirlintown
Not only her comments about Taiwan, but Sanae Takaichi’s completely fabricated claim of Chinese people kicking deer in Nara doesn’t help things. Yes, there are videos of someone kicking deer, but zero evidence of their nationality.
WiseOneIn Kansai
From a viewpoint of the world, China comes across as a spoilt child, basically "A Crybaby!!"
Monty
If the Chinese people are so brainwashed that they blindely follow this stupid request from their warmongering government...OK...then do so.
Nobody here in Japan cares about that.
sakurasuki
@ebisen
Unless you are working in tourism industry everything would be just "normal".
The number is quite significant.
Will_Rendle
NewgirlintownToday 07:07 am JST
I think Takaichi is one of these people who just says whatever sounds good in her mind and doesn't worry if it's correct or true or not. Unfortunately a lot of people must be a bit dopey because it's worked out for her so far.
Gaijinjland
Did they ever find the guy in the video from a few years ago who was filmed kicking deer in Nara? At the time they said he was either Chinese or Japanese.
MarkX
Cry me a river! Just recently many people we bemoaning there were too many Chinese tourist buses in Ginza and in Kyoto, and you name the place. Now we hear they aren't coming what are we to do. Make up your minds!
When Japan went down this road of depending on foreign tourists I said to my wife that this will be bad for us, those living in Japan, as they will need to keep the yen cheap so more tourists visit, as well as making them so vulnerable to any little event that may stop tourists from coming. Let's hope there is not another pandemic that shuts down the world!
Ebisugaoka
Why are you acting like the tourism industry is reeling and on the verge of collapse because some Chinese tourists didn’t come?
Record numbers are still coming to Japan and at least this gives those poor souls in the popular cities some respite from having to fight their way into a bus for a while.
falseflagsteve
Great news, it’s been much more quieter round my manor lately, far less littler and dumped suitcases too.
Aly Rustom
Not only that- she's a stubborn old woman who will never retract a comment. Given her penchant for like you said, saying whatever feels good its a recipe for trouble in the future.
Bem David
Easy to say when you're not a business owner or worker in the tourism industry, isn't it?
Corrected for you:
*I think by this stage I am informed and I don't cry about this. *
Mark
Why would Japan’s tourism industry be indifferent to a decline in visitor numbers?
Monty, your comment reads less like a reasoned observation and more like an emotional outburst.
nickybutt
I am planning to do more domestic travel due to this news. I know other people in my work place who want to take advantage of this opportunity, too. There were/are too many tourists. Maybe other people living in Japan will do the same?
Mark
Et tu, ebisen.
Why would Japan’s tourism industry be indifferent to a decline in visitor numbers?
Longhaul
Zero evidence" of nationality? Please. Nara locals aren't stupid. We saw the record spike in injuries (111 foreigners in one year) and the abuse of our National Treasures. There’s a reason PM Takaichi stood her ground in the Diet: the Mandarin-language patrols weren't for the Swiss. If the behavior fits the reputation, own it or fix it.
Longhaul
The "slump" in certain arrivals isn't a crisis—it’s a clarification. While some claim Japan is hurting, the 2025–2026 data tells a story of a nation finally standing on its own feet.
: Breaking Records, Not Sweating Spats Despite Beijing’s travel advisories, Japan welcomed a historic 42.7 million visitors in 2025—shattering all previous records. In early 2026, even as mainland arrivals dropped, total spending hit a massive ¥9.5 trillion. Why? Because the LDP’s diversification strategy is working. We aren't reliant on one "faucet" anymore.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has made it clear: Japan’s security is not a bargaining chip. By labeling a Taiwan contingency an "existential threat," the administration chose national survival over short-term bus tour revenue. This is the "responsible, proactive" leadership voters just rewarded with a landslide victory. We don't trade sovereignty for souvenirs.
The Shift to High-Yield Tourism The LDP’s New Tourism Nation Promotion Plan is paying off. We are trading "mass-market" volume for high-spending visitors from the US, Europe, and SE Asia. These travelers aren't just here for a quick photo; they stay longer, spend more in regional areas, and respect our culture. Net result: Higher profits for Japanese businesses with less "overtourism" strain on locals.
