Japan’s Immigration Services Agency shared that the nation reached an impressive 36.78 million foreign arrivals in 2024, surpassing the pre-pandemic benchmark of 31.19 million back in 2019.

The surge in visitors is largely due to a weakened yen and the resumption of international flights following the easing of COVID-19 restrictions. From the total 2024 arrivals, 33.36 million were tourists or business travelers, while roughly 170,000 held student visas.

Additionally, approximately 150,000 individuals entered Japan on technical internships, marking a 19% decline from 2023. Conversely, the influx of specialized skilled workers rose by 48%, totaling around 60,000 individuals.

South Koreans represented the largest group of visitors, totaling 8.63 million. Other significant nationalities included Taiwan with 5.69 million, Mainland China with 5.49 million, and the United States with 2.67 million.