January marked an unprecedented decrease in tourist arrivals in Japan, notably with a 60.7% drop in Chinese visitors compared to the previous year. According to official statistics from the Japanese Tourism Agency, the number of visitors from mainland China plummeted from 980,500 in January 2025 to approximately 385,000 in January 2023. This downturn is largely attributed to the rescheduling of the Lunar New Year holidays, which traditionally sees a substantial number of Chinese tourists traveling abroad.

The decline in Chinese tourism to Japan has further implications, given that these visitors generally represent the largest group of international tourists in the country. The reduction has been compounded by ongoing tensions between Japan and China, impacting travel behaviors and preferences. While Chinese tourists were significantly less present, there has been an observed increase in Western tourists visiting Japan, indicating a potential shift in the demographic composition of international arrivals.

This decrease in tourist numbers poses challenges for the Japanese tourism sector, which has been recovering post-COVID-19 and relies heavily on international tourists, particularly from China. As the country adapts to these changes, it will be crucial to monitor the evolving dynamics of tourism flows and international relations, as they will directly affect Japan’s economy and its tourism infrastructure in the months to come.