Foreign visitors to Japan hit record for May

The number of foreign tourists visiting Japan is continuing to increase. It hit a new record for the month of May.

The Japan Tourism Organization estimated that nearly 2.3 million foreigners visited in the month. That’s up 21 percent from May last year.

South Korea topped the list.

The number of visitors from the country increased by 85 percent as more direct flights were added. Tourists also returned to Kumamoto, one year after a strong earthquake there.

China came second. But the tourists from the country increased only 2 percent. Fewer people arrived by cruise ship.

Taiwan visitors saw an increase of 8.5 percent. And from Hong Kong, tourists increased by nearly 30 percent.

Source and image: NHK