Visitors to Japan hit record high in 2018 but forgo shopping sprees

Moderate growth hints at waning impact as regional competition intensifies

Tourists walk along a shopping street in Asakusa, Tokyo. Japan's visitor numbers have risen for seven consecutive years, but the rate of growth slowed in 2018. (Photo by Shihoko Nakaoka)

ERI SUGIURA, Nikkei staff writer

January 16, 2019 16:17 JST

Updated on January 17, 2019 06:22 JST

TOKYO -- The number of tourists visiting Japan hit a record high in 2018, as did their spending in the country, despite a series of natural disasters that temporarily shut down major airports.

But the growth rate of both measures slowed significantly, suggesting the economic benefits of inbound tourism may be starting to wane.