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THE NUMBER of foreign tourists to Japan, particularly from China, has dropped by more than half following the deterioration of bilateral relations between the two countries.
Kyodo reported on Wednesday (07/15), 2026 local time that Chinese tourists declined 56.4% year-on-year to 2.06 million. Overall, foreign visitors to Japan fell 2.0% year-on-year to 21.1 million in the first six months of 2026.
While visits to Japan from South Korea, Taiwan, and the United States increased in the first half of the year, the total number of foreign visitors in June alone reached 3.15 million, a 6.8 percent decrease compared to the previous year, according to the Japan National Tourism Organization.
Bilateral relations between the two countries deteriorated after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi became involved in the emergency situation in Taiwan in early November of last year.
Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae said his statement on China’s use of military force against Taiwan could “create a situation that threatens Japan’s survival.” Later, in a meeting with Japan’s lower house of parliament, Prime Minister Takaichi reiterated that this was the government’s official position and would not withdraw the statement.
The Chinese government then advised citizens to avoid traveling to Japan following Sanae’s statement. Beijing claims the self-governing island as part of its territory and aims to control it, by force if necessary.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry urged Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae to withdraw his statement on China’s use of military force against Taiwan, which could create a situation that threatens Japan. [antaranews]
