Across Okinawa Prefecture, tourism operators are already feeling the impact of a sharp decline in visitors from the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong. Cancellations and reduced foot traffic are weighing heavily on local businesses.
Many are hoping that diplomatic strains triggered by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's remarks on the Taiwan region will ease soon. The slump highlights how geopolitics can directly influence travel patterns in a globally connected era.
Tourism accounts for roughly 7 percent of Japan's GDP, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council. In 2024, visitors from the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong were the top spenders among inbound groups, fueling growth across hotels, restaurants and cultural sites.
New figures from the Japan Tourism Agency show that from January to September 2025, foreign travellers spent about 6.92 trillion yen (around 44 billion U.S. dollars) nationwide. Yet the share contributed by the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong has dipped to roughly 30 percent, down from last year's highs.
As Okinawa's tourism sector navigates this downturn, operators remain watchful for any easing in diplomatic tensions that could revive visitor confidence and restore footfall to the island's sun-soaked shores.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
