TOKYO — Japan's tourism industry has shown resilience in 2026 despite obstacles such as China's travel boycott and increased airfares caused by energy disruptions linked to the Middle East conflict. Mori Trust forecasts that Japan will welcome approximately 42 million overseas visitors in 2026, a figure close to the record 42.6 million visitors recorded last year.

Miwako Date, CEO of Mori Trust, emphasized that attracting return visitors will be crucial for Japan to achieve the government's ambitious goal of hosting 60 million foreign travelers by 2030. She also called for a strategic plan addressing tourism beyond 2030 to sustain growth.

These insights come amid ongoing labor shortages and rising construction costs that pose challenges to Japan's tourism infrastructure expansion.

Sources