The Peace and Quiet Dividend From the streets of Ginza to the parks of Nara, locals are noticing the difference. We are reclaiming our public spaces while the economy continues to grow at its best pace in years. If the "price" of standing up for regional peace and protecting our heritage is a "slump" in politically-weaponized tourism, then Japan is getting a bargain.
Bottom Line: Japan is open, booming, and—for the first time in decades—completely unapologetic about its security.
BigDog
theres videos online of such instances
OssanAmerica
Business owners and tourism industry hotel people are all hurting because they were making money hand over fist for the last decade from the Chinese inbound crowds.
Meantime the local people were suffering from it. Old people who rely on public transportation to survive had to put up with massive crowds with their suitcases. Commuters, students, etc.
So if thoes who were previously wallowing in money are not now, tough luck. No sympathy there.
Anyone who thinks Chinese tourists have disappeared from Japan is blind or deaf. There are still a great many individual Chinese tourists in Japan, despite Xi's efforts. But the individual travelers were never really the problem. The biggest headache was the group tours that would come in a convoy of limousine buses flooding every store and restaurant they stopped at.
OssanAmerica
She said nothing that requires retraction. To even demand it much less expect it is simply stupid beyond repair.
China needs to get off it's high horse thinking it can dictate what other country's leaders can say or do.
If China has a problem with PM Takauichi's statement then all they have to do is not invade Taiwan.
China is the country that needs to retract their claimed "right" to take Taiwan by force.
Aly Rustom
She claimed to have personally witnessed foreigners kicking deer. If you believe that then guess who is stupid beyond repair.
Nobody is saying that China isn't blowing this out of proportion. But the blame does lie with her in that she made a stupid comment. It's called diplomacy.
mii
What kind of uneducated Japanese you are ? Takaichi is already a problem for Japan, we don't need even one more! Do you think China s security is bargainable ? Think twice before you talk, or you will be asked to retract you stupid comment!
ebisen
Only the Chinese-owned companies, fully focused on catering EXCLUSIVELY to Chinese tourists cry about it. Nobody else would have issues filling up their availability (rooms, tours, etc). Everywhere you go is overfilled with tourists and you want to tell me that the industry is making losses?
mii
Tourism is gone, as simple as that.
Clayton K. Char
China's tourism boycott of Japan is a blessing in disguise. Parts of Japan are already feeling the negative effects of over tourism and the Chinese boycott is timely.
OssanAmerica
PM Takaichi statement that Japan may deploy its military if its security is threatened was made as a response to an opposition lawmaker in the course of routine Japanese domestic political process. This is a position that any nation on this planet would be expected to take.
It was not addressed to China, or Taiwan, or to any party to which the concept of "diplomacy" would apply.
It was the Chinese Consul General in Osaka Xue Jian who posted that PM Takaichi's head should be cut off. Even China itself, realizing how undiplomatic that was quickly deleted the post. This is where the blame lies. Not PM Takaichi. China did something undiplomatic, quickly erased it and turned the blame onto PM Takaichi, typical CCP behavior. Parroting this propaganda is not objective thinking.
Will_Rendle
OssanAmericaToday 09:39 am JST
Still peddling that lie?
mii
The stupidity is rampant, a reflection of education environment. It takes 3000 years for Japan to replicate ancient China, the true beauty of tourism. Now you just throw ancestors efforts away that easy? You are keep talking boycott, no such a thing. China just have its own beautiful genuine ancient architecture, everything is big and original, while Japans small and not as aesthetic. As I said, no boycott, people just find own root that is much better. The world will soon want to a part of China, like what Japan did 3000 years ago.
Aly Rustom
That's not what she said. She said an attack on Taiwan would be considered a military threat and that it would require a military response. That's quite different and your play on her words doesn't go unnoticed.
Again. Even if I were to concede that point, there is no denying that the woman is not a seasoned politician and doesn't know how to choose her words. Again its called diplomacy.
ian
Any idiot can say nonsensical things like what you're saying but if it's a leader of a nation it has consequences.
Aly Rustom
exactly! That's my point.
