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Number of Japanese Travelers to Overseas Hits Record High in 2000
The total number of Japanese who traveled overseas last year increased 8.9 percent from a year earlier to reach a record 17.82 million, according to a draft white paper on tourism released Tuesday by Japan's transport ministry.
The figure exceeded the previous high of 16.80 million in 1997.
The increase reflected the fact that more Japanese visited Asian countries and regions because of lower costs, short distances traveled and Japanese travelers' inclination toward a short-term stay, said the draft compiled by the Land,Infrastructure and Transport Ministry.
In 2000, Japanese visitors to China increased 20 percent, to South Korea 13 percent and to Thailand 8 percent, the draft said.
Meanwhile, the total number of foreigners who visited Japan, many of whom were from Asia, also hit a record 4.76 million, up 7.2 percent from the previous year.
Visitors from China increased 21 percent to 350,000, while travelers from South Korea rose 13 percent to 1.06 million.
Visitors from Asia accounted for 64 percent of all foreign visitors to Japan in the reporting year, according to the draft.
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