The number of Chinese tourists visiting Japan saw a dramatic decrease of 45.2 per cent in February compared to the same period last year, according to official statistics released on Wednesday. This downturn represents the third month in a row that arrivals from mainland China have faltered, as a persistent diplomatic dispute between the two countries continues to reshape regional travel trends. Data from the Japan National Tourism Organisation (JNTO) confirmed that only 396,400 visitors from the mainland entered Japan last month, a significant drop for a market that once served as the nation’s primary source of tourism.
In a notable shift in market dynamics, South Korea has officially surpassed China as the leading source of international visitors to Japan. South Korean arrivals surged by 28.2 per cent to reach 1.1 million in February, maintaining the top position it also held throughout January. Despite the slump in Chinese numbers, Japan’s broader tourism sector showed resilience, with 18 countries and regions—including Taiwan and the United States—reporting record-breaking visitor figures for the month of February.
The JNTO observed that the timing of the Lunar New Year in mid-February played a crucial role in bolstering travel demand from other parts of East Asia, helping to offset the seasonal low period. However, the recovery remains uneven due to the strained relations between Tokyo and Beijing, which deteriorated sharply following comments made by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in November. The Prime Minister’s suggestion of potential military intervention regarding Taiwan sparked a fierce diplomatic backlash from the Chinese government.
Following those remarks, Beijing summoned the Japanese ambassador and issued travel warnings to its citizens, which led to immediate and sharp declines in visitor numbers during December and January. While Japan struggles to regain its Chinese domestic market, neighbouring destinations appear to be benefitting from the shift in travel preferences. South Korea saw a rise in Chinese visitors to 418,703 in January, while Thailand also reported a steady increase in Chinese arrivals during the first two months of the year.
As the highly anticipated cherry blossom season draws near in late March, local industry sentiment remains mixed regarding a potential recovery. Some media reports suggest the downward trend in Chinese tourism is likely to persist through the spring festivities. A hotel located in the Tokyo Bay area informed AFP that its Chinese guest bookings had halved since the diplomatic row began in November, although several other establishments noted that they have yet to experience a significant impact on their overall occupancy rates.
