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No. of Japanese tourists to Beijing falls by 53.7%

33 Comments

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33 Comments
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If I were Japanese, I can't think of many good reasons why I would go to China with my tourist dollars.

19 ( +26 / -7 )

good, whatever saved upto July must have been spent in August (in china) during obono holidays.

-18 ( +1 / -19 )

I'm sure the boutique owners felt the pain. They can always petition the government..

7 ( +8 / -1 )

Serves China right with that attitude.

14 ( +17 / -3 )

I was just in Beijing and didn't see a single HIS or other tour group anywhere.

7 ( +9 / -2 )

Or maybe because of the weak Yen?

-7 ( +5 / -12 )

Send the bully a message where it hurts the most - money. Buy Japan or Buy American or Buy Anywhere except China. Sorry 100 yen stores, but it has to be a united front.

11 ( +14 / -3 )

noriyosan73Aug. 26, 2013 - 10:39AM JST

Send the bully a message where it hurts the most - money.

I think it's Japan that's hurting more from this diplomatic trade spat. So China loses out on the visit of the Japanese tourists on their all inclusive JTB tours, where most of the money stays within Japanese companies. While the Chinese buy BMW and Samsung, and avoid Japanese products.

You do the math.

-7 ( +7 / -14 )

letsberealistic, let's be realistic. Japanese people don't eat Chinese food, they eat Japanese-Chinese. Those two very dissimilar.

11 ( +15 / -4 )

I wouldnt go to a country where toyotas are destroyed for the sole reason of being a japanese brand

9 ( +14 / -5 )

You do the math

The whole Japan population is 127.8 million(2011). Japan GDP was 5960 billion US dollars in 2012. 136,000 vistiors from Japan to PRC is so small for comparing with 1.43 million Chinese visitors to Japan in 2012.

In term of money and market, Japan can not match with PRC. PRC is a money machine for tourism.

According the Ginza experience, Chinese tourists pockets are deeper too.

http://japandailypress.com/chinese-tourists-not-trooping-to-ginza-anymore-0719496/

-4 ( +4 / -8 )

I'm surprised it isn't more along the lines of an 85%-90% drop.

5 ( +9 / -4 )

FlyfalconAug. 26, 2013 - 11:35AM JST

The whole Japan population is 127.8 million(2011). Japan GDP was 5960 billion US dollars in 2012. 136,000 vistiors from Japan to PRC is so small for comparing with 1.43 million Chinese visitors to Japan in 2012.

Yeah, but so many posters on here, like most Japanese are living 25 years in the past, when Japan actually meant something in Asia.

The mindset that the world needs Japan, and its anime, manga and cutie culture, while Japan can choose to take or leave the rest of the world, is killing this country.

-7 ( +6 / -13 )

Big deal.

-6 ( +0 / -6 )

But the number of Chinese tourist in Japan have increased. We need to re-educate the public and ask them to find out about cultures of our neighbouring countries, not just China but other Asian nations. More exchange means more understanding and tollerance towards other cultures hence less violence and right wing attack and concur mantality.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

I'm surprised there are 136,000 Japanese tourists (not businessmen, students) visited Beijing up to the end of July.

With so much propaganda within Japan against China and vice versa, these tourist must be quite adventurous. How about those visiting Shanghai, Chengdu, Xian, Guangxi, and Yunnan? I've been to all those places, some I would love to go back and visit again. I can only say that such place in Japan that captures me is Sendai and Kyoto.

How many Chinese tourists (not businessmen, students) visited Tokyo or Osaka up to the end of July this year? That's the number I want to know. I think Japan depends on tourism a whole lot more than China. If you've been to Kanto and Kansai, except for those that likes Onsen and Skiing, or those who really likes Japan enough to see Kyushu, there's not much to see in Japan other than food and shopping.

I doubt people travel to China to shop regularly. I travel to China to see its history, natural beauty and culture. Each ares or province is so diverse, it always feels like you're in a different country in China. Everywhere I go in China, I see all these American, Korean and Japanese tour groups like Trafalga, Viking, Hana Tour, JTB, HIS...etc. All those famous sites is crawling with these hoards of name tag tourists. Totally kills the scene.

Go to one city in Japan other than Tokyo is like seeing the rest. Its too regulated.

-6 ( +2 / -8 )

The mindset that the world needs Japan, and its anime, manga and cutie culture, while Japan can choose to take or leave the rest of the world, is killing this country.

"Killing" them right into the the top slot in global automobile sales. But yeah ... keep talking about anime.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/international-business/asian-pacific-business/toyota-holds-top-spot-in-first-half-world-auto-sales/article13448511/

You can trumpet the population figures of PRC all you want. The fact is that seventy percent of PRC (950 million people) are still surviving on less than $5 per day. What do you expect those people to consume? Its going to be literally decades (if ever) before those people reach the position where there consuming has any impact on any economy.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

hidingoutAug. 26, 2013 - 01:45PM JST

"Killing" them right into the the top slot in global automobile sales. But yeah ...

China-Japan trade has posted consistent declines since early this year, with words and actions by Japanese politicians and government to blame, a Chinese Ministry of Commerce spokesman said Friday. In the first seven months, bilateral trade fell 8.8 percent year-on-year to $174 billion. China's exports to Japan decreased 3.5 percent to $83.19 billion, while imports dwindled 13.2 percent to $90.81 billion, according to the ministry. http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/business/2013-08/24/content_16918514.htm

Get real. He who doesn't trade in the future China, doesn't trade in future new export markets for the next 30 years. A Japan without future new export markets, is a dead fish in the fiscal water.

Oh that's right, they've got Burma, Vietnam and Indonesia to replace the Chinese market, haven't they?

-9 ( +1 / -10 )

You people that think China can keep growing the way it has been for the next 30 years make me laugh! For one thing, the Earth does not have enough resources or clean air left for another 500 million plus people to attain a high standard of living, it would literally destroy this planet! Face the fact that China is peaking (no pun intended) out as far as high sustainable growth rates are concerned.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Really? Tell that to my local (authentic) Chinese which has been on TV and always has a line of Japanese AND Chinese.

OK, so if they serve authentic Chinese food in Japan, why would they want to fly to a polluted city to eat the same thing?

4 ( +5 / -1 )

A pity. China is a fascinating place to visit, as is Japan. I wonder how many Chinese Japan bashers or Japanese/Non-Japanese China bashers have actually spent any time in the country they despise?

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Assuming 950 millions people earn less than $5 a day in PRC means they are too poor for traveling. However Total population of PRC is 1.3 billions. If we deduct the 950 millions from 1.3 billion, there are 350 millions middle class who can afford to travel. That 350 millions market is still larger than US and Canada total population. it is three time larger than the whole population of Japan. It can be said that three is no other huge tourism market like PRC.

Dog is correct to say that losing PRC market will means any of nation on that earth is very hard to replace for losing revenue and growth.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

Given the horrendous air pollution in major Chinese cities, anti-Japanese sentiment and the food quality scandals in the news in recent years it makes sense that the average Japanese tourist would go somewhere else to spend their yen.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

I believe for good authentic Chinese food Hong Kong, Taipei and Singapore provides better quality and service but Yokohama and other high class Chinese restaurants in Tokyo, Kobe, Osaka, Nagasaki,etc. provides the same level of quality and service since many places hires renown Chinese chefs from those cities as well.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Back on topic please.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

After all there's no winner. Communist Chinese leaders should aware of that.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@Dog

"most Japanese are living 25 years in the past, when Japan actually meant something in Asia"

And you still live in your fantasy island where Japan is begging for your assistance LOL.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

If we deduct the 950 millions from 1.3 billion, there are 350 millions middle class who can afford to travel. That 350 millions market is still larger than US and Canada total population. it is three time larger than the whole population of Japan. It can be said that three is no other huge tourism market like PRC.

Right so its an immediate drop off from "middle class" to $5 a day in PRC then? Nothing in-between? Middle class by western standards would have to be at least 25K/year. Average income in Shanghai is $4700 annually. Do you expect someone making $5000/year will be coming to Japan for Obon? I'd be surprised if the number of PRC citizens wealthy enough to travel abroad was even 100 million. I suggest you read this very informative article on the serious income disparity that exists in PRC.

http://www.economist.com/node/639652

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Big decrease in travelers from Japan to China has alot to due with weaker Yen. Compare to one year ago, the Yen is worth 20 percent less in China. The China's currency to Japan's currency is a reflection of how the economies of the two countries compare and how it can affect the traveler a great deal. Travelers always pay close attention to the foreign currency exchange rate of the country . You have to take a note of the prices of various goods in that country and how they relate to the prices of goods elsewhere. There are alot better destination for much cheaper price than China.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

(Dog) Yeah, but so many posters on here, like most Japanese are living 25 years in the past, when Japan actually meant something in Asia. The mindset that the world needs Japan, and its anime, manga and cutie culture, while Japan can choose to take or leave the rest of the world, is killing this country.

one of the most exact assessment of current Japan I heard so far this year.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

hidingout AUG. 27, 2013 - 03:48AM JST

Nothing in-between? Middle class by western standards would have to be at least 25K/year.

There are something between middle class and less well off in PRC. For example, farmers in regional areas and migrant workers in city are less than 25k per year. But they still get more than $ 5. You have to realize farmers do not need to buy the food like others. They are self sufficient for their food supply. Migrant workers live in dormitory supplied by employers. They do not need to travel to work.

If migrant workers work in factories, get the free lunch from most of the employers. It will save $ 5 for a day at least. Unlike western nations, most people in PRC do not need to buy private health insurance. They do not need to pay childcare and age care fee if they live in their means. It is excluding the capital cities of Beijing, Shanghai, Guanzhou etc. These cities are westernized. Therefore their cost of living are higher.

Average income in Shanghai is $4700 annually.

That average income is not sufficient for living and working in Shanghai. However not all people working in Shanghai are permanently settled in Shanghai. They will share the affordable housing with their workmates. Another thing is PRC has many efficient highway which can cut down the travelling time. Let's say someone who works in Shanghai does not need to live in Shanghai. If they live in second tier cities of Suzhou and Hangzhou and travel to Shanghai by bus or car, they will save rental money.

I'd be surprised if the number of PRC citizens wealthy enough to travel abroad was even 100 million

It is true that 100 millions tourists volume from PRC will be very hard to achieve. Even 100 millions tourists target will not meet in short term, China’s expenditure on travel abroad has already reached US$ 102 billions in 2012. As a tourists volume, it is hard to achieve for Japan due to the some tensions. However Japan can get the small slice of 102 billions if the operators are business minded and less politicizing for tourism.

http://media.unwto.org/en/press-release/2013-04-04/china-new-number-one-tourism-source-market-world

http://edition.cnn.com/2013/04/05/travel/china-tourists-spend

Many nations want to share the pie of the revenue from PRC tourists because it is too big and irresistible for ignoring that market.

http://skift.com/2013/01/08/everyone-wants-a-chinese-tourist-in-2013/

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

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