TOKYO (Kyodo) -- A record-high 2,081,800 foreigners visited Japan in April, a government estimate showed Wednesday, shattering the previous single-month record set in March as the cherry blossom viewing season attracted more tourists from overseas.
Japan has been experiencing a boom in foreign tourist arrivals, helped by such government steps as expanded tax-free shopping and easing of visa rules. But the earthquake disaster that hit the southwestern Japan region of Kumamoto last month is feared to affect the trend.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe plans to support tourism in the Kyushu region by using state funds to subsidize the issuance of discount accommodation vouchers as well as stepped up marketing targeting overseas tourists, who have given a significant boost to retail sales in Japan.
In March, the number of foreign visitors topped two million for the first time, according to the Japan National Tourism Organization.
For the four months through April, the number hit 7,834,600, up 32.9 percent from the same period last year, the JNTO said.
By country and region, the largest number of foreign visitors arriving in April came from China (514,900), followed by Taiwan (384,200) and South Korea (353,700).
So....China and South Korean governments are constantly criticising Japan while their citizens go there for a good time? One of lifes little humorous commentaries.
Japan has been experiencing a boom in foreign tourist arrivals, helped by such government steps as expanded tax-free shopping and easing of visa rules. But the earthquake disaster that hit the southwestern Japan region of Kumamoto last month is feared to affect the trend.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe plans to support tourism in the Kyushu region by using state funds to subsidize the issuance of discount accommodation vouchers as well as stepped up marketing targeting overseas tourists, who have given a significant boost to retail sales in Japan.
In March, the number of foreign visitors topped two million for the first time, according to the Japan National Tourism Organization.
For the four months through April, the number hit 7,834,600, up 32.9 percent from the same period last year, the JNTO said.
By country and region, the largest number of foreign visitors arriving in April came from China (514,900), followed by Taiwan (384,200) and South Korea (353,700).
So....China and South Korean governments are constantly criticising Japan while their citizens go there for a good time? One of lifes little humorous commentaries.
