Japan Inbound Travel Hits Record; China Slumps

Japan welcomed a record 42.43 million foreign arrivals in 2025, a 15 percent increase over 2024 and the second consecutive year of historic growth, according to preliminary data released by Japan’s Immigration Services Agency.

The strong annual performance, however, masked a sharp late-year decline in arrivals from mainland China. In December 2025, new visitors from mainland China, excluding re-entries, fell to 280,000 — nearly half the level recorded in December 2024. The drop has been partly linked to calls from Chinese authorities urging citizens to exercise caution when traveling to Japan.

Monthly data show that new arrivals from mainland China remained robust for most of the year, fluctuating between 500,000 and 800,000 from January through October. Numbers then slipped to 450,000 in November before plunging to 280,000 in December, representing a 47 percent year-on-year decline for that month.

Despite the late-year slowdown, mainland China remained one of Japan’s largest source markets overall. For the full year, new arrivals from mainland China reached 7.22 million, a 32 percent increase compared with 2024. By market ranking, mainland China placed second after South Korea.

South Korea was Japan’s top inbound market in 2025, with 9.23 million arrivals, up 7 percent year on year. Taiwan ranked third with 6.39 million arrivals, a 12 percent increase, followed by the United States with 3.24 million arrivals, up 22 percent.

The 42.43 million total includes both short-term visitors and foreign nationals granted mid- to long-term residence status. Short-term stays accounted for 38.46 million entries, representing approximately 98 percent of the overall figure, highlighting tourism’s dominant role in Japan’s inbound growth.

In addition to tourists, 180,000 arrivals were recorded under student residence status, while 160,000 entered under the technical intern trainee program, reflecting Japan’s continued reliance on foreign labor and education exchanges.

Japan’s record-breaking inbound performance underscores the strength of regional travel demand and favorable exchange rates. However, the sudden drop in Chinese arrivals at the end of the year illustrates the sensitivity of tourism flows to geopolitical developments and government advisories, factors that could influence inbound trends in 2026.