Jakarta, goldensamoyed Indonesia
—
Businessman
Japan
still feel relaxed about the changes in the number of tourists affected by the heated political situation in their country with
China
the last few days.
In fact, Beijing has advised its citizens to avoid traveling to Japan after PM Sanae Takaichi implied Tokyo could intervene militarily in any attack on Taiwan.
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One of those who is still calm is Shiina Ito, a jewelry industry businesswoman.He acknowledged that the number of Chinese customers at his jewelry store in Tokyo had decreased significantly since Beijing issued a travel warning.
He said Chinese buyers usually make up half of the customers at his shop in the capital’s traditional Asakusa district, where tourists wander the shop-lined alleys.
“Because there are fewer Chinese customers, it’s a little easier for Japanese buyers to visit, so our sales haven’t fallen that much,” said store manager Ito, dismissing his concerns, as reported by AFP, Saturday (22/11).
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Many tourism and retail businesses in Japan rely heavily on Chinese tourists, who on average spend more money than other foreign tourists on everything from food to skin care.
Some hotels, designer clothing stores and even pharmacies have Chinese-speaking assistants, while department stores often display Chinese-language signage.
In Ginza, a posh district in Tokyo, Yuki Yamamoto, manager of an Instagram-famous udon noodle restaurant, said he had seen no immediate impact on sales since China warned its citizens to avoid Japan.
“I don’t think there’s been a sudden, dramatic change,” he said, although he estimates that on a typical day, about half the hungry diners queuing outside his doors are Chinese.
“Of course, if customers decrease, it’s disappointing for the store. However, Japanese customers still come regularly, so we’re not too worried.”
China is Japan’s biggest source of tourists, with nearly 7.5 million visitors in the first nine months of 2025, a quarter of all foreign tourists, according to official Japanese data.
Lured by the weak yen, they spent the equivalent of US$3.7 billion in the third quarter.
The Japan National Tourism Organization has also reported that by 2024, each Chinese tourist will spend an average of 22 percent more than other visitors.
However, a record 36.8 million arrivals from around the world last year also raised concerns about overtourism affecting the daily lives of many people in Japan.
(chri)
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