June 2026: China Down 457,000 Visitors, Other Markets Add 228,000A · FULL TRANSLATION
- China sent 340,700 visitors to Japan in June, down 57.3% and 457,301 fewer than a year earlier.
- Total arrivals fell by only 229,385, meaning all other markets combined added 227,916, replacing about half the loss.
- Taiwan, South Korea and Hong Kong together added 190,106 visitors in June, 83% of the replacement.
- Over the first half, China shed 2,660,340 visitors while other markets added 2,226,565, replacing more than 83%.
- China's share of total arrivals fell from 30.6% in June 2019 and 23.6% in June 2025 to 10.8% in June 2026.
China sent 340,700 visitors to Japan in June, down 57.3% year on year. JNTO cites a Chinese government advisory against travel to Japan and reduced flight frequencies, while noting that the Dragon Boat Festival shifted into mid-June this year, a factor that should have helped.
The gap is best measured in people. China fell by 457,301 while the national total fell by only 229,385, so other markets supplied 227,916 visitors. The replacement was concentrated: Taiwan added 85,330, South Korea 57,240 and Hong Kong 47,536, together 190,106 or 83% of the total. The United States added 9,350, India 7,477 and the Middle East 5,180.
Over the first half, China totalled 2,058,200 against 4,718,540 a year earlier, a loss of 2,660,340. National arrivals fell by only 433,775, with other markets adding 2,226,565 and replacing 83.7% of the shortfall. South Korea contributed 891,502 and Taiwan 687,401.
The business effect sits in spending mix and channel rather than headcount. China's share fell from 30.6% in June 2019 to 10.8% in June 2026. Channels built on Chinese group tours, duty-free retail and drugstore traffic have lost far more than the 6.8% national decline; channels serving Taiwanese, Korean and long-stay Western independent travellers are growing. Three variables to watch: whether the Chinese advisory stays in place, how fast Japan-China flight capacity returns, and the high base that Taiwan and South Korea will face next year. This site begins regular monthly tracking of this series from this edition.
Translated from JNTO's East Asia commentary and data in "Visitor Arrivals (June 2026 preliminary figures)".
East Asia, June (2025 / 2026 / change): China 798,001 / 340,700 / -57.3%; South Korea 729,860 / 787,100 / +7.8%; Taiwan 585,070 / 670,400 / +14.6%; Hong Kong 166,764 / 214,300 / +28.5%.
First half (2025 / 2026 / change): China 4,718,540 / 2,058,200 / -56.4%; South Korea 4,783,598 / 5,675,100 / +18.6%; Taiwan 3,284,799 / 3,972,200 / +20.9%; Hong Kong 1,271,056 / 1,298,500 / +2.2%; total 21,518,575 / 21,084,800 / -2.0%.
JNTO commentary: China recorded 340,700 visitors, down 57.3%. The Chinese government issued an advisory urging people to avoid travel to Japan. Although the Dragon Boat Festival that began in late May last year fell in mid-June this year, reduced flight frequencies and other factors left arrivals below the same month a year earlier. South Korea recorded 787,100, up 7.8%; last year's three-day holiday weekend did not recur this year, but sustained travel demand and increased airline seat capacity produced the highest June figure on record. Taiwan recorded 670,400, up 14.6%, also a June record, supported by sustained demand, the festival timing shift and higher seat capacity. Hong Kong recorded 214,300, up 28.5%, against a year-earlier period affected by social media rumours of an earthquake in Japan, with the festival shift and higher university student demand also contributing.
China by month in 2026: January 385,519 (-60.7%), February 396,511 (-45.2%), March 291,686 (-55.9%), April 330,776 (-56.8%), May 313,000 (-60.4%), June 340,700 (-57.3%).
Notes: A weak yen has persisted across most markets. Typhoon-related flight cancellations occurred in June 2026. 2025 figures are provisional and 2026 figures are preliminary estimates. Credit to the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) is mandatory if reproduced.