Japan's tourism trade surplus surges 58%, topping patent royalties

Spending by foreign visitors helps offset country's digital deficit

20250512N tourists arriving in japan airport

Spending by foreign visitors to Japan exceeded spending from outbound Japanese tourists by roughly $45 billion in fiscal 2024. (Photo by Kosaku Mimura)

TAIZO WADA

TOKYO -- Japan's tourism trade surplus -- when spending by foreign visitors exceeds spending by outbound Japanese tourists -- climbed 58% in the year ended March, surpassing the country's surplus derived from patent royalties for the first time.

Japan's overall current account surplus for the year reached 30.38 trillion yen ($204 billion), Finance Ministry statistics released Monday show, rising 16% for a second consecutive annual record.

Sponsored Content

About Sponsored ContentThis content was commissioned by Nikkei's Global Business Bureau.