TheClassicDude
That is not true at all. In multiple videos you can tell they are Chinese. Some the people do not respond looking confused at the person yelling at them in Japanese, and other videos they try to run away and one lady even speaking in English when confronted.
mii
Such a small mind and small heart are real problem of Japan .
ian
Would it make a difference in your mind if you found out they were from Taiwan?
Can you tell mainlanders from the Taiwanese?
Smorrebrod
Just because the Government has a problem (for no reason), now everybody is at risk. Lol
NCIS Reruns
Just think of it as a second COVID pandemic. As tourists from China develop immunity their numbers will eventually recover.
Brian Nicholls
So far the indications are that individual Chinese tourists who organise their own trips are still coming, though perhaps in reduced numbers. However, large group tours from China seem to have dropped off. Given that these tours are organised by Chinese companies, usually fly on Chinese airlines, stay in Chinese owned hotels, and often travel on coaches owned by Chinese companies, this suggests that the Chinese government is hurting its own businesses. An own goal, I would say.
Bem David
Convenient to ignore the facts, isn't it?
It's not trivial. If this continues or worsens, it will have a measurable impact on Japan’s tourism sector.
Japan tourist arrivals in January mark first fall in four years
By Hina Suzuki and Kaori Kaneko - Reuters
February 18
Tourism makes up around 7% of Japan’s overall GDP, and China has been a significant source.
"Some businesses especially travel agencies and transport services focused on China, report noticeable strain."
kokontozai
According to today's Nikkei newspaper, while the number of visitors to Japan is declining, the amount spent by foreign visitors using a certain credit card company's cards is increasing. Even if Chinese visitors prefer QR code payments, it is possible that the total amount spent by foreign visitors to Japan is rising. Moreover, Chinese visitors to Japan tend to spend within the Chinese economic sphere in Japan, meaning the benefits to Japanese people are even smaller. However, despite the call to suspend travel, Chinese visitors to Japan deserve respect.
stormcrow
I know a lot of Japanese who’re OK with fewer Chinese visiting Japan.
quercetum
It’s not what Takaichi said but what she means. The ignorant take the literal meaning of fighting for survival. The cunning uses the literal statement to disguise Japan’s real intentions and gaslight.
① Japan Weak and Backtracking
Takaichi said that a Chinese use of force against Taiwan could constitute “a survival‑threatening situation” for Japan — meaning Japan might need to consider the use of force in response.
We support Taiwan if China invades but we cannot say that so we’ll say we have to defend for our survival.
② Japan Strong and Formidable
If the Chinese used force against Taiwan, Japan could or would intervene militarily.
If it were the latter, the Chinese would respect Japan. Clear intentions and forewarning.
As Aly Rustom pointed out, there is often deliberate gaslighting and intentional false interpretations in the comments.
The right wing in Japan know they cannot depend on the US and wishes to manufacture their own weapons instead of importing from the US. Taiwan falling into the hands of China presents a great security threat but Japan is also restrained by the US. Military revival offers an answer to these two issues.
quercetum
This arguments says the revenue goes to Chinese run stores more instead of the Japanese but businesses pay taxes regardless of management's ethnicity, Japanese or not. The loss of billions of dollars and trillions of yen based on Japanese estimates refutes this.
Unless Chinese tourists' absence (some 61%) caused the increase in spending by foreigners using a certain credit card company, it is still a loss of revenue. Whether those foreigners increased or decreased their spending does not affect the loss of revenue of Chinese tourists unless you can show the causal relationship.
Redtail Swift
This is the victory Japan wanted, correct?
As a faithful JapanToday reader, I've read the countless articles about over-tourism. Local Japanese businesses complained, built walls so they couldn't see Mt. Fuji. Or how about shutting down the Cherry Blossom festivals? Remember that?
On YouTube, a massive campaign of influencers flooded the algorithms with hit pieces about foreign tourism and how it was negatively affecting life in Japan.
Some of it was true, some of it exaggerated like a rapper claiming he lives a thug life. But here we are.
Victory
So, my only question is, now that you got what you wished for, how's your economy? How's your profit report?
"It is the green-eyed monster that doth mocketh it's prey". Maybe focus on making the Japanese Yen a bit more balanced.
