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20250930N Japan foreign shoppers

Duty-free purchases accounted for nearly half of sales at Matsuya's Ginza location in fiscal 2024. (Photo by Hazumu Urushiyama)

TAIZO WADA

TOKYO -- During a recent visit to the Matsuya department store in Tokyo's ritzy Ginza district, the duty-free counter was bustling with foreign tourists presenting their passports for the consumption tax exemption on their purchases.

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