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Record 36.8 million tourists visited Japan in 2024
Record numbers of tourists flocked to Japan last year, figures showed Wednesday, as the weak yen bolstered the appeal of the “bucket list” destination despite overcrowding complaints in hotspots like Kyoto.
The country logged more than 36.8 million tourist arrivals in 2024, topping 2019’s record of nearly 32 million, according to estimates from the Japan National Tourism Organization.
It marks a return to a boom that began over a decade ago before being interrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic, with numbers up more than four-fold from 2012.
That is partly thanks to government policies to promote attractions from Mount Fuji’s majestic slopes to shrines and sushi bars in more far-flung parts of the archipelago.
Authorities say they want to spread sightseers more evenly around the country. Photo: Kazuhiro NOGI / AFP Source: AFP
Another factor is the cheap yen, which has plunged against other currencies over the past three years, making everything from a bowl of ramen to a handmade Japanese kitchen knife more affordable.
Japan has long been a “bucket list” destination for many people, said Naomi Mano, president of hospitality and events company Luxurique.
But it’s “prime time because at the moment it’s like Japan is on a 30 percent off sale”, Mano told AFP.
Double trouble?
The government has set an ambitious target of almost doubling tourist numbers to 60 million annually by 2030.
Authorities say they want to spread sightseers more evenly around the country, and to avoid a bottleneck of visitors eager to snap spring cherry blossoms or vivid autumn colours.
Japan has long been a ‘bucket list’ destination for many people. Photo: Nicholas SHEARMAN / AFP Source: AFP
But as in other global tourist magnets like Venice in Italy, there has been growing pushback from residents in destinations