Longhaul
"It’s funny how whenever a leader actually puts their own country’s interests first, people like this crawl out of the woodwork to call the voters ‘dopey.’ Calling the first female PM in Japanese history ‘stubborn’ for having a backbone is such a tired, gendered double standard. If she were a man, you’d be calling her ‘decisive.’
You claim she just says ‘whatever sounds good,’ but her 70%+ approval rating and a literal supermajority suggests she’s saying exactly what the Japanese public has been waiting to hear for a decade. People aren't 'dopey'; they're tired of 'strategic lethargy' while the regional security situation gets more volatile by the day.
As for 'never retracting a comment'—good. We’ve had decades of 'apology diplomacy' that got Japan exactly nowhere with its neighbors. Takaichi isn't 'stubborn'; she’s consistent. If you think clarity and strength are a 'recipe for trouble,' you’ve probably spent too much time in an echo chamber and not enough time looking at the actual mandate she just won from the people who actually live here. Stay mad, but the 'Iron Lady' isn't going anywhere."
Longhaul
"You’re talking about ‘consequences’ like we haven’t been living through the consequences of weakness for the last thirty years. What’s actually ‘nonsensical’ is the idea that Japan should just keep staying quiet while its sovereignty is tested every single day.
You call it ‘nonsense,’ but the markets and the voters call it Sanaenomics 2.0. Since she took office, we’ve seen the first real wage growth in a generation and a massive pivot toward domestic supply chain security. Those are the 'consequences' people actually care about—not whether or not a few foreign op-ed writers are offended by her tone.
The world has changed. The ‘play it safe’ era ended when the regional security balance shifted. Takaichi isn’t ‘saying things’ for the sake of it; she’s signaling that the days of Japan being a passive observer of its own fate are over. If having a leader who prioritizes national strength over ‘not making waves’ is your definition of an idiot, then you clearly haven't been paying attention to the global map lately. Japan is finally playing the game, and you're just mad she’s not following your script."
kurisupisu
Another reason not mentioned here is that on Chinese broadcasting, there are multiple videos of Chinese been assaulted in Japan.
Whether these are staged or real isnot the point. The point is that the Chinese see the hatred expressed and they cancel plans to come to Japan.
However, I noticed Chinese riding the trains and pulling suitcases around just not in the numbers that we are used to seeing.
Aly Rustom
How has she put her country's interests first? by picking a fight with China?
So just because she is a female PM she gets treated with kid gloves? Who's the one with the double standard?
Same can be said of Trump. Look how that turned out.
If that's the case then they should have voted for the opposition party- heck vote for the communist party. What you don't do if you are tired of the same old thing is elect a woman who is basically Abe in heels and lipstick.
No you haven't. You've had decades of politicians denying atrocities in WW2 and deliberate antagonizing visits to Yasukuni just to appease the right here and upset the neighbors even more. Apology diplomacy is a myth. Japan didn't have any of that.
She's stubborn. And it shows.
She has shown neither clarity nor strength. No matter what verbal gymnastics you try to come with. Facts are facts.
She will. When people see that her "strength" has done NOTHING positive for the economy and she loses popularity, either her own party will force her out or the opposition will win. Just a matter of time.
fallaffel
Most of these are likely Chinese-run, so they can thank their dear leader.
Aly Rustom
Japan sovereignty is not being tested. In case you didn’t get the memo, Taiwan is not a part of Japan. It’s just your ibag lady trying to talk tough that’s all.
Actually, most analysts call it is Abenomics with a twist. Let’s not forget she is a protégé of Abe. So all we can expect from her is more of the same, which is why Japan’s economy is in freefall in the first place.
all the more reason to play safe and keep your mouth shut. But that’s something neither you, nor Sanae seem to understand.
of course she is. She pandering to her base of right wing followers.
oh please. Cut the melodrama.
if you think that national strength means you talk, tough than run around and hide right behind your big buddy the United States, that you have no clue about what real strength means.
the only person who’s mad on this forum is you. And that doesn’t surprise me as most of you right wingers are like that.
mii
Completely nonsense. It has nothing to do with first female PM, that only in Japan hyped by media. It is quality that should be examined. China had first empress two thousand years ago, yet was not hyped in any way but praised for her quality of management. China never has a official hired for high ratings. That is totally cheating. If you want to be hired. Show your quality, as simple as that. Even if you are a Japanese, if you're qualified you are hired, even 2000 years ago, and you can work by the side of emperor, or send to Vietnam, then also a part of China.
