The number of foreign visitors to Japan in March hit an all-time high for the month. The weaker yen is a factor drawing travelers.
The Japan National Tourism Organization estimates nearly 3.5 million visitors arrived last month. That’s up 13.5 percent from a year before.
The total number of foreign travelers in the first three months of this year stood at around 10.5 million. The figure exceeded 10 million at the fastest pace on record.
Visitors from China jumped 46.2 percent to 661,700. An increased number of regular route flights from the county to Japan are thought to be the key factor.
Arrivals from the US were up 18.2 percent to 342,800.
Those from South Korea rose 4.3 percent to 691,700.
Travelers from Taiwan increased 7.9 percent to 522,900.
The tourism organization says the weaker yen among other factors are driving up the figures at a steady pace, but it will keep a close watch on the possible impact from the Trump administration’s policies.
Preliminary data from the Japan Tourism Agency shows foreign visitors’ spending in the first three months this year hit a record high.
The total came to more than 2.27 trillion yen, or over 15.8 billion dollars. That’s up 28.4 percent from a year earlier.