The number of tourists from the Chinese mainland visiting Japan declined by 56.3 percent year-on-year in the first seven months of 2026, according to official data from the Japan National Tourism Organization released ahead of August 20.
In July 2026 alone, arrivals from the Chinese mainland fell 56.1 percent compared to the previous year, marking the eighth consecutive month of year-on-year decreases in Chinese tourist numbers to Japan.
Proportion of Chinese Tourists Among Foreign Visitors Shrinks
Chinese mainland visitors accounted for 10.1 percent of all foreign tourists to Japan during January through July 2026, a significant decline from the 22.8 percent share recorded during the same period in
2025.
The Japan National Tourism Organization’s data highlights this sharp reduction in the Chinese mainland’s share of inbound tourism to Japan, reflecting the sustained downward trend.
Tourism Decline Linked to Diplomatic Tensions
The sustained drop in Chinese tourist arrivals has been attributed to deteriorating China-Japan relations, triggered by erroneous remarks on China made by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.
This diplomatic strain is considered the primary factor behind the persistent reduction in visitors from the Chinese mainland over the first half of 2026.
