The number of foreign tourists to Japan in 2019 was 31.88 million, up 2.2% or about 700,000 from the previous year, according to the tourism ministry.
The total number has hit a record high for the seventh consecutive year, but the increase has slowed as the number of South Korean tourists has decreased due to worsening bilateral relations.
According to the Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Ministry, the number is about 3.7 times the 2010 figure of 8.61 million, for reasons such as the expansion of routes operated by low-cost carriers and the easing of visa requirements.
The number fell to 6.22 million in 2011, when the Great East Japan Earthquake struck, but has been increasing since 2012.
By country and region and depending on the year, South Korea has ranked either first or second in number of visitors to Japan since then.
The government has set a target of 40 million visitors this year. To achieve this, tourism minister Kazuyoshi Akaba said: "We want to make the most of the best opportunities, such as hosting the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics. We also want to encourage tourists to visit regional areas."
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