【By Observer Net, Deng Jun / Editor Zhao Qianjin】

According to a report by Singapore's Lianhe Zaobao, data released by Japan's Tourism Agency showed that Chinese tourists' spending on accommodation, shopping and other aspects in Japan from October to December 2025 amounted to 353.4 billion yen (about 15.533 billion yuan), a decrease of 17.9% compared to the same period last year.

The Japan Department Store Association announced data on January 23, 2025, showing that department store sales in Japan reached 567.54 billion yen, a 1.5% decline from the previous year, marking negative growth for the first time in five years.

Reuters reported that in the year ending November 2025, Chinese tourists were the largest group of international visitors to Japan, accounting for about a quarter of the total number of international tourists.

Since Japanese Prime Minister Hayashi Sanae made erroneous remarks on Taiwan, the number of mainland Chinese tourists traveling to Japan began to significantly decline: In November 2025, the number of mainland Chinese tourists visiting Japan was 562,600, a significant drop from 715,700 in October of the same year; in December 2025, this number further dropped to 330,400, a sharp decline of 45.3% compared to the same period last year.

Japanese media and experts analyzed that Hayashi Sanae's remarks have already had an impact on multiple sectors of the social economy, including retail, accommodation, and catering.

Previously, Japan usually welcomed a large number of Chinese tourists during the Lunar New Year holiday (December to February of the following year), but the situation is expected to be different in 2026.

According to a report by Nikkei Chinese Web, the four major Japanese department stores, including Mitsukoshi Isetan Holdings, released data on the tax-free sales for December 2025 on January 5, 2026. The data showed that all four companies experienced a decline compared to the same period last year. Among them, Mitsukoshi Isetan (stores in the Tokyo area) declined by 15.8%, Takashimaya declined by 11.1%, Daimaru Matsubaya Department Stores under J.Front Retailing declined by 16.6%, and Hankyu Hanshin Department Stores under H2O Retailing declined by 20%. Looking specifically at sales directed towards Chinese tourists, Takashimaya declined by 35%, and Hankyu Hanshin Department Stores saw a decline of as much as 40%.

The Japan Department Store Association stated that in December 2025, the number of visits by Chinese tourists and tax-free sales at department stores nationwide both decreased by about 40% compared to the same month last year, with overall tax-free sales declining by 17.1%. This trend also affected the total tax-free sales for the entire year of 2025, which fell by 12.7%, marking the first time in four years that it was lower than the previous year's level.

According to Nikkei Asia, six major Japanese department stores expect their operating profits for the period from December 2025 to February 2026 to fall by 24%. Many observers predict that this downward trend will continue.

Additionally, in areas of Japan such as Nagano Prefecture, where tourism is a key industry, the reduction in Chinese tourists has had a tangible impact. Especially during the winter tourism peak season, which heavily relies on Chinese tourists, local hotels, restaurants, and shops generally feel the pressure of operations.

A restaurant owner in Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture said, "In the past, there were many Chinese tourists, but in the past two or three months, they have clearly decreased, almost no longer seen here. Compared to before, our turnover has indeed been affected."

A hotel manager in Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture also mentioned, "Our hotel's overseas guests account for about 13%, of which about 30% are Chinese guests, mainly concentrated in the winter season from December to March of the following year. Currently, the bookings of Chinese guests in February and March have clearly decreased, and both surrounding hotels and the shop street are worried about the future impact."

Data from the Japan Tourism Agency shows that the total number of visitors to Japan in 2025 is expected to reach 42.6836 million, an increase of 15.8% compared to the previous year. Among them, South Korean tourists were the most, at 9.4596 million, an increase of 7.3%; Chinese tourists ranked second with 9.0963 million, an increase of 30.3%.

According to Kyodo News, during the 2026 Chinese Spring Festival holiday, the scale of Chinese tourists traveling to Japan may not reach previous levels, and the impact on Japanese retail and related industries could continue to expand.

A relevant person from the Japan Department Store Association also pointed out the movement of Chinese tourists, stating that the severe situation would continue in the short term, and expressed concerns about sales during the 2026 February Spring Festival holiday.

Reuters also reported that Japan's largest travel agency, JTB, predicted that the number of overseas tourists visiting Japan would continue to decline in 2026, one of the main reasons being a possible decline in the number of tourists from China.

UBS Securities expects that Chinese tourists' spending in Japan in 2026 will decrease by 50%, while Daiwa Securities predicts a decline of about 30%.

This article is an exclusive piece by Observer Net. Reproduction without permission is prohibited.

Original: toutiao.com/article/7599246721532625471/

Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.