1-1.Japanese Economic Trend (released in February 2011)

1-2. Number of Japanese Overseas Travelers in February 2011

Ministry of Justice announced that the number of Japanese overseas travelers in December was 1,308,822, a 5.6% increase over December 2009, and that in January 2011 is estimated 1,296,000, a 2.5% increase from January 2010.

Japan National Tourist Organization announced that the estimated number of Japanese overseas travelers in February 2011 was 1,387,000, a 7.5% increase over February 2010, and that in March is estimated 1,282,000, an 18.0% decrease from March 2010.

In February, Taiwan +34.7%, Singapore +43.0%, China +8.6%, Hong Kong +15.5%, Viet Nam +29.9%, and Hawaii +8.2% saw a growth of Japanese arrivals over the same month of previous year. The increase in air seat capacity to Taipei and Singapore from Tokyo-Haneda resulted in the remarkable growth of Japanese arrival to these destinations, while Japanese arrival decreased in Korea (-3.9%), Canada (-8.1%), and North Mariana (-9.4%).

Narita International Airport reported that the number of Japanese departures in February 2011 was 647,320 dropped 5.2% from the same month of the year before. Haneda Airport recorded 195,793 (+179.3%), nearly threefold increase, which made the total international departure from two of the Tokyo Metropolitan Airport in February grow by 11.9% from the same month of the previous year. Kansai International Airport 277,930, (+1.1%), and Central Japan International Airport 135,653, (+1.2%).

Number of Japanese Overseas Travelers by Destinations December 2010 to February 2011
Changes % = vs. the same month of the year before *Figures not available Source: Japan Tourism Marketing Co, and JNTO

1-3. Number of Inbound Travelers in February 2011

According to the JNTO, the number of international visitors to Japan for February 2011 was 679,500, a 2.1% rise from the same period of the previous year. Thanks to the recent expansion of the international operation capacity at Haneda Airport and increase of international charter flights Japan enjoyed a growth of tourist arrivals from Korea (+17.1%), Singapore (+15.8%), and Thailand (+36.8%).

The figure for March 2011 is, however, estimated 352,800, nearly a half of March 2010. In response to the gigantic earthquake followed by huge tsunami and the trouble with the nuclear reactors of power plants, many countries have posted travel advisories to Japan, warning their citizens to postpone or refrain from visiting Japan for a non-essential trip and even to evacuate from eastern Japan. They have totally discouraged international travelers to visit Japan in the fear of radiation and continuing aftershock.

On the other hand, two of Hong Kong's major tour operators have already resumed their operation to Okinawa, western Japan, Hokkaido and Tokyo. This was followed by a tour operator based in China.

Number of Inbound Travelers by Destinations December 2010 to February 2011
Source: JNTO

1-4. Gross Sales of Major Companies (Outbound Travel Products)

Gross sales in outbound travel of the top 50 travel companies were approximately 164 billion JPY in February 2011. It has increased by 9.2% from the same month of the previous year. Gross sales of outbound package tours in February 2011 were 47.6 billion JPY, increased by 5.1% from the year ago, while total number of tourists on package tours decreased by 1.7%.