According to Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), the number of foreign visitors to Japan in September 2014 (preliminary figure) was 1.10 million, an increase of 26.8% compared with the same month last year. It was the highest monthly figure for September exceeding the previous record high by 0.23 million; the former record was 0.91 million accomplished in 2013. Also, foreign visitors to Japan exceeded 1 million for 7 consecutive months since March 2014. The total number of the foreign visitors from January to September 2014 was 9.74 million, an increase of 26.0% compared with the same period last year.
Looking at the visitors by individual countries and areas, the number of visitors from China topped with 0.25 million, an increase of 57.6% compared with the same month last year. Also, the total number of the Chinese visitors from January to September 2014 was 1.79 million, an increase of 79.8% compared with the same period last year, showing the strength of the market. The number of the visitors from Korea was 0.22 million, an increase of 32.3% compared with the same month last year and exceeding the figure from the previous year for 3 months in a row. The total number of the Korean visitors from January to September 2014 also turned upward to be 2.7% increase compared with the same period last year.
Concerning the total number of the visitors from January to September 2014, Taiwan ranked the 1st with 2.13 million and 27.0% increase. Detailed figures for each market are shown below.
JNTO remarked that some of the factors attributed to the continuous growth of the foreign visitors were: continuous promotions to attract foreign tourists to Japan, increase in the available flight seats because of increased flights and new flight services, and large cruise ships called at Japanese ports.
(Travel Voice Editorial Department)
