Expansion of Overseas Travel, Inbound Tourism and Global Tourism Demand

「Against a backdrop in which the number of inbound visitors was below the previous year by approximately 5%」

「Inbound visitors during the same period totaled 21,084,800, down 2.0% year on year, but exceeded 20 million cumulatively in the first half for the second consecutive year. In the overseas travel market, amid signs that travelers were shifting toward nearby Asian destinations due to the historically weak yen and high prices, diversification of connecting flights and new routes provided support. The number of Japanese nationals departing the country during the same period increased 5.1% year on year to 6,944,600, maintaining a gradual but steady recovery trend.」

「As a result, inbound visitors totaled 10,683,500 during the period, up 1.4% year on year, exceeding 10 million in cumulative first-quarter visitors for the second consecutive year. Meanwhile, although the overseas travel market was constrained by high prices at destinations, the continued depreciation of the yen and flight-route changes associated with the situation in Ukraine, the diversification of connecting flights and new routes provided support. The number of Japanese nationals departing the country totaled 3,684,900, up 4.8% year on year, maintaining a gradual but steady recovery trend.」

「Inbound visitors during the consolidated fiscal year totaled 42,683,600, up 15.8% year on year. This exceeded the previous record set in 2024 by more than 5.8 million and surpassed 42 million for the first time, setting a new all-time annual record. In the overseas travel market, the number of Japanese nationals departing the country increased 13.3% year on year to 14,731,500 despite the impact of economic factors including high prices at destinations and the continued trend toward a weaker yen, maintaining a steady recovery trend.」

「Inbound visitors during the six-month interim consolidated accounting period increased 21.0% year on year to 21.51 million, exceeding 20 million within 6 months, the fastest pace on record. The overseas travel market continued to recover gradually despite economic factors including higher prices at destinations, the weaker yen and higher fuel costs, as well as the impact of deteriorating public safety amid an unstable international situation. The number of Japanese nationals departing the country increased 14.0% year on year to 6.60 million.」

「In December, many markets saw stronger travel demand associated with school holidays, Christmas and the year-end/New Year period. Inbound visitors totaled 3,489,800, up 27.6% year on year, a record high for a single month and the first time since statistics began in 1964 that the monthly total exceeded 3.4 million. Annual inbound visitors in 2024 totaled 36,869,900, up 47.1% year on year, setting a new annual record.」

「Inbound visitors totaled 3,135,600 in June, up 51.2% year on year and 8.9% from June 2019. This was a record high for a single month, while the first-half cumulative total of 17,777,200 was also a record, exceeding the previous record set in the first half of 2019 by more than 1 million. The number of Japanese nationals departing the country increased 60.4% year on year to 5.79 million, but remained 39.2% below fiscal 2019 levels, partly because the number of flights had not returned to pre-pandemic levels, contributing to higher airfares. Overseas travel therefore continued to show only a gradual recovery.」

「Against this economic backdrop, the travel industry, which is the target market for our services, has seen demand recover rapidly since the second half of the previous year. In particular, inbound visitors totaled 3,081,600 in March 2024, up 69.5% year on year and 11.6% from March 2019. In addition to stronger inbound demand during the spring cherry-blossom season, Easter holidays began in late March this year, driving the monthly total to a record high and above 3 million for the first time. Increases in visitors from Taiwan, the Philippines and the United States were among the factors supporting the growth. The number of Japanese nationals departing the country increased 81.3% year on year to 3.03 million, but remained 38.2% below fiscal 2019 levels and continued to show only a gradual recovery. (Source: Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO))」

「The number of Japanese nationals departing the country from January to September 2023 increased 316.7% from the same period of 2022 to 6.71 million, rising substantially as international scheduled flights recovered to 60% of pre-pandemic levels as of the summer schedule and additional and resumed flights continued, particularly in East Asia. By region, inbound visitors continued to increase markedly, including from Southeast Asia, particularly Singapore. In Europe, the United States, Australia and the Middle East, the United States and Canada in particular recovered above the levels recorded in the same month of 2019. The number of inbound visitors increased 1,588.9% year on year to 17.37 million, likewise substantially exceeding the number of Japanese nationals traveling overseas and approaching pre-COVID-19 levels.」

「The travel industry, which is the target market for our services, had been significantly affected by the spread of COVID-19, but demand had gradually begun to recover from the second half of the previous year. Against this backdrop, Japan lifted its travel restrictions on 29 April, and the number of Japanese nationals departing the country from January to June 2023 increased 476.1% year on year to 3.61 million. The number of international scheduled flights to and from Japan recovered to approximately 60% of pre-pandemic levels, driving a substantial increase. In addition, based on the new Basic Plan for the Promotion of a Tourism-Oriented Nation approved by the Cabinet on 31 March 2023 and other measures, the abolition of entry restrictions from October 2022 and continued increases and resumptions of flights, particularly in East Asia, led to increases from Asian markets including South Korea and Singapore. In Europe, the United States, Australia and the Middle East, inbound visitors also continued to increase markedly, with the United States and Australia in particular recovering above the levels recorded in the same month of 2019. The number of inbound visitors increased 2,010.2% year on year to 10.71 million, likewise substantially exceeding the number of Japanese nationals traveling overseas.」

「The number of Japanese nationals departing the country from January to March 2023 increased 769.8% year on year to 1.67 million, rising sharply as many countries eased travel restrictions, stay-at-home orders and other measures. The abolition of entry restrictions from October 2022, easing of border-control measures and the resumption of cruise-ship operations also drove a substantial increase in inbound visitors, which rose 4,661.4% year on year to 4.79 million, likewise well above the number of Japanese nationals departing the country.」

