Japan broke a record for tourism in 2024, with people from everywhere in the world visiting the island nation.
However the country has even greater tourist goals for the years ahead.
Hokuto Asano, first secretary on the Embassy of Japan in Washington, D.C., told Fox News Digital in an interview that with the influx of tourists, the country is working to satisfy demand.
“Overtourism is a brand new challenge for the Japanese community,” said Asano. “So we want to pursue find out how to create a win-win relationship [between] Japanese local people and foreign tourists.”
News outlets have reported on a “two-tier” pricing system at restaurants, theme parks and other attractions, with tourists charged more for services and experiences than Japanese residents are charged.
“The value of the restaurant, sushi restaurant in Japan, even hotel — the worth can be increasing,” Asano said. “So Japanese people sometimes say [that] Japanese people cannot benefit from the domestic tourism.”
He added, “But there must be a difference within the taste or preference between Japan and Japanese people and international tourists. There must be a difference in the worth and likewise services or products toward the international tourists.”
Between Jan. 1 and Nov. 30, nearly 33.4 million travelers visited Japan, in keeping with the country’s government site projections. Nearly three million Americans visited the country in 2024.
Asano said the number of tourists last 12 months ended up reaching 36 million and that Japan has a plan to almost double the number of tourists in the following five years.
“In 2030, we wish [to reach] the goal of 60 million people,” said Asano.
The sacred Mount Fuji is climbed by 200,000 to 300,000 people every summer, in keeping with the Japan National Tourism Organization.
Recently, nevertheless, Mt. Fuji has been pegged “trash mountain” attributable to serious overcrowding and garbage atop the world-famous landmark.
Asano said tourists have reported that there will not be many trashcans in Japan — but he pointed to the limited number as a preventive measure to “counter terrorism.”
“We’d like to share our manner[s] [with those who] visit tourist destinations,” said Asano.
“So we would really like [them to] understand [about] bringing back his or her own trash,” he said.
Asano suggested that tourists must be more respectful when visiting Japan.
“We’d like to share our values with international tourists,” he said.
With regards to tourists in Japan, it’s not nearly “the trip,” he said.
“It’s an excellent means to share culture and values. We would really like international tourists to know more [about] Japan by way of culture or sacred places or specific places,” he said.
Asano added, “Perhaps we will share find out how to enjoy those sacred places or share our tradition.”
Japan broke a record for tourism in 2024, with people from everywhere in the world visiting the island nation.
However the country has even greater tourist goals for the years ahead.
Hokuto Asano, first secretary on the Embassy of Japan in Washington, D.C., told Fox News Digital in an interview that with the influx of tourists, the country is working to satisfy demand.
“Overtourism is a brand new challenge for the Japanese community,” said Asano. “So we want to pursue find out how to create a win-win relationship [between] Japanese local people and foreign tourists.”
News outlets have reported on a “two-tier” pricing system at restaurants, theme parks and other attractions, with tourists charged more for services and experiences than Japanese residents are charged.
“The value of the restaurant, sushi restaurant in Japan, even hotel — the worth can be increasing,” Asano said. “So Japanese people sometimes say [that] Japanese people cannot benefit from the domestic tourism.”
He added, “But there must be a difference within the taste or preference between Japan and Japanese people and international tourists. There must be a difference in the worth and likewise services or products toward the international tourists.”
Between Jan. 1 and Nov. 30, nearly 33.4 million travelers visited Japan, in keeping with the country’s government site projections. Nearly three million Americans visited the country in 2024.
Asano said the number of tourists last 12 months ended up reaching 36 million and that Japan has a plan to almost double the number of tourists in the following five years.
“In 2030, we wish [to reach] the goal of 60 million people,” said Asano.
The sacred Mount Fuji is climbed by 200,000 to 300,000 people every summer, in keeping with the Japan National Tourism Organization.
Recently, nevertheless, Mt. Fuji has been pegged “trash mountain” attributable to serious overcrowding and garbage atop the world-famous landmark.
Asano said tourists have reported that there will not be many trashcans in Japan — but he pointed to the limited number as a preventive measure to “counter terrorism.”
“We’d like to share our manner[s] [with those who] visit tourist destinations,” said Asano.
“So we would really like [them to] understand [about] bringing back his or her own trash,” he said.
Asano suggested that tourists must be more respectful when visiting Japan.
“We’d like to share our values with international tourists,” he said.
With regards to tourists in Japan, it’s not nearly “the trip,” he said.
“It’s an excellent means to share culture and values. We would really like international tourists to know more [about] Japan by way of culture or sacred places or specific places,” he said.
Asano added, “Perhaps we will share find out how to enjoy those sacred places or share our tradition.”