I don't know who is your teacher, you have a lot of things to learn.
HopeSpringsEternal
Likely spend fell a lot more than 4.9%, probably double that, but even a 10% drop in foreign tourism spend for 2026 will not make or break Japan's economy, more or less a rounding error, but sadly Japan has few positive growth catalysts, so economic outlook thus worsening
Big question is how much does the China tourism 'spat' spill over into other sectors of the economy? That's where things start to get very tricky
mii
You can't have a high quality leader in a low quality country.
Will_Rendle
Longhaul
Today 11:54 am JST
I saw this and didn't bother with the rest of your essay. It's incredibly patronising to assume that you know what someone would say better than they do themselves.
itsonlyrocknroll
Oh please!!!
For a decade now, despot dictator Xi Jinping, the government of China’s blatantly uses trade weaponization/economic coercion to leverage a dominant market position, from supply chain control, now Japan tourism, fishing industry, all regulatory tools to aggressively pressure Japan government to align with its political reginal security objectives.
Military bullying coercion.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has, must continue to stand firm, take no lectures from China genocidal regime.
Build unity with regional democracies, South Korean government etc.
mii
The stupidity has no sky. Why only democrazies ? Let alone Japan is not Democratic neighbor by all standard definition.
ian
Because democracies are good.
They can bomb, invade, murder , genocide all the countries and people they want but they're still good because they are a democracy.
Will_Rendle
itsonlyrocknroll
Today 12:50 pm JST
She will only "stand firm" as long as she thinks she can count on the USA to back her up. That's the only thing that makes right-wing Japanese politicians brave.
Maybe if Japan had tried to build more unity with China the Chinese government would be a bit less brutal and despotic. Instead it seems Japan was happy for the CCP to be as horrible as it wanted as long as Japanese businesses could make money in China.
OssanAmerica
"China's Consul General in Osaka, Xue Jian, who shared a news article about Takaichi's remarks and commented: "The dirty head that sticks itself in must be cut off".
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/china-urges-japan-pm-retract-egregious-remarks-taiwan-2025-11-13/
HopeSpringsEternal
So, the 'glass half full' argument goes something like this
Many more JNs and residents to now travel because they're 60% fewer Chinese tourists, ditto other tourists from abroad, so domestic tourism industry largely '$unscathed'. It's not the base case but possible!
OssanAmerica
That they are fake is very much the point. That's how you run an autocracy, brainwash the people with false information and control what they think.
itsonlyrocknroll
Will_Rendle
The government of China has an exploitative mindset, geared to maximizing long term economic Japan dependency, tourism, seafood, at the same time operating a model that refuses to obey even the basic rules based legal boundaries.
WTO is fully aware of China’s government long-term subsidies, even the most favourable estimates are beyond ~4% of GDP, all to drive a ruthless industrial policy, focusing on EVs, green tech, AI, to secure global market dominance, in essence a "dual circulation" strategy.
The government of China’s insists on technology transfer both trade/administrative, designed to foster domestic innovation, requirements for foreign firms to share technology to offer market access. intellectual property thief.
It is impossible to build unity without the trust, from rules based trading "practices"
stick_out_nail
that is just your view. world does not see it that way.
and this is perfectly said.
grc
ebisen - you are so wrong. The consequences of Takaichi’s remarks need to be remembered, not swept under the carpet simply because they’re uncomfortable. And anyway, tourist numbers have long been a huge and frequent story in the Japanese media as I’m sure all here will agree
Vanillasludge
And here we are all arguing over a bunch of propaganda from every side of the story.
Both governments want to keep the chumps (public) fighting over a bunch of stuff we didn’t see or experience themselves.
If we all based our stereotypes on what we personally experienced vs a bunch of media nonsense we’d be a lot better off
Great Bird
The badly behaved Chinese tourist is of course a generalization. A minority is. The majority isn't.
Ok...
Contradicted in the same post. Just throw everything and hope something sticks seems to be the tactic here? Which is it, who are the "troublemakers", the individual tourists (that are indeed still here) or the tour groups (that are mostly not coming anymore)?
