Number of Japanese Stores Offering Tax-Free Products Has Risen 60%

Above, a duty-free shop at Narita International Airport. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It appears that Japan's efforts to increase foreign tourism into the country with such enticements as the expansion of duty-free items has paid off.

According to Inside Japan:

It has emerged that the number of Japanese stores offering tax-free products to tourists has risen by 60 per cent over the last months, according to Nikkei Asian Review.  

Since October 1st, duty-free products sold to travellers have expanded from the previous limitation of clothing and electronics to food and cosmetics, meaning that the government has its target of 10,000 tax-free shops by 2020 five years early. While cosmetic sales have seen a major boost in recent months, most of the stores are also concentrated in Tokyo and Osaka. 

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