691,100 S'poreans visited Japan in 2024, all-time high annual record

A total of 691,100 Singaporeans visited Japan in 2024, marking an all-time high record.

According to a press release by the Japan National Tourism Organisation (JNTO) Singapore Office on Jan. 16, this marks a 16.9 per cent increase compared to the record 591,300 visitors in 2023.

The increase in Singaporean travellers was attributed to the weaker Japanese yen and also the launch of new flight services between the two countries.

Stronger Singapore currency, new flights, travel promotions

In the release, JNTO highlighted that December 2024 was "especially noteworthy", given that a total of 136,200 Singaporeans had travelled to Japan that month.

This was a 19.8 per cent year-on-year increase in visitors.

The reasons for the increase include:

• The weaker Japanese yen making visiting Japan "more affordable and appealing"
• Newly launched flights and increased seat availability between both countries increased accessibility and demand
• JNTO Singapore Office's jointly advertising and collaborating with airlines, travel agencies and the media to expand its reach
• Lesser-known regional destinations were promoted via travel fairs, pop culture events, and digital campaigns

The executive director of JNTO Singapore office, Takuya Shiraishi, thanked Singaporeans who visited Japan in 2024, making it a record-breaking year.

"Looking ahead to 2025, Japan is set to gain even greater attention with the highly anticipated World Expo in Osaka," he added.

Shiraishi said the JNTO "warmly welcomes" more visitors from Singapore, and that the organisation will continue to "strengthen its promotional efforts" to drive travel to Japan's regional areas.

Japan's plans and initiatives to boost tourism in 2025

JNTO added that it had launched the "Fly and Explore" initiative to help tackle Singaporean travellers concerns when it comes to the accessibility of Japan's hidden gems.

This has been done through the set-up of webpages to highlight convenient domestic flight routes, recommended spots and travel tips.

The organisation also launched its Japan by Japan (JbyJ) Mail Magazine to share updated and useful information with Singapore travellers related to Japan travel.

Apart from JNTO's initiatives for Singaporean travellers, JNTO will also focus on the World Expo 2025, which is set to happen in Osaka from Apr. 13 to Oct. 12, 2025.

The event will showcase exhibits, cultural performances, and global dialogues, while JNTO's "EXPO and Tourism" campaign will provide videos showcasing must-visit spots across ten Japanese regions, such as Hokkaido, Kyushu, Okinawa and more.

In addition, the Japan Tourism Agency has also introduced "Travel Etiquette for the Future" which is a guidebook to encourage visitors to practise responsible travel and ensure advance sustainable tourism in Japan.

Top photo via Canva