As for public transportation, that is not only over tourism but also "under-service". Not enough bus drivers in Kyoto.
In general... too much "since China is bad, Japan must be right" logic here. China under Xi has indeed regressed, (not that it was a great country full of freedom before..) that doesn't mean Japan, in this case Takaichi is right. She made a gaffe. China as usual overreacts. And of course she can't take it back, that has nothing to do with her being stubborn, that's just politically impossible.
Longhaul
The claim that tourism is 7% of Japan’s GDP overstates the influence of foreign visitors. That 7% represents the total economic impact, which is dominated by the Japanese themselves.
The Real Breakdown
Domestic Tourism (~5.2% of GDP): The true backbone. Japanese residents traveling within their own country account for roughly 70–75% of all tourism spending.
Inbound Tourism (~1.8% of GDP): While high-profile, all foreign visitors combined (from the US, SE Asia, Europe, and China) contribute less than 2% to the national GDP.
Moderator
Readers, when posting comments like this, please list sources, especially of you have used AI.
Longhaul
Imagine calling the world’s 4th largest economy, the global standard for infrastructure, and the literal blueprint for social stability a "low quality country."
If Japan is "low quality," then the rest of the world is a dumpster fire.
The Reality Check:
Infrastructure: Your home country probably can’t even run a bus on time; Japan runs a national high-speed rail network with a margin of error in seconds.
Safety: You can walk through Tokyo at 3 AM with a Rolex on and the only thing that’ll happen is you’ll find a clean public toilet.
Economic Muscle: Tourism is hitting records (¥10T+ in 2026) because the world is literally desperate to experience this "low quality" life.
Social Capital: Low crime, zero urban decay, and a healthcare system that doesn't bankrupt you for an aspirin.
Calling Japan "low quality" is the ultimate "Gaijin Bubble" take. You’re enjoying the perks of a high-trust society while complaining that it doesn't bend to your specific brand of entitlement.
If the "quality" is so low, why are you still here? The departures gate at Narita is high-quality, high-speed, and open 24/7.
Aly Rustom
ThePunisher- well said. Agree completely
OssanAmerica
As well as foreign residents and tourists from other countries.
Gambi
I’m always a bit surprised by how many foreign tourists come to visit Fuji-san. So many of them take buses up to Fuji-san’s Fifth Station (Shin Go-gome). From there, the mountain’s top looks uninspiring. The view down on the lake is great though. Then they buy some standard omiyage and head back down on their buses. It doesn’t feel like a real experience. I am sorry for them.
Will_Rendle
OssanAmerica
Today 01:53 pm JST
Can you not post links to articles behind paywalls, please.
Why was this the Japanese government's response? It looks like you have decided that what you think the remarks mean is what they do actually mean, and that may not be the case. Therefore continually alleging that the Chinese Consul General threatened the PM directly is misleading and dishonest.
Will_Rendle
itsonlyrocknrollToday 02:36 pm JST
I don't think the Japanese government or Japanese businesses are any better. They find other ways to be exploitative and corrupt.
itsonlyrocknroll
Will_Rendle
I agree it is not as simple as putting pen to paper and somehow it all magically makes sense.
Agent_Neo
China is the only country to condemn Prime Minister Takaichi's remarks. Which other countries have called for her to retract them?
Regarding the situation that threatens Japan's existence, it is Japan's decision, and China's remarks amount to mere interference in its internal affairs.
More problematic is this Twitter post by Xue Jian, the Chinese Consul General in Osaka, regarding Prime Minister Takaichi. The Chinese government's tacit approval of these remarks is a diplomatic issue in the first place.
https://japanese.joins.com/JArticle/340881?sectcode=A00&servcode=A00
All Japanese media outlets, including the Japanese edition of the Korean newspaper JoongAng Ilbo, have reported on this, and even if she retracts her remarks, she cannot escape responsibility. Persona non grata!
itsonlyrocknroll
Japan Tourism Statistics… from reliable J Gov. source
https://statistics.jnto.go.jp/en/graph/
Including graphs breakdowns, travel expenditure per capita, all the trend etc
AI scrapes far and wide, some suspect sources.
mii
What an idiot. China is the only country threatened by Takaichi. Japan is lucky to have china as a neighbor. If you threaten other superpower countries with such wrong statement, you will get very different responses, much hush than condemn.
ian
Even if tourists from China continue to decrease total number of visitors will pickup and grow overall. Present decline is due to sudden mass cancellations so there was not enough time to fill in the gap.
