Japan’s tourism boom is adding pressure on local authorities to expand accommodation taxes as cities and prefectures seek to manage rising visitor numbers and fund services amid record international arrivals.
The country's tourism rebound is giving fresh urgency to local debates over accommodation taxes, as cities and prefectures look for ways to cover the costs of increased visitor numbers.
The pressure comes as arrivals reach new highs. According to Nippon.com, citing Japan National Tourism Organization data, Japan welcomed a record 42.7 million international visitors in 2025, up from 36.9 million in 2024 and well above the pre-pandemic 2019 level of 31.9 million.
The same data showed visitor spending also rose to a record ¥9.5 trillion in 2025, underlining tourism's growing role in the economy even as crowded districts, transport hubs and popular attractions come under increasing strain.
Accommodation taxes are one tool local governments can use to channel a portion of tourism spending into destination management, infrastructure and public services. For travellers, however, the growing use of such levies adds to the overall cost of visiting Japan.
Officials and tourism operators are now balancing the benefits of record visitor numbers with the need to keep destinations sustainable and enjoyable for both residents and visitors.
Pakistan is seeking fresh Turkish investment after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan agreed to deepen economic coopera...
A Russian drone strike has damaged a SOCAR fuel station in southern Ukraine, as both Russia and Ukraine reported new attacks on energy infrastructure ...
England will face Norway in the World Cup quarter-finals after Erling Haaland scored twice late on to stun five-time champions Brazil 2-1 and send Nor...
Iran has begun talks with Japan about selling oil to Japanese companies, according to Iranian and Western sources. The discussions come less than a month after the U.S. eased decades-old sanctions on Iranian oil as part of efforts to secure a final peace deal with Tehran.
For decades, Japan was one of Asia's most popular destinations for Chinese tourists. From 1 July, however, a steep rise in visa fees is adding fresh pressure to a travel market already weakened by political tensions and falling visitor numbers.
China has expanded export controls against 40 Japanese companies and institutions, adding 20 entities to its export control list and placing another 20 under heightened scrutiny in a move targeting Japan's defence and industrial sectors.
North Korea has sharply condemned joint U.S.-Japan military drills, warning of consequences as tensions rise in the Asia-Pacific. The criticism comes amid ongoing missile tests and intensified regional security coordination.
The death toll from Venezuela's devastating twin earthquakes has risen to 3,342, according to the country's information ministry, as rescue teams continue searching affected areas and survivors face an uncertain recovery.
Russia's Defence Ministry has said its forces are clearing the town of Lyman in Donetsk of Ukrainian forces, Moscow's state news agency Tass reported. Meanwhile, Russian attacks killed at least six people across three Ukrainian regions on Friday, regional officials said.
Governments are tightening restrictions on teenagers’ use of social media amid growing concerns over mental health, online safety and platform design, but questions remain over enforcement and whether bans can meaningfully change behaviour.
President Donald Trump said Iran is keen to reach a deal with the United States, claiming Washington had paused engagement to allow funeral ceremonies for late Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Thousands of mourners gathered in Tehran on Sunday as Iran held funeral prayers for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and four members of his family on the second day of mass processions. Three of Khamenei's sons attended the ceremony, while his successor, Mojtaba Khamenei, made no public appearance.
Tourism operators in eastern Latvia say repeated incursions by stray military drones linked to the war in Ukraine are driving visitors away from one of the country's most popular summer destinations, threatening hundreds of small businesses that rely on seasonal trade.
TUI has reported sustained demand for holidays despite the Iran war, as the world’s biggest travel company posted lower-than-expected quarterly losses and said bookings for the second half of the year remained strong.
Travellers worried about costs and flights by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East are changing their summer holiday plans, with lastminute bookings, safer destinations such as Spain, and rail travel all growing in popularity.
A Turkish Airlines plane caught fire in its landing gear tyres after landing at Tribhuvan International Airport on Monday (11 May) morning, temporarily disrupting airport operations, officials said.
ITA Airways is preparing to raise ticket prices by between 5% and 10% this year as soaring fuel costs linked to the conflict involving Iran, Israel and the U.S. continue to pressure airlines worldwide.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment