Chinese mainland tourist arrivals to Japan plunge over 50 pct in March

The number of visitors to Japan from the Chinese mainland plunged 55.9 percent year-on-year in March to 291,600, marking a continued downward trend that is weighing on multiple sectors of the Japanese economy.



The drop extended the decline to a fourth consecutive month, according to data released on Wednesday by the Japan National Tourism Organization.



During the first quarter of 2026, Chinese mainland visitor arrivals dropped 54.6 percent compared with the same period last year.



The sustained drop in tourist numbers follows blatant Taiwan-related remarks made by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, after which travel demand from the Chinese mainland has continued to weaken.



The downturn has put pressure on a wide range of industries, including retail, hospitality and dining, all of which have traditionally relied heavily on Chinese tourists.