Chinese tourist arrivals in Japan decreased by 56.3 percent year on year from January to July 2026, according to official data published on August 19, 2026. In July alone, arrivals from the Chinese mainland fell 56.1 percent compared with the same month in 2025.
Chinese Tourist Share in Japan Halves in Early 2026
Data from the Japan National Tourism Organization shows Chinese visitors accounted for 10.1 percent of all foreign tourists to Japan during the first seven months of 2026. This represents a sharp decline from the 22.8 percent share recorded over the same period in 2025.
Political Tensions Impact Tourist Arrivals
The persistent drop in Chinese tourist numbers is linked to strained relations
between China and Japan. The tensions escalated following remarks made about China by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, which were widely regarded as erroneous and contributed to diplomatic friction.
Eight Consecutive Months of Decline
The seven-month period closing July 2026 marks the eighth straight month of year-on-year decreases in Chinese arrivals to Japan. The sustained decline emphasizes ongoing challenges in restoring inbound tourism from the Chinese mainland, as detailed by the Japan National Tourism Organization’s recent figures.
