Wednesday, August 14, 2024 Japan’s travel industry faces increasing concerns about the inadequate safety information available to foreign tourists, particularly as the country remains on high alert after a series of powerful earthquakes. These tourists could be at serious risk if another disaster strikes. MThe region from Okinawa to Tokyo Bay remains on heightened alert following the magnitude 7.
1 earthquake that hit Kyushu’s east coast on August 8. Experts warn that this tremor could foreshadow a much larger earthquake in the Nankai Trough, a 900-kilometer offshore fault line. Should a megaquake, similar to the magnitude-9 earthquake that struck northeastern Japan in March 2011, occur, the results could be devastating.
Foreign visitors, unfamiliar with the Japanese language, may struggle to follow critical instructions during a major natural disaster. These instructions include evacuation routes, where to seek medical care, and finding shelter, as emphasized by Takayama. International Travel Expert Mr.
Anup Kumar Keshan says “Serious blow for Japan’s tourism sector as hotels face thousands of cancellations ,Airlines change route all tourist attraction spots restrict entry. Leisure tourists and Business travellers have changed their holiday schedule & business meetings,shifting to Thailand and South Korea” In response, Takayama led a meeting on Tuesday to enhance disaster response protocols. This meeting focused on locating company staff and travelers, ensuring their safety, and managing any necessary evacuations or medical assistance.
The Japan Meteorological Agency’s (JMA) recent megaquake alert has already impacted travel plans, leading to numerous cancellations. This alert, triggered by the 7.1-magnitude earthquake in Kyushu, suggests a heightened likelihood of a major quake in the Nankai Trough.
While no abnormal changes in the earth’s crust have been detected, the advisory remains, urging everyone to stay vigilant and review their earthquake preparedness. The fear of a looming disaster is palpable across the Kyushu region, with hotels seeing a wave of cancellations and events being canceled following the earthquake and the subsequent megaquake alert. In Miyazaki Prefecture, the tourism industry in Nichinan, famous for its beaches and Edo Period townscape, has been particularly hard-hit by these cancellations.
Road closures are further complicating access to tourist sites like the Sun Messe Nichinan theme park, which remains open but with only one entry route available. Three beaches in Nichinan, which had been closed, are scheduled to reopen on Thursday. Kazuya Miyahara from the prefectural government’s tourism department noted that the impact of the megaquake warning is becoming more evident, as visitor numbers at tourist spots in Miyazaki are lower than usual.
Miyahara also reported that two prefecture-owned hotels—Ebino Kogen Hotel and Hotel Takachiho—experienced several cancellations, with seven visitors canceling at the former and 59 at the latter. Sansuien, a traditional hot spring inn in Kochi Prefecture, which is expected to be severely affected by a megaquake, saw around 450 guest reservations canceled immediately after the Japan Meteorological Agency issued the megaquake alert. Events, especially those near the coast, are being canceled or postponed rapidly.
For example, Tokushima Prefecture canceled its family-friendly hiking and snorkeling events scheduled for Monday and Saturday. Shizuoka Prefecture also postponed the Yaizu Marine fireworks festival, initially planned for Wednesday or Thursday, for safety reasons. However, not all areas under the megaquake alert are experiencing a decline in tourism.
The Kochi tourism association reported that the city’s major events, including a fireworks festival and a yosakoi dance festival, went ahead without a significant drop in attendance despite last week’s earthquake. Japan’s Prime Minister, Fumio Kishida, canceled his planned visit to Central Asia this weekend due to concerns about the increased risk of a megaquake along the Pacific coast. This decision follows the magnitude 7.
1 earthquake in the southwest on Thursday. Facing low approval ratings and a ruling party presidential election next month, Kishida announced his decision during a Friday press conference. He had been scheduled to attend a summit with Central Asian leaders in Astana and meet Mongolia’s President in Ulaanbaatar on Monday, according to Kyodo News.
