Japan Tourism Soars in May, Despite Hong Kong Earthquake Concerns

Matsuyama Castle in Ehime Prefecture saw a surge in visitors during May.

Japan experienced a record-breaking number of tourists in May, according to the Japan National Tourism Organization. The total inbound tourist figure reached 3,693,300, marking a 21.5 percent increase compared to the previous year. This figure also represents the highest number of visitors ever recorded for the month of May.

This marks the eighth consecutive month where Japan welcomed over 3 million international visitors. From January to May, a total of 18,140,100 tourists visited Japan, reflecting a 23.9 percent increase compared to the same period last year.

South Korea contributed the largest number of inbound tourists in May, with 825,800 visitors. China followed with 789,900 visitors, and Taiwan with 538,400.

Conversely, the number of visitors from Hong Kong decreased by 11.2 percent year-on-year, with 193,100 visitors. Hong Kong was the only region to show a decline in tourism to Japan.

The decrease in visitors from Hong Kong is linked to a rumor circulating on social media. The rumor suggests that a major earthquake will strike Japan in July, based on separate predictions from a local feng shui master and a Japanese manga artist.

The Japan National Tourism Organization stated they were unsure if the rumor influenced the drop in visitors from Hong Kong. However, demand for flights from Hong Kong to Japan has remained unusually low since the earthquake prediction began circulating. The Japanese government has attempted to dispel the rumor, emphasizing the impossibility of accurately predicting earthquakes.