Japan's Tourism Numbers Hit Record High During First Half of 2013

Above, the gardens at Nijo Castle in Kyoto.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) reported that a record number of foreign visitors to Japan rose to a record high during the first half of this year.

According to Jiji Press:

Tokyo, July 24 (Jiji Press)--The number of foreign visitors to Japan in January-June rose 22.8 pct from a year before to an estimated 4,954,600, hitting a record high for the first-half period, the Japan National Tourism Organization said Wednesday. 

The increase came as the yen's recent weakening made travel to Japan cheaper, according to the government-affiliated agency. Also behind the growth were service launches by new low-cost carriers.

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