Japan's Orgasm Over 10 Million Visitors

Above, foreigners feel that shopping in Ginza is worthwhile, according to the article. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Finding that they are going to reach their goal of 10 million foreign visitors in 2013, the Japanese tourism industry is almost having a collective orgasm. I, for one, can't say that I blame them.

The Asahi Shimbun wrote:

The annual number of foreign visitors to Japan is expected to surpass 10 million for the first time in December. 

According to a report released Dec. 11 by the Japan National Tourist Organization (JNTO), about 9.5 million foreigners visited the country as of the end of November, with the figure set to reach 10 million within this month. 

Monthly figures also broke records for 10 consecutive months since February. 

In 2003, the government set a target of attracting 10 million foreign visitors a year by 2010, but it has taken three years longer to achieve that goal. 

A JNTO official attributed the increase partly to the yen’s weakness against other currencies as well as the government’s decision to ease visa requirements for tourists from Southeast Asian countries.

Considering that Japan had to deal with a mega-major disaster in 2010 with the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami, reaching this goal three years after the disaster is quite an achievement. That, plus winning the 2020 Olympic Games, should make Japan feel pretty darn good.

To read the full article, go here.