Asian yen for Japanese tourism proves a mixed blessing

Weak currency makes visitors open wallets, but turns off overseas workers

Inbound travelers spent $43.3 billion on lodging, meals and other expense in fiscal 2018, a threefold increase from five years earlier.

YUTA SAITO and KAZUYA MANABE, Nikkei staff writers

November 22, 2019 15:06 JST

TOKYO -- The Japanese economy is enjoying a nice bump from the rising tide of foreign tourists, with the number of travelers topping the government-set target of 10 million in 2013 and more than 30 million in 2018.

Experts are attributing the boom to rising incomes in Asia and Tokyo's easing of visa requirements, especially as regards tourists from China and Southeast Asian nations.