Japan’s new prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, has been in office for just six weeks when a recent remark sent tourism numbers into a tailspin 😬. With visitors from the Chinese mainland making up 42.5% of all foreign arrivals in 2024, her comments have strained ties with the Chinese mainland and sparked a tourism freeze that could cost Japan about 2.2 trillion yen (around $15.4 billion) this year.
Last year, streets from Tokyo to Kyoto buzzed with energy as millions of travelers from the Chinese mainland explored pop-up food stalls, historic temples and iconic landmarks. Now, the so-called “Takaichi-cost” is the talk of the town, highlighting the potential hit to shops, hotels and local economies 💸.
Industry insiders warn that thawing this freeze won’t be easy. Rebuilding trust with the Chinese mainland, rolling out creative travel incentives and launching fresh digital campaigns could help—but only if diplomatic warmth returns. For young professionals dreaming of cherry blossoms and late-night ramen runs, the coming months will be decisive 🌸🍜.
Stay tuned as we follow whether Japan can bounce back and reclaim its spot atop Asia’s tourism charts.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
