20 (UPI) — The number of foreign visitors to Japan in August reached levels close to pre-pandemic levels, its highest point since the country eased COVID-19 restrictions last fall.
Japan has reached this new global despite protests from some Chinese who have canceled their trips to Japan due to Beijing’s disapproval of the dumping into the sea of treated radioactive water from the crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant, which began in August.
The number of Chinese visitors to Japan remained low, only 36% of what it was in August 2019.
South Korea led the return of tourism to Japan with 569,100 visitors in August, followed by Taiwan with 396,300. Mainland Chinese accounted for the third largest number of visitors, with 364,100, while Hong Kong accounted for 206,300 visitors.
Tourism representative Tsuyoshi Kondo said the number of Chinese visitors is expected to return to pre-pandemic levels during the Lunar New Year holiday in 2024.