It’s early January 2026, and instead of packed streets, many duty-free counters in Tokyo, Osaka, and beyond feel surprisingly mellow. More than a month after the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Chinese mainland advised its nationals to avoid traveling to Japan, businesses that rely on these travelers are in a scramble during their usually stellar peak season.
At Daimaru and Matsuzakaya—both under J Front Retailing—duty-free sales tumbled 17% year-on-year during the 2026 New Year sales period 😟. This dip dragged overall monthly sales down 1.9%. Other big retailers reported similar slides, turning what should be a shopping fiesta into a slow scroll.
Industry experts point to two main factors:
- Fewer visitors from the Chinese mainland.
- Softer spending by those who do arrive—think fewer TikTok-worthy souvenirs and less splurging on electronics. 📱💸
With spring break bookings and cherry blossom season coming up, analysts warn that a continued slide could leave a dent in earnings forecasts. Now, retailers are exploring fresh strategies—targeting new markets, boosting online platforms, and rolling out kawaii-themed campaigns 😊—to revive the buzz.
Reference(s):
Chinese visitor decline weighs on Japan's duty-free retail sector
cgtn.com
