Foreign Visitors to Japan This Year Surpass 30 Million... South Korea Leads with 7.2 Million

Chinese, Taiwanese, American, and Hong Kong residents in order of majority

The number of foreign visitors to Japan from January to October this year has surpassed 30 million.

On the 20th, the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) announced that since the related statistics began in 1964, this is the shortest period to exceed 30 million visitors on an annual basis. According to JNTO, the number of foreign visitors to Japan up to October this year was approximately 30.192 million. Among them, Koreans were the largest group with about 7.2 million.

Citizens dressed as Santa Claus are participating in the Santa parade held in Tokyo, Japan, on the 17th. Photo by EPA Yonhap News Agency

During this period, the number of Koreans visiting Japan increased by 30.3% compared to the same period last year. Following Koreans, the numbers were Chinese (about 5.83 million), Taiwanese (about 5.06 million), Americans (about 2.23 million), and Hong Kong residents (about 2.17 million).

The number of foreign visitors to Japan in October was 3.312 million, surpassing the 3.29 million recorded in July, marking the highest monthly figure. Among the foreign visitors last month, Koreans were again the largest group with about 732,000.

JNTO stated, "Korea had the highest number of visitors as of October due to factors such as increased regional flight routes, including charter flights to various parts of Japan, and holidays."

Meanwhile, according to the Korea Tourism Organization, the number of foreign tourists visiting Korea from January to November last year was 9.995 million, approaching 10 million. This represents a 275.9% increase compared to the same period the previous year. By market, the numbers were Japan (2.12 million), China (1.77 million), the United States (1.01 million), Taiwan (880,000), and Vietnam (390,000) in that order.