Loss in revenue if any will be the difference in spending
mii
What attitude problem do you have ? Where it said Japan low quality? My neighbor is very rich , a billionaire, but he was child offender, and indicted for human trafficking . You would not call him a high quality, would you?
theonlyherb
On european travel (deal) sites and discussion forums people literally already cite the drop of chinese tourists as reason to travel to Japan now.
Regular cheap flight offers from chinese airlines partially get shunned because many flights were cancelled and plenty people ended up with schedule problems or having to pay more.
Leading to people actually choosing more expensive non chin. airlines.
So in the end from afar it seems the lack of chinese tourists will certainly picked up by others in the long run. As well as chinese airlines and their image suffering collateral damage from china's political decisions.
syniksan
Sensational news!
WoodyLee
Is this a replay or what, old news .
we read this few days ago.
Only businesses will suffer, many are actually happy.
mii
Really? Than thanks china for the happiness.
Santiago
No, PM Takaichi threatened no country. She spoke only about the security of her own country. Made no mention whatsoever of any other country.
That China may "feel" threatened is their problem and insecurity.
Kaowaiinekochanknaw
There are about 5.5m people working in the tourism sector in Japan.
That's a lot of people reliant on the employment that it bestows.
When there is a large chunk of money not coming in it affects everyone in the sector and the larger economy.
Less profits for businesses.
Less bonus income for workers.
Less shifts for employees.
Less shifts and income for students and single mothers in part time employment.
These business and workers having less money means they spend less on other sectors in society.
Businesses order less food for their resturants or shops, less cleaning services for hotels, less massage workers getting clients, less transport companies have jobs to bring supplies.
Employees having less income means they buy less at the supermarket. Buy less at Uniqlo. Buy less at a local izakaya or local resturant. Kids don't get bought that new toy or game.
This affects the whole society and when you have set up needing tourism as a major part of your economy - You need to be welcoming. And respectful.
Guests stop coming when the hosts are surly and the parties are lame and rigid.
xin xin
well, chinese tourists on the average behave less well and its true. 60% of them are still coming and thats quite enough. other countries are sending more, such as Taiwan, Hong Kong and Viernam.
isabelle
No, she said what OssanAmerica wrote:
https://www.asahi.com/articles/ASTC722TVTC7UQIP04NM.html
「戦艦を使って、武力の行使も伴うものであれば、これはどう考えても存立危機事態になりうるケースだと私は考える」
「それを防ぐために武力行使も想定される」
It doesn't matter that Taiwan isn't part of Japan, and no-one is asserting that. What matters is that it would constitute a survival-threatening situation for Japan, just as she said.
If China took Taiwan, it would control Japan's Sea Lines of Communication, together with most of its energy imports, and much of its trade. And that's before you even consider things like:
1) China would be able to hold trillions in world trade to ransom, plus control the world's most advanced semi-conductors
2) The human and moral element of an autocratic state invading a peaceful country (which certain posters on JT actively support)
commanteer
I think you are spending a bit too much time in the news. This is one article written by one person. It doesn't reflect all of Japan, just like before when people were complaining about tour buses. It's just one article, and maybe a few people. Just like in the winter, when the news says it's too cold, and then in the summer the news says it's too hot. It doesn't mean anything.
The vast majority of Japan doesn't care about this one way or the other, and to the degree that they do, most are happy that places are quieter without the disruptive Chinese tourists.
Nifty
The current tone toward all foreigners that we read about in this news source and others can't be described as welcoming. Also, whatever the reason, a lot of the bad press seems to be directed at Chinese tourists more than other tourists. Whatever is happening in politics, if higher tourist numbers are desired (Are they?), guests need to feel welcome.
isabelle
She said it could be survival-threatening for Japan. That is correct, and there is no gaslighting involved.
Yes, there certainly is -- and it all comes from the pro-China posters.
