TOKYO – Japan welcomed 885,100 visitors from the Philippines in 2025, an 8.1% increase from the previous year, according to preliminary figures released by the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO).
The Philippines ranked eighth among Japan’s top source markets, following South Korea, China, Taiwan, the United States, Hong Kong, Thailand and Australia.
The Land of the Rising Sun received an estimated 42.7 million international visitors last year, surpassing the 40-million mark for the first time.
Separately, Philippine travel industry groups have raised concerns over limited Japanese visa appointment slots, particularly in Metro Manila.
The Global Tourism Business Association Inc. (GTBA) said last week it appealed to the Embassy of Japan to open additional visa slots after it was advised by VFS Global, the embassy’s official partner for visa appointment scheduling, that the next available appointment is in April.
GTBA Founder and President Michelle Taylan said that some association members were considering securing visa appointments in Cebu or Davao due to limited availability in Metro Manila.
Asked about the issue, Malacañang Press Officer Claire Castro said the matter has been referred to concerned government agencies, noting that outbound travel concerns fall outside the mandate of the Department of Tourism.
“At present, we have referred this to the Department of Tourism, but they said this concerns outbound travel and is therefore not under their jurisdiction. We are also referring the matter to the Department of Foreign Affairs,” Castro said during a Jan. 20 press briefing.
Castro added that while the government respects Japan’s visa policies, Filipino travelers awaiting visa approvals may consider domestic tourism in the meantime.
“In the meantime, as they wait for their visas to be issued by Japan, which is their policy and which we respect, it may be better for Filipinos to explore destinations within the Philippines,” she said. - Florenda Corpuz
(Photo: Tourists take in the view of Mount Fuji on Jan. 25, 2026. | Din Eugenio)
