According to data released by the Japanese government on May 14, international tourist arrivals in Japan in April 2026 reached 3.69 million, down 5.5% from April 2025. This marks a significant decline as Japan's tourism industry continues to recover from the pandemic.
The main cause is identified as airlines suspending or reducing numerous flights from the Middle East region, where conflict is escalating. Affected routes include those connecting Japan with Israel, Palestine, and several neighboring countries.
In addition, diplomatic disputes between Japan and China have negatively impacted the number of Chinese tourists, who have been the largest group of visitors to Japan for many years. Visa restrictions and political tensions have significantly reduced arrivals from this market.
Japan’s Tourism Agency stated it is closely monitoring developments and will cooperate with airlines to find solutions to restore flight routes, while stepping up tourism promotion in alternative markets such as Southeast Asia and Europe.
Nonetheless, analysts suggest that if the situation in the Middle East does not stabilize soon, tourist arrivals in Japan may continue to decline in the coming months, affecting the country’s goal of fully reviving its tourism industry.