Japan already manufactures plenty of its own weapons, including aircraft and ships.
Your assertion is nonsense.
isabelle
Blaming Japan for China's brutal despotism is pretty silly, even for you.
isabelle
No, it isn't. As simple as that.
Don't know whether to laugh or cry here.
Your Emperor may be able to make you believe this, but I'm afraid such comments just don't work here in the free world.
Taiwan is part of the Republic of China, and has been for the past eighty years.
It has never been part of your "People's" [sic] Republic of China at any point in history.
Mark
OssanAmerica 09:05 am JST
When waves of Chinese tourists were pouring into Japan—overwhelming infrastructure and crowding out local life—you dismissed overtourism as a myth and applauded the revenue.
At that time, you never once voiced concern for the suffering of “old people who rely on public transportation to survive.”
In the future, when the Chinese tourists and their money return, I have little doubt your principles will shift just as quickly.
ian
What hahahaha
China is Japan's biggest trading partner is it not? And many if not most other countries?
China is gonna block their trade with Japan and the rest of the world ?
ian
Taiwan is part of it's government? That's seens messed up
You misunderstand, Taiwan is part of China. And the current govt in Taiwan claims it is the ruler not just of Taiwan but the whole of China.
Well of course the govt in the mainland also claims it's the rightful govt of the whole country
lostrune2
That's not bad actually - if Chinese are down 60.7% and Hong Kongise down 17.9%, but overall is down just 4.9%, that means other countries almost made up the difference
Japanese businesses are already pivoting to other international customers - changing their menu, redesigning their rooms, etc.
Chinese visitors tend to stay just for a weekend (since Japan is nearby, they treat it as a weekend trip), but other visitors tend to stay a week or longer (since Japan is farther away, it's kinda like an once-in-a-lifetime trip where they have to maximize and do as much as they can and not leave anything on the table)
isabelle
If China controls Taiwan, it could block anything it likes (such as Japan's trade with all nations other than China).
That is the very definition of a "survival-threatening situation."
This is the assessment of the Japanese government itself, and countless analysts. They certainly aren't laughing.
And neither would the Japan-residing pro-CCP posters be laughing when their electricity goes off, and they can't get sufficient food or medicines.
isabelle
If by "China" you mean the PRC, it isn't. That is an indisputable fact.
No, the current DPP government does not claim the mainland.
It has stated many times that Taiwan is a sovereign, independent, democratic nation:
...
https://english.president.gov.tw/News/6919
The moment when Taiwan’s first democratically elected president took the oath of office in 1996 sent a message to the international community, that Taiwan is a sovereign, independent, democratic nation. Among people here and in the international community, some call this land the Republic of China, some call it Taiwan, and some, the Republic of China Taiwan. The Republic of China and the People’s Republic of China are not subordinate to each other, and Taiwan resists any annexation or encroachment upon our sovereignty. The future of the Republic of China Taiwan must be decided by its 23 million people.
mii
That is why they are defined as terrorism separatist.
Sumud
What makes the most sense for Japan - economically, logistically, and commercially - is to keep doing business with China, the continent’s leading economic powerhouse and its most natural trading outlet.
What you see in these forums, instead, is the usual chorus of voices seemingly intent on nudging countries closer to war. A curious enthusiasm, especially since that outcome happens to align neatly with what Tokyo’s main ally overseas has long been urging. And it’s a real shame that this kind of commentary is given so much oxygen. As if the world has non seen enough conflicts and wars already
isabelle
The only party threatening war here is China: on peaceful Taiwan.
And the only posters that support such a war are the pro-CCP ones.
It has. So, it's a great shame that China is threatening even more.
yakyak
If China were to take Taiwan, it wouldn’t automatically reshape the world overnight. The United States might choose restraint over direct intervention, and Japan could decide against taking decisive action.
All the dramatic rhetoric and chest-thumping may serve another purpose: keeping the public distracted and divided while significant policies are quietly advanced behind the scenes.
Pongo
A spat begun by.....?
kaimycahl
Its not that the Chinese citizens don't want to visit Japan its the Crazy Chinese Politicians CCP that is preventing travel to Japan.
KP
But the PRCs have also increased their imports of Japanese products... So it seems like a fair trade...