The number of foreign visitors to Japan in 2025 surpassed 40 million for the first time, and they spent about 9.5 trillion yen ($60.13 billion), also a record high, the tourism ministry said.
The visitor figure was 42.7 million, exceeding the previous record of 36.87 million set in 2024.
“Surpassing 40 million in 2025 is a significant achievement toward reaching our target,” Yasushi Kaneko, minister of land, infrastructure, transport and tourism, said at a news conference on Jan. 20.
The government aims to increase the number of foreign visitors to 60 million by 2030.
However, the rapid rise in inbound tourism has exacerbated such problems as overcrowding and noise at popular destinations. Local residents also say overtourism is disrupting their daily lives.
The government plans to raise the International Tourist Tax (departure tax) from 1,000 yen to 3,000 yen within the next fiscal year. It will use the additional revenue to fund overtourism countermeasures.
AloJapan.com