Political tensions between Japan and China

Impact of the yen

Are people traveling to other parts of Japan?

Impact of the Middle East crisis

Dealing with tourism pollution

Japan’s tourism industry is back, with a record 10 million visitors in early 2026. But a major shift is underway: Chinese arrivals, once the backbone of Japan’s tourism boom, remain well below pre-pandemic levels. With visitor arrivals from South Korea, Southeast Asia, Europe and the US surging, can these new markets make up for the drop from China? And how are they reshaping the Japanese tourism industry’s growth, earnings and competitiveness? Arnold Gay finds out from senior correspondent Michiyo Ishida.  

Japan&rsquo;s tourism industry is back, with a record 10 million visitors in early 2026. But a major shift is underway: Chinese arrivals, once the backbone of Japan&rsquo;s tourism boom, remain well below pre-pandemic levels. With visitor arrivals from South Korea, Southeast Asia, Europe and the US surging, can these new markets make up for the drop from China? And how are they reshaping the Japanese tourism industry&rsquo;s growth, earnings and competitiveness? Arnold Gay finds out from senior correspondent Michiyo Ishida. &nbsp;

Teresa Tang dissects the biggest global news stories. Our host speaks to CNA correspondents on the frontlines to bring you behind-the-scenes of their dispatches from Asia and the world.

The views and opinions shared during this podcast series are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of Mediacorp Pte. Ltd. or its group of companies.

Teresa Tang dissects the biggest global news stories. Our host speaks to CNA correspondents on the frontlines to bring you behind-the-scenes of their dispatches from Asia and the world.
The views and opinions shared during this podcast series are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of Mediacorp Pte. Ltd. or its group of companies.

CNA Correspondent

Our host speaks to CNA correspondents on the frontlines to bring you behind the scenes of some of the biggest global news stories from Asia and the world.

Our host speaks to CNA correspondents on the frontlines to bring you behind the scenes of some of the biggest global news stories from Asia and the world.