1-1. Japanese Economic Trend (released in November 2007)

In November, the Japanese government announced that Japan’s economy is recovering, while some weaknesses are seen recently. As for short-term prospects, the economic recovery is expected to continue supported by the domestic private demand as high corporate profits feed into the household sector. On the other hand, attention should be given to effects of the fluctuations in the financial and capital markets mainly caused by the subprime mortgage loan problem and developments of oil prices on the Japanese economy and overseas economies.　The consumer price index for September was 100.3, which rose by 0.1 from the previous month. The number of the people unemployed increased by 200,000, causing the unemployment rate to up to 4.0% rising 0.2% from the previous month.

Monthly Economic Report (Released by Cabinet Office, Government of Japan)

Annualized GDP Changes by Quarters <2004 – 2007>　（Seasonally Adjusted

  Glossary
Real GDP: The total market value of all goods and services produced within the political boundaries of an economy during a given period of time, usually one year.
Consumer Price Index: The measure of change in consumer prices as determined by a monthly survey of the National Statistics Bureau. Among the Consumer Price Index components are the costs of housing, food, transportation, and electricity.

Unemployment Rate % and Unemployment Population

Consumer Price Index Monthly

Currency Exchange Rate (USD and EURO)

1-2. Number of Japanese Overseas Travelers in September 2007

Japan National Tourist Organization announced that the total number of Japanese overseas travelers in September 2007 was 1,596,000, a 1.6% increase over September 2006. In total for January till September it fell by 0.7% from the previous year. Among major destinations, Hawaii (-2.7%) had a decrease after a 3 month continual increase and Guam (+4.1%) showed a continued increase into its 2nd month. Saipan (-43.3%) showed a decline for its 24th month as from the influence of the decrease in air-seat supply. In Asia, Singapore (+5.5%) and Hong Kong (+0.0) showed an increase or no change from the previous year, while Korea (-9.5%), Taiwan (-0.7%) and Vietnam (-18.8%) suffered from a decline from the previous year. Destinations in Oceania, Australia (-10.4%) had a decrease while New Zealand (+9.5%) showed an increase after a long 28 months of continued decrease. 
Narita International Airport reported that the number of Japanese departures in September 2007 was 890,576 up by 0.1% from the same month of the year before.  Kansai International Airport recorded 322,300, (-4.0%), and Central Japan International Airport 168,700, (+2.9%).

Number of Japanese Overseas Travelers by Destinations July to September 2007

Changes % = vs. the same month of the year before 　　*Figures not available
Source: Japan Tourism Marketing Co, and JNT

Number of Japanese Overseas Travelers by Departure Airport (Sep. 2007）

1-3. Gross Sales of Major Companies (Outbound Travel Products)

Gross sales in outbound travel of the top 50 travel companies were approximately 262 billion JPY in September 2007.  It has increased by 1.8% from the same month of the previous year.  Gross sales of outbound package tours were 78.3 billion JPY in September 2007, increased by 5.0% from September 2006, and total number of tourists on package tours increased by 4.0%. Per person sales in September 2007 were up by some 1,500 yen from the same months of 2006 respectively, largely due to the rise of land cost in accommodation in particular, coupled with recent depreciation of Japanese yen against major foreign currencies.

Chart 1: Major Wholesalers Sales(Sep. 2007)　 (million JPY）

KNT: Kinki Nippon Tourist, NTA: Nippon Travel Agency, HEI: Hankyu Express International,
TOP: Toptour Corporation (formerly Tokyu Tourist Corporation)

Chart 2: Gross Sales of the Top 50 Travel Companies　 (Sep. 2007) 　　(million JPY)

Chart3: Gross Sales of Package Tours 　(Sep. 2007)  

Chart4: Per Person Sales　 (Sep. 2007)                  (JPY)

Chart 5: Per Person Sale