TOKYO – Japan welcomed an estimated 622,300 Filipino visitors last year, marking a 1.5 percent uptick from the levels recorded in 2019. This number represents the first time the annual figure has surpassed pre-COVID-19 benchmarks, as disclosed by the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) on Jan. 17.
Filipino tourist arrivals in December tallied around 79,100, with November at 63,700, October at 69,200, September at 42,800, August at 38,600, July at 51,700, June at 54,200, May at 49,900, April at 62,800, March at 46,600, February at 33,900, and January at 29,700.
The Philippines placed seventh in Japan’s market for visitor arrivals following South Korea, Taiwan, China, Hong Kong, the U.S.A., and Thailand.
Throughout the January to December period, Japan recorded an overall influx of approximately 25,066,100 foreign tourists. - Florenda Corpuz
(Pedestrians cross a street in Tokyo on Jan. 18, 2024. Photo by Din Eugenio)
