Jan 16 (NHK) - The number of foreign visitors to Japan hit an all-time high last year, topping the annual record set before the coronavirus pandemic. Spending by tourists also reached a record high.
The Japan National Tourism Organization estimates more than 36.8 million foreign visitors traveled to the country in 2024.
That's 15 percent higher than the 2019 record, which was set before borders were shut due to the pandemic.
The number of tourists from the US and South Korea were each about 58 percent higher than 2019. And those from Taiwan were up 23.6 percent. But visitors from China dropped by 27.2 percent.
Separate figures show that total spending by international tourists surpassed 8 trillion yen, or 52 billion dollars.
Japan's government has set targets of attracting 60 million foreign visitors and having them spend 95 billion dollars by 2030.
"The 60 million target seems quite ambitious," said Japan Tourism Agency Commissioner Haraikawa Naoya. "But if we work together with the private sector, I believe we can achieve it."
But government officials say they need to take steps to prevent over-tourism. They also hope to attract visitors to destinations outside of the three largest metropolitan areas.
