KPL
(KPL/KYODO) The number of foreign visitors to Japan in August grew 16.9 percent from a year earlier to 3.4 million, a record for the month, on the back of increased flights from Asian countries, government estimates showed Wednesday.
Travel from Hong Kong and the Republic of Korea recovered after a drop the previous month on a rumor on social media that Japan would suffer a devastating natural disaster in July.
By country and region, China topped the list with 1 million visitors, up 36.5 percent, followed by South Korea at 660,900, up 8.0 percent, and Taiwan at 620,700, a 10 percent increase, helped by increased flights, according to data released by the Japan National Tourism Organization.
Hong Kong logged an 8.3 percent decline in August, improving from a 36.9 percent plunge the previous month, the organization said.
In the first eight months of the year, Japan's visitor arrivals soared 18.2 percent from a year earlier to 28.4 million.
KPL
