TOKYO - Spending by foreign tourists to Japan in the January-March period rose 2.5 percent from a year earlier to 2.3 trillion yen ($15 billion), the third-highest quarterly total on record, government data showed Wednesday, reflecting continued growth in visitor numbers.
The increase, reported by the Japan Tourism Agency, was supported by rising arrivals from South Korea and Taiwan, despite a sharp decline in visitors from China amid diplomatic tensions with Japan over Taiwan.
During the first quarter of 2026, visitors from Taiwan spent the most at 388.4 billion yen, up 22.5 percent from a year before, followed by those from South Korea at 318.2 billion yen, up 12.7 percent.
Visitors from the United States spent 16.6 percent more than a year before at 259.2 billion, on the back of a weaker yen. But spending by Chinese travelers halved to 271.5 billion yen.
Looking ahead, the agency plans to closely monitor the impact of Middle East crisis triggered by U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran that began in late February, which has disrupted flight services and is expected to push up airfares.
In March alone, the number of foreign visitors rose 3.5 percent from a year earlier to 3.6 million, a record for the month, boosted by demand during Japan's cherry blossom season, the Japan National Tourism Organization said.
By country and region, South Korea led in visitor numbers with 795,600 people, up 15.0 percent, followed by Taiwan, which posted a 24.9 percent rise to 653,300, with both marking record highs for March on sustained travel demand and increased flight services.
Malaysia and Indonesia also posted strong growth, rising 44.2 percent to 76,600 and 36.6 percent to 82,800, respectively, supported by increased overseas travel demand tied to holidays.
Visitors from China continued to dive in March, falling 55.9 percent to 291,600, with Beijing urging its citizens to avoid traveling to Japan.
Relations between Tokyo and Beijing have soured since Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's remarks in early November on a contingency over Taiwan, a self-ruled island China sees as part of its territory.
Visitors from the Middle East, meanwhile, fell 30.6 percent to 16,700.
Japan Tourism Agency head Shigeki Murata told a press conference that it is "difficult to foresee at the moment" how the conflict will affect inbound demand.
The cumulative number of international visitors in January-March surpassed 10 million for the second straight year.
