Japan tourism faces challenges from rising airfares and flight disruptions

Japan's tourism industry is navigating several headwinds, including rising airfares, reduced flight availability, and weather-related disruptions. According to the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), international arrivals for the first nine months of 2026 reached approximately 30.73 million, a 2.9% decrease compared to the same period in 2025.

While there has been a significant decline in visitors from China, other markets have provided support. South Korea and Taiwan have shown growth, and Thailand remains a resilient market, contributing approximately 835,000 visitors between January and September 2026, a 2.4% year-on-year increase.

Specific transport costs are impacting travel accessibility. Thai Airways announced an increase in fuel surcharges for its routes connecting Japan to Bangkok, effective for tickets issued from November 1, 2026. Additionally, while Jetstar Japan is expanding its domestic capacity with 224 extra flights for the winter 2026–27 season, other infrastructure issues persist, such as JR East managing railway restorations following typhoon damage in Chiba Prefecture.