Japan says losing bad Chinese tourists is worth it for peace of mind
Japan’s 2023 tourism data shows Taiwan overtaking China in total spending despite having far fewer visitors.
Taiwanese tourists contributed 782 billion yen, slightly more than China’s 760 billion yen.
Japan earned a record 5.3 trillion yen from foreign tourism, but China’s share was only 14.3 percent.
Per-capita spending from Taiwan and Western countries far exceeded that of Chinese group tours.
Many Japanese locals now say losing disruptive tourists from China is “a good trade” for safer streets and quieter cities.
Officials also highlight that South Korea, the US, Hong Kong, and Southeast Asia continue to deliver strong spending growth.
With global demand rising and diversified markets performing well, Japan believes it can afford fewer problematic visitors.
The growing sentiment inside Japan is clear: stability and community harmony matter more than chasing every yen.