Why Are Fewer Japanese People Traveling Abroad?

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1. 01Why Are Fewer Japanese People Traveling Abroad?

   Good afternoon, everyone. Japan is welcoming record numbers of foreign visitors. But when I asked my coworkers about their summer plans, almost nobody was going abroad. That made me curious. Today, I'll look at the numbers for Japanese people traveling overseas.

2. 02The Numbers

   According to the Japan National Tourism Organization, about twenty point one million Japanese people traveled abroad in 2019. In 2024, the number was about thirteen million, roughly thirty-five percent lower.

   Source: Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), outbound travel statistics

3. 03Two Trends Moving in Opposite Directions

   What makes this interesting is the contrast. While foreign visitors to Japan reached a record in 2024, the number of Japanese travelers going abroad was still far below its 2019 level.

   Source: Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), visitor arrival and outbound statistics

4. 04Possible Reason 1: A Weak Yen

   Why might this be? One possible reason is the weak yen. The same thing that makes Japan cheaper for visitors makes foreign hotels and meals feel more expensive for Japanese travelers.

5. 05Possible Reason 2: Rising Costs

   Another possible reason is rising travel costs in general. From what my friends say, flights and hotels abroad seem more expensive than before the pandemic, so many people choose domestic trips instead.

6. 06Being Careful With Causes

   But I want to be careful. The numbers show what happened, not exactly why. Age, work culture, and changing interests might also play a role, and I don't have data to prove any single cause.

7. 07Why It Matters

   Why does this matter? Travel is one of the best ways to build language skills and understand other cultures. If fewer people go abroad, especially young people, they may miss those experiences.

8. 08Conclusion

   To conclude, Japanese travel abroad has not returned to its 2019 level, even as visitors to Japan hit records. Whatever the reasons, I hope more people, especially young people, will find a way to see the world. Thank you.

   Source: Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), visitor arrival and outbound statistics