TOKYO, July 16 (Xinhua) -- The number of foreign tourists visiting Japan decreased by 2 percent in the first half of 2026 compared to the same period last year, recording the first decline in the last five years.
According to data announced by the Japan National Tourism Organization on Wednesday, approximately 21.1 million people entered the country in the first half of the year, while the number of visitors from mainland China decreased by more than half.
Following the statements made by Japanese Prime Minister Takaiçi Sanae about Taiwan last November, the number of visitors from China continued its downward trend, decreasing by 56.4 percent compared to the previous year, falling to 2.06 million.
According to the data, the number of foreign visitors coming to the country in June alone decreased by 6.8 percent compared to the same month last year, reaching 3.15 million. With this data, the decline in the number of foreign visitors moved to the third month in a row, and the biggest decrease since January 2022 was reported.