Japan Sees Record 3.31 Million Visitors in October

Japan welcomed a record 3.31 million foreign visitors in October, driven by vibrant autumn foliage and a weakened yen, according to the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO). This figure surpasses the previous high of 3.29 million in July and marks a significant year-over-year increase of 31.6%. By the end of October, the total number of tourists for the year reached approximately 30.2 million, nearing the pre-pandemic record of 31.9 million set in 2019. Notably, visitors from South Korea, China, and Taiwan contributed significantly to the surge, with China seeing a more than doubling of arrivals compared to last year. The influx of tourists has resulted in record spending, with foreign visitors spending approximately 5.86 trillion yen ($37.72 billion) through September, indicating tourism is on track to become Japan's second-largest export sector. The Japan Tourism Agency remains optimistic about sustaining this positive trend into the coming months.