2025 Tourism White Paper Puts Digital Transformation (DX) at Heart of Sustainable Tourism StrategyA · FULL TRANSLATION
The 2025 Tourism White Paper has integrated digital transformation (DX) into the core of Japan’s sustainable tourism strategy to address labor shortages and low productivity. As cashier-less payments increase, Japanese businesses must adapt or risk losing foreign visitors who increasingly prefer contactless methods.
The white paper identifies digital transformation as a key driver in tackling labor shortages and improving productivity within the tourism sector. By 2024, Japan's cashless payment rate is set to reach 42.8% (141.0 trillion yen), up from 29.7% in 2020. This growth indicates a significant shift towards a cashless society, particularly through QR code payments and mobile wallets.
The true value of DX lies in freeing employees from repetitive tasks that can be automated, such as check-ins and point-of-sale processing, to focus on higher-value interactions with guests, thus boosting productivity and enabling companies to offer better wages. For Taiwanese operators looking to expand or operate in Japan, integrating various payment methods is crucial.
The government plans specific measures: expanding marketing for diverse tourism offerings, subsidizing digital tools that improve efficiency, providing DX specialist support, and establishing pilot projects. These initiatives aim to fully digitize local tourist areas.
