Japan’s Duty-Free Sales Climb in May as Tourism Boom Endures

KYOTO, JAPAN – The enduring strength of Japan’s tourism sector was highlighted in May, even as government data reveals recent headwinds affecting visitor numbers. According to official figures, the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran is beginning to impact Japan’s travel industry. In April, the number of foreign tourists visiting Japan dropped by 5.5 percent year-on-year to 3.69 million, a decline attributed to the ongoing Middle East tensions and a diplomatic dispute with China.

Despite this recent dip, Japan remains on track toward its ambitious target of welcoming 60 million international visitors by 2030. Last year, the country surpassed the 40 million mark for the first time in its history. The image above, captured by Buddhika Weerasinghe for Getty Images, shows foreign tourists strolling along the path to the Kiyomizudera temple in Kyoto on May 25, 2026.

Source: Bloomberg Generated at: 2026-06-02 03:36:00 UTC