Japan February arrivals plummet nearly 60 percent
Foreign tourist arrivals to Japan plunged by nearly 60% in February, marking the largest year-on-year monthly drop for nearly nine years.
It fell to just 1.09 million from 2.6 million a year earlier.
It was the fifth consecutive decline due to a dispute with South Korea which flared up last year, although the coronavirus crisis is now the major factor.
Japan has tightened up entry rules on travellers arriving from China, South Korea and Europe, and the declines are expected to continue for several months longer.
Up until early this year the Japanese government was confident it could reach a target of 40 million visitors for 2020.
That looks out of reach now and there is still doubt about whether the 2020 Tokyo Olympics will go ahead as planned in the summer.
According to data from the Japan Tourism Agency, inbound arrivals from China was down nearly 88% in February, and from South Korea nearly 80%.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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