「The number of Japanese nationals departing the country in 2022 increased 441.1% year on year to 2.77 million, with a particularly pronounced increase in the second half as countries accelerated moves to ease or abolish entry restrictions imposed in response to the global spread of COVID-19. The number of inbound visitors also increased 1,458.6% year on year to 3.83 million. The resumption in September of accepting package tours for foreign tourists without tour conductors and the abolition of the requirement for vaccinated travelers to present negative test certificates helped drive the increase. Inbound visitors totaled 1.37 million in December 2022, exceeding 1 million for the first time in 2 years and 10 months.」

「The number of Japanese nationals departing the country from January to September 2022 increased 346.6% year on year to 1.61 million, with a particularly pronounced increase from July onward as countries accelerated moves to ease or abolish entry restrictions imposed in response to the global spread of COVID-19. The number of inbound visitors also increased 438.5% year on year to 1.03 million. The resumption in September of accepting package tours for foreign tourists without tour conductors and the abolition of the requirement for vaccinated travelers to present negative test certificates helped drive the increase. Inbound visitors totaled 206,500 in September, exceeding 200,000 for the first time since Japan resumed accepting new foreign arrivals in March of that year.」

「Travel restrictions imposed in various countries were also gradually being lifted. As a result, the number of Japanese nationals departing the country from January to June 2022 increased 215.1% year on year to 620,000, while the number of inbound visitors increased 427.1% to 500,000, with both showing substantial growth.」

「The travel industry, which is the target market for our services, continued to be significantly affected by COVID-19. The number of Japanese nationals departing the country from January to March 2022 fell 96.1% from the corresponding period of fiscal 2019, before the pandemic, to 190,000, declining sharply as travel restrictions, stay-at-home orders and other measures continued in many countries. The number of inbound visitors also fell 98.8% from the corresponding period of fiscal 2019 to 100,000, substantially below the level of Japanese nationals departing the country. (Source: Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO))」

「The number of Japanese nationals traveling overseas in 2021 fell 97.4% from 2019 to 510,000, while the number of inbound visitors fell 99.2% to 240,000, both substantially affected by the spread of COVID-19.」

「The number of Japanese nationals departing the country from January to September 2021 fell 97.6% from 2019 to 360,000, declining sharply as many countries continued to impose travel restrictions. The number of inbound visitors also fell 99.2% from 2019 to 190,000.」

「The number of Japanese nationals departing the country from January to June 2021 fell 97.9% from 2019 to 200,000, declining sharply as many countries continued to impose travel restrictions, stay-at-home orders and other measures. The number of inbound visitors also fell 99.4% from 2019 to 100,000.」

「The number of Japanese nationals departing the country from January to March 2021 fell 96.6% year on year to 100,000, declining sharply as many countries imposed travel restrictions, stay-at-home orders and other measures. The number of inbound visitors also fell 98.3% year on year to 60,000, substantially below the prior-year level.」

「The number of Japanese nationals traveling overseas in 2020 fell 84.2% year on year to 3.17 million, while the number of inbound visitors fell 87.1% to 4.11 million, both significantly affected by the spread of COVID-19.」

「The number of Japanese nationals departing the country from January to September 2020 fell 79.6% year on year to 3.07 million, declining sharply as many countries continued to impose travel restrictions, stay-at-home orders and other measures. The number of inbound visitors also fell 83.7% year on year to 3.97 million, substantially below the prior-year level.」

「The number of Japanese nationals departing the country from January to June 2020 fell 68.7% year on year to 2.99 million, declining sharply as many countries imposed travel restrictions, stay-at-home orders and other measures. The number of inbound visitors also fell 76.3% year on year to 3.94 million, substantially below the prior-year level. The number of tourists worldwide increased 3.8% year on year to 1.46 billion in 2019, but is expected to decline sharply in 2020 due to the impact of COVID-19.」

「The number of Japanese nationals departing the country from January to March 2020 fell 39.6% year on year to 2.97 million, declining sharply as many countries introduced measures such as travel restrictions and stay-at-home orders. The number of inbound visitors also fell 51.1% year on year to 3.93 million, substantially below the prior-year level.」

「The number of Japanese nationals departing the country in 2019 increased 5.9% year on year to 20.08 million, maintaining a solid trend. The number of inbound visitors also showed continued strong growth, rising 2.2% year on year to 31.88 million. The number of tourists worldwide in 2019 increased 4.0% year on year to 1.46 billion.」

「The number of Japanese nationals departing the country from January to September 2019 increased 7.6% year on year to 15.06 million, maintaining a solid trend. The number of inbound visitors also remained solid, rising 4.0% year on year to 24.41 million. In addition, the number of tourists worldwide in 2018 increased 6.0% year on year to 1.4 billion, and is expected to continue rising.」

「The number of Japanese nationals departing the country from January to June 2019 increased 8.6% year on year to 9.54 million, maintaining a solid trend. The number of inbound visitors also remained solid, rising 4.6% year on year to 16.63 million. In addition, the number of tourists worldwide in 2018 increased 6.0% year on year to 1.4 billion, and is expected to continue rising.」

「The number of Japanese nationals departing the country from January to March 2019 increased 6.4% year on year to 4.91 million, maintaining a solid trend. The number of inbound visitors also showed continued strong growth, rising 5.7% year on year to 8.05 million. In addition, the number of tourists worldwide in 2018 increased 6.0% year on year to 1.4 billion, and is expected to continue rising.」