Tourism in Japan hit by China tour ban

Fast decision: A file picture showing a group of Chinese tourists at the Ginza district of Tokyo. Xi ordered a faster response to the virus, with the ban on all outgoing overseas group tours to take effect today. — Bloomberg

TOKYO: Japan’s goal of attracting 40 million visitors this year may already be in danger, following China’s decision to ban tour groups going overseas to help contain the impact of the rapidly spreading novel coronavirus.

Chinese tourists made up almost a third of all arrivals to Japan in 2019, in a year that saw visitor growth impacted by a diplomatic spat with South Korea and a series of extreme weather events.