No. of foreign visitors to Japan plunges nearly 20% in November

Thursday 25th December, 05:04 AM JST

The requested article has expired, and is no longer available. Any related articles, and user comments are shown below.

Latest 15 of 24 Total Comments Show All

Shaolin7 at 01:53 AM JST - 26th December

Ichinensei -- I empathize. I've been here since coming over Dec. 5th (I go back Jan. 6th) from Canada and I had to bring alot more money than I'd planned to. Have you checked some of the monthly rented apartments? That's what I did, and it's been ok.

As far as the plunging tourist trade, I'd have to concur with the other posters -- it is only going to get worse, given the strength of the Yen. I hope this doesn't dissuade people too much. For all of the negativity that gets posted, Japan and the Japanese people have been amazing, for the most part. It's been incredible and pretty brilliant, even with my poor spoken level of Japanese. I hope any prospective visitors to Japan won't get too discouraged!
itcher74 at 02:19 AM JST - 26th December

The Euro is not doing too bad against the Yen compared with the Dollar which is sinking faster than the Titanic. As for currency it should not be affecting Europeans too much.
Suzu1 at 02:19 AM JST - 26th December

My family and I visited Japan in November. We were able to get a good price on airfare, which was more of a factor in our decision to go rather than the particular exchange rate. We probably didn't buy as much stuff as we would have with a cheaper yen, but it wasn't a problem since deflation has brought down prices tremendously over the last decade. The fingerprint requirement was new for me but it was quick and didn't slow my movement through immigration at all. Anyone who would put off a trip solely for the fingerprinting must have some misperception on what it entails.
Helly at 04:16 AM JST - 26th December

Japan should promote trips to Okinawa. Also they should promote diving and skiing in Japan. People don't know what Japan offers except Sushi and hotsprings. The Boys in the gov need to promote other activities and attractions.
888naff at 05:25 AM JST - 26th December

euro hasn't changed versus the yen!!!! what are you talking about! http://finance.yahoo.com/q/bc?s=EURJPY=X&t=2y&l=on&z=m&q=l&c=

Anyway Japan will be better without being too easy for visitors. Only those that really want to come or are educated or well behaved should come.
WMD at 09:21 AM JST - 26th December

Suzu1 Tourists never object to the fingerprinting, they are just thrilled to be in japan. The disgrace is is that permanent residents have to do this too.
Ultradude at 09:23 AM JST - 26th December

Suzu1 - Deflation has brought prices down? I've only been here 16 years and based on my non-scientific evidence as a consumer, I can't think of too many things that have gotten cheaper, actually nothing comes to mind. Until last year, most things did not increase much, that is true. A can of Coke was 100yen in '92 and now it is generally 120yen. Now endaka will give us some relief on imported food and wine, which will be welcome.
itcher74 at 09:52 AM JST - 26th December

> euro hasn't changed versus the yen!!!!

compared to the dollar, no.
flugelschmidt at 02:59 PM JST - 26th December

Perhaps the temple thing has worn off?
cracaphat at 05:41 PM JST - 26th December

Can always go to a 100 yen shop for bargains.
Pukey2 at 06:16 PM JST - 26th December

forgte about the dollar. sterling was about 250 last year. now it's 133, approx. that's nearly a 50% drop.

Anyway Japan will be better without being too easy for visitors. Only those that really want to come or are educated or well behaved should come.

can't disagree with that. too many riff-raff in the western countries. sometimes you wonder how the hell they made it into the country. there have been some outrageous stories of people going to britain and living off the the fat of the land via gov handouts.

Tourists never object to the fingerprinting, they are just thrilled to be in japan. The disgrace is is that permanent residents have to do this too.

i do agree, but it's never nice to be fingerprinted. i, as a previous visitor to usa, can't do anything about it and if i go on business trips, then i have to put up with it. i just wonder when europe will do the same to foreigners, starting with the americans and japanese.
AlfGarnett at 06:18 PM JST - 26th December

The crash of the POund against the YEn was what stopped me grandson Patrick from working in Japan. He would've been paid in POunds , and been skint.

Same for tourist, don'T go where it costs a packet, go to where the bargains is, common sense mate!!!
meiwaku at 11:06 AM JST - 28th December

The number of Japanese people departing for foreign destinations dropped 14.1% to 1,247,000 in November, marking the 19th month of consecutive declines Yet JAL is raising their rates 13%. What happened to the law of supply and demand here? Morons.
Patrick Smash at 03:31 PM JST - 28th December

meiwaku, absolutely. But the number of routes might soon be cut. Fewer flights would equal higher prices.

This fall will continue. Japan has little to offer, especially with the yen so strong. Fly to Japan on JAL. Be fingerpinted. Check into extremely expensive hotel. Look at temple. Sit in hot water. Pay roughly 7 pounds for a beer. Eat crap expensive food...
Jmvdriel at 08:49 PM JST - 30th December

And when the JAL (Japan Airline is Loosing) there will be even less tourists coming