Japan Projects 15 Million Foreign Visitors In 2015

Above, the Tokyo Skytree and Asahi Beer Hall. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

With the second straight year of record-breaking numbers of foreign tourists coming into Japan behind them, the Japanese tourism industry is looking to 2015 to be another record-breaking year.

According to the Nikkei Asian Review:

TOKYO -- After travelers from abroad surged nearly 30% last year, Japan is set to welcome more than 15 million in 2015. 

The government is moving to ease regulations on short-stay visas for Chinese this year and make duty-free shopping easier beyond major metropolitan areas. As the shrinking population dampens domestic demand, spending by foreigners visiting the country is seen playing a larger role in supporting the economy. 

The 13.41 million visitors in 2014 marked a 29% increase from the year before, according to the Japan National Tourism Organization. Shopping, accommodations and other spending shot up 43% to more than 2.03 trillion yen ($17 billion).

As long as the exchange rates between foreign currencies and the Japanese yen stays favorable, there is no reason why the goal of 15 million tourists this year can't be achieved.

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