A government meeting was held for the first time on the 6th to discuss measures against so-called "overtourism," in which the concentration of tourists in tourist spots causes various adverse effects while inbound demand recovers. The government plans to compile highly effective measures as early as this autumn.
The meeting held at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism on June 6 was attended by representatives from related ministries and agencies, including the Japan Tourism Agency and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.
The number of foreign tourists visiting Japan was estimated to be more than 7.232 million in July, about 7% of what it was before the coronavirus, and the recovery trend continues, but on the other hand, "overtourism," which causes various adverse effects due to the concentration of tourists in tourist spots, has become an issue.
At the meeting on the 6th, cases were introduced in which public transportation around tourist spots has become congested, making it difficult for locals to use them, and cases in which tourists have entered private land without permission to take pictures.
In addition, as efforts to address these issues, cases were introduced in which the congestion status of tourist attractions was posted in real time on the official website in order to disperse the flow of people, and signs were installed with manners that tourists should observe.
The government will continue to hold meetings of relevant ministries and agencies to continue to consider the matter, and hopes to compile highly effective measures this autumn.