40 Million Foreign Visitors to Japan: Urgent Measures Should Be Implemented to Tackle Overtourism |
Editorial
15:44 JST, January 25, 2026
Foreign visitors to Japan have steadily increased, and negative effects from overtourism have been notable. The public and private sectors should accelerate efforts to resolve related issues.
The number of foreign visitors to Japan rose to about 42.7 million in 2025, up 16% from the previous year and reaching a new record high for the second consecutive year. It was the first time the figure has surpassed 40 million.
Tourists have increased from a wide range of areas, including the United States, Australia and Europe, as well as Asian countries and regions such as South Korea. In addition to a tailwind provided by the depreciation of the yen, this appears to reflect signs of growing interest in Japanese food and culture among people overseas.
In 2003, the government launched a full-scale initiative to promote Japan as a........