Popular for Foreigners

Japan National Tourist Organization announced that foreign travelers in Japan from January to October this year marked new record high of 8.66 million. It is expected that foreign visitors through this year will reach 10 millions for the first time from the beginning of that research in 1964. Main factor of this increase of foreign travelers is Asian people who can afford to enjoy tourism. The Government of Japan considers exemption of sales tax for foreign tourists in order to sell Japan.

The country that sent tourists to Japan most in October was Taiwan, which number amounted to 213,500. The South Koreans secured the second position with 158,300, although the number was reduced from the same month last year because of skepticisms on the effect of the radiation caused by the accident in First Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant two years ago. The Chinese followed them with 121,400, at the third place marking 74% of increase from October last year.

According to an internet site of TripAdviser, the most popular place for foreign travelers to visit is Miyajima Island, Hiroshima, which is famous for Itsukushima Shrine built above sea water. The second popular place, also located in Prefecture of Hiroshima, is Hiroshima Memorial Park of Peace. With museum of exhibiting heritages of devastation by an atomic bomb Hiroshima in the World War II, this park is quite popular for Western tourists. The Asians prefers to visit attractive facilities, including Tokyo Disney Resort or Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium. Old temples and shrines in Kyoto or Nara are always popular for all travelers.

To further increase those foreign visitors and encourage shopping, the government is planning to exempt consumption tax for them. For consumers who buy various goods worth ¥10,000 or more in a duty free shop, consumption tax will be exempted. It is considered to increase the goods for the exemption and shops for foreigners. Concerning consumption tax hike from 5% to 8% starting next April, the government is worried about extinction of this travel enthusiasm.

That welcoming policy is a part of positive economic stimulation in Abe administration. However, issuing visa for Asian people also causes illegal stay and working in Japan. One report indicated that there are over 200 illegal Thais staying in Japan, taking advantage of visa waiver program starting in July. Considering the illegal working of foreigners in Japan are getting serious as causing cheap wage of Japanese workers, economic policy dependent on tourism is not so credible. If it is about economy, fundamental measures are really needed.