Visitor arrivals to Japan up 9% in 2018, departures up 6%

Japan National Tourism Organisation (JNTO) reported (16-Jan-2019) visitor arrivals to Japan for Dec-2018 and 2018. Details include:

• Dec-2018:
  • Total foreign visitors: 2.6 million, +4.4% year-on-year;
    • South Korea: 681,600, +0.4%;
    • China: 599,100, +6.2%;
    • Taiwan: 335,800, +5.1%;
    • Hong Kong: 209,500, +1.1%;
    • Thailand: 128,300, +10.8%;
    • US: 126,900, +9.2%;
    • Singapore: 87,100, +0.8%;
    • Malaysia: 67,600, +4.5%;
    • Australia: 63,600, +11.0%;
    • Philippines: 55,700, +14.4%;
    • Indonesia: 54,000, +3.2%;
    • France: 28,100, +3.9%;
    • Vietnam: 24,400, +24.0%;
    • United Kingdom: 22,900, -0.2%;
    • Germany: 12,500, +8.7%;
    • India: 10,300, +15.3%;
  • Japanese departures: 1.6 million, +10.9%;
• 12 months ended Dec-2018:
  • Total foreign visitors: 31.2 million, +8.7% year-on-year;
    • China: 8.4 million, +13.9%;
    • South Korea: 7.5 million, +5.6%;
    • Taiwan: 4.8 million, +4.2%;
    • Hong Kong: 2.2 million, -1.1%;
    • US: 1.5 million, +11.0%;
    • Thailand: 1.1 million, +14.7%;
    • Australia: 552,400, +11.6%;
    • Philippines: 504,000, +18.8%;
    • Malaysia: 468,300, +6.5%;
    • Singapore: 437,300, +8.2%;
    • Indonesia: 396,900, +12.7%;
    • Vietnam: 389,100, +26.0%;
    • United Kingdom: 334,000, +7.6%;
    • France: 304,900, +13.5%;
    • Germany: 215,300, +10.1%;
    • India: 154,100, +14.7%;
  • Japanese departures: 19.0 million, +6.0%. [more - original PR - Japanese]