Japan’s tourism industry is experiencing a boom, with visitor numbers shattering pre-pandemic records. To cope with this influx and expedite immigration processes, the Japanese government is introducing a brand new preclearance system.
Japan Introduces New Preclearance System
This initiative, slated for launch in January 2025, will begin with travellers from Taiwan. Tourists will be able to complete most immigration checks before departure, significantly reducing arrival wait times. This decision comes as Japan welcomes a record-breaking 17.8 million visitors in the first half of 2024, according to the Japan National Tourism Organisation. June marked the fourth consecutive month with over 3 million arrivals.
A key factor driving this surge is the weakened yen. Japan has transformed from a high-end holiday destination to a relatively affordable tourist and shopping haven. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, at a tourism promotion meeting, projected a staggering ¥8 trillion (approximately $51 billion) in tourist spending for 2024. However, he acknowledged the need to strike a balance between promoting tourism and managing potential overtourism issues.
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Aim To Promote Sports Tourism
Kishida emphasised the use of technology to alleviate congestion at airports, transportation networks, and popular tourist spots. Additionally, he aims to enhance the appeal of national parks and promote sports tourism, aligning with the government’s goal of attracting 60 million visitors annually by 2030.
Underscoring the booming demand, ANA Holdings Inc. announced the launch of three new European routes from Haneda Airport this winter: Milan in December, Stockholm in January, and Istanbul in February. All Nippon Airways (ANA) President Shinichi Inoue declared their commitment to network expansion at a press conference on Friday. Notably, ANA recently introduced daily flights to Paris and Munich in anticipation of the Paris Olympics and plans to resume the Haneda-Vienna route in August.
While the influx benefits Japan’s fragile economy, the country faces a jet-fuel shortage, impacting foreign carriers seeking to increase flights. Despite efforts to ramp up production and imports, Kishida urged the council to implement urgent measures to secure fuel supplies.
The weakened yen, while a boon for tourists, has a double-edged effect. It fuels inflation, the highest in decades, putting a strain on domestic consumer spending. Tourist spending figures for the April-June quarter stand at ¥2.14 trillion yen, according to the Japan Tourism Agency.
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