Japan approaches annual 20 million visitors target

Japan’s aim of reaching 20 million visitors by 2020 was nearly achieved in 2015, with preliminary inbound visitor numbers indicating that by the end of December 2015 this number reached 19,737,400.

According to statistics released by Japan National Tourism Organisation (JNTO) this number represents a 47.1% increase compared to 2014 and is the highest ever recorded.

JNTO estimates that a total of 376,200 Australians travelled to Japan in 2015, a 24.3% increase from 2014. The months with the highest number of Australian visitors were January and December with 48,583 and 49,400 visitors respectively.

JNTO cites a number of contributors to the growth in visitor numbers, including JNTO’s continuous promotional efforts.

Other factors contributing to the increase in visitors from Australia include new airline routes (Qantas’ Brisbane to Narita route in August and ANA’s Sydney to Haneda route in December) along with the Japan-Australia Economic Partnership Agreement, increasing business between the two countries.

Commenting on the figures JNTO Sydney Executive Director Mariko Tatsumi stated “Australians love visiting Japan in winter, as you can see from the latest statistics.

“Our aim in 2016 is to encourage Australians to consider visiting at other times of year too, as Japan has so much to offer in autumn with the changing of the leaves and in summer with amazing festivals.”

The figures released by JNTO are based on arrivals of Australian passport holders and include business, leisure and stopover visitors.

Image: Japan's Mt Fuji.

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