China group tours return to Japan but 'explosive spending' unlikely

A staff of All Nippon Airways and a staff of a travel agency escort a Chinese tour group from Beijing upon their arrival at Haneda airport in Tokyo, on Aug 23, 2023. - Reuters

TOKYO (Reuters): Chinese group tours are back in Japan but anyone banking on them arriving in droves and splashing around cash like they did before the pandemic is likely to be disappointed.

An ANA Holdings flight on Wednesday (Aug 23) evening brings in the first package tour visitors from Beijing since China lifted its pandemic-era restrictions on the trips to Japan and other key markets including the United States.