Japan's tourism boom boosts economy, but locals aren't happy


By LEESAN

Everything flows with nature in Japan. It’s all about balance, quiet elegance, and subtle harmony. This is the real reason why travellers can’t get enough of the place. — Photos: Leesan

In 2024, Japan welcomed a jaw-dropping 36.9 million inbound tourists, up 15.6% from the pre-pandemic tourism peak of 2019. But what does that mean to the common man?

Well, in plain terms, Japan’s treasury got a healthy US$53bil (RM224.19bil) cash injection, and tourism leapfrogged to become the country’s second-largest foreign exchange earner that year.

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