The fact that the number of foreign visitors to Japan is increasing again is a welcome situation. However, it is not a good thing if the lives of local residents are disrupted by bad manners and excessive crowding. The government must take measures as soon as possible.
The number of overseas visitors to Japan, which plummeted amid the novel coronavirus pandemic, has been rising in line with the easing of border controls. About 2.15 million people visited Japan in August, marking a recovery to 85% of the level seen in August 2019 in the pre-pandemic era.
Attracting foreign tourists is a pillar of the government’s growth strategy, and the annual number exceeded 30 million in 2019. A recovery in this area could serve as a tailwind for the nation’s economy.