Foreign Visitors to Japan in April Plunge 99.9% Compared to Last Year

For the First Time Since 1964, Fewer Than 10,000 Foreign Visitors Enter Japan
Japanese Government Accelerates Designation of Additional Countries for Entry Ban
Number of Korean Visitors Drops from 560,000 in April Last Year to 300 This Year

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] Last month, the number of foreigners visiting Japan plummeted by 99.9% compared to the same period last year due to the impact of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

The Japan National Tourism Organization announced on the 20th that the number of foreign visitors to Japan in April this year was 2,900, sharply down from 2,926,685 in April last year. This result accelerated as Japan imposed entry restrictions to respond to COVID-19.

This is the first time since the related statistics began in 1964 that the number of foreign visitors to Japan did not exceed 10,000 on a monthly basis. By nationality, the number of Koreans, which was around 560,000 in April last year, dropped to 300, a 99.9% decrease. Additionally, last month, visitors from nine countries (regions) including China (200), Hong Kong (10), and Thailand (30) decreased to approximately 100% compared to last year, rounding to the second decimal place. During this period, the number of US nationals visiting Japan remained at 300, recording a 99.8% decrease.

Since March, the number of countries subject to entry restrictions into Japan has continued to increase. From the 16th, the Japanese government added 13 countries including Mexico to the list of countries banned from entry due to COVID-19, bringing the total number of countries (regions) banned from entry, including Korea and China, to 100.

The Japanese government, in principle, denies entry to foreigners who have stayed in those countries within two weeks prior to entry.

Meanwhile, from January to April this year, the number of travelers from Korea visiting Japan was 477,700, down 82.0% compared to the same period last year.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.