Japan approves plan for overtourism measures in 100 areas by 2030
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Visitors walk along Nakamise-dori street as they visit Sensoji temple at Asakusa district, in Tokyo, Japan on March 10, 2025.
PHOTO: REUTERS
TOKYO - The Japanese government on March 27 approved its next basic tourism plan including steps to bring the number of areas with measures against overtourism to 100 by 2030, the first time it has set a target on the issue.
The plan approved by the Cabinet says quality of life for residents in popular destinations is being impacted by large concentrations of visitors and that Japan needs to strengthen overtourism measures in accepting more inbound visitors, an important driver for the nation’s economy.
To date, 47 areas including Kyoto in western Japan have been advancing initiatives based on residents’ feedback.
The next basic tourism promotion plan covers five years from fiscal 2026 to 2030.
It maintains the government’s existing targets to increase inbound visitor numbers to 60 million and their annual spending to ¥15 trillion (S$120.8 billion) by 2030.
The plan’s measures on overtourism include easing congestion on local roads and limiting visitor numbers. It promotes improved transportation capabilities to draw people to regional destinations.
It also says the government will consider drawing up guidelines for public tourism facilities on dual pricing for residents and inbound visitors.
Other specific goals include raising per capita spending by inbound visitors from ¥229,000 in 2025 to ¥250,000 by 2030 and increasing the number of repeat visitors from 27.61 million to 40 million. KYODO NEWS
