Japan summer tourism season sees shift from China-driven demand

TOKYO - Japan is expecting its heavy dependence on Chinese tourists to lessen this summer travel season, counting on visitors from other Asian countries and European travelers to make up for sluggish Chinese demand amid worsening bilateral diplomatic ties.

The number of Chinese visitors to Japan in the first six months of this year dived 56.4 percent from a year earlier, as Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's contentious remarks in parliament last year over how Japan might respond to a crisis over Taiwan took its toll. China, angered by the remarks, advised its citizens not to travel to Japan and ramped up economic pressure.