The Japan Meteorological Agency’s warning about the heightened risk of a massive earthquake along the Pacific coast does not necessarily indicate that a quake is imminent. However, public broadcaster NHK reported that Kishida’s trip was canceled to allow him to prepare for any potential disasters. The advisory focuses on the Nankai Trough, a subduction zone in the Pacific Ocean where massive earthquakes have occurred in the past.
This 800-kilometer undersea trough, stretching from Shizuoka to Kyushu, has been the site of destructive magnitude-8 or 9 earthquakes every 100 to 200 years. These “megathrust quakes,” which often occur in pairs, have historically triggered deadly tsunamis along Japan’s southern coast. In 1707, all segments of the Nankai Trough ruptured simultaneously, causing Japan’s second-most powerful earthquake on record, after the March 2011 quake off the northeast coast.
That earthquake triggered a tsunami that killed over 18,000 people and led to the triple meltdown at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. Japan’s visa-free entry policy for 71 countries has significantly boosted its tourism industry, driving growth in leisure, business travel, and international events, and contributing to economic vitality. Japan’s decision to allow visa-free entry for citizens of 71 countries, including those in the Schengen area, has made the country more accessible to international travelers, fueling growth across various sectors.
Leisure travel has surged as tourists from these visa-exempt countries take advantage of easier access to explore Japan’s cultural heritage, vibrant cities, and natural landscapes. Business travel has also increased, with more professionals visiting for short-term engagements, negotiations, and networking opportunities. The ease of entry has also strengthened Japan’s position as a prime destination for international meetings and events, attracting large conferences, expos, and corporate gatherings.
This overall increase in travel inflow is boosting Japan’s global profile and significantly contributing to the economic vitality of its tourism sector. In March 2024, Japan saw a record-breaking surge in international tourism, with 3.08 million visitors, an 11.
7% increase from March 2019. South Korean tourists led the influx with 663,100 visitors, followed by Taiwan with 484,400, and China with 452,400. European tourists also contributed significantly, totaling 1,663,432 visitors.
Tokyo’s Haneda Airport set a new record with approximately 19.1 million international passengers in fiscal 2023. Japan’s natural and entertainment attractions continued to draw visitors, with Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park attracting 70.
8 million visitors and Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea theme parks drawing a combined total of 22.09 million guests. Financially, 2023 was a landmark year for Japan’s tourism sector.
International tourism expenditure reached approximately 5.31 trillion Japanese yen, marking a full recovery from the downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and setting a new record. The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) expects the sector’s contribution to Japan’s economy to reach nearly ¥44.
6 trillion in 2024, a 5.7% increase over the 2019 peak. This growth highlights the vital role of travel and tourism, which accounts for 7.
5% of Japan’s GDP. Employment in the sector is projected to surpass 6 million jobs, a 10% increase from the previous year and 209,700 more than the previous high point, underscoring the sector’s importance in supporting Japan’s workforce and boosting national employment. International visitor spending is expected to set new records this year, rising to ¥6.
3 trillion, while domestic visitor spending is projected to reach nearly ¥24.9 trillion, surpassing 2019 levels by 16% and 2%, respectively. Japan’s government is actively promoting sustainable tourism through initiatives such as encouraging visits to lesser-known destinations, fostering local collaboration, and adopting innovative strategies to reduce congestion.
In 2023, Japan’s travel and tourism sector demonstrated robust recovery, growing by more than a third (34.4%) to nearly ¥41.8 trillion, representing 7.
1% of the national economic output. By 2034, the sector is expected to contribute nearly ¥48.64 trillion annually to Japan’s GDP, representing 7.
9% of the economy. Employment is projected to reach nearly 6.8 million jobs, with one in 10 working in travel and tourism.
On Monday, Typhoon Maria brought significant challenges to Japan’s transportation networks, especially in the northeastern regions, leading to flight cancellations by airlines including Japan Airlines and Qantas. The storm caused widespread disruption, severely impacting air, rail, and road services, and affecting both local and international travelers. The typhoon’s impact on transportation highlights the vulnerability of travel plans during severe weather events, particularly in Japan, where efficient and reliable transport infrastructure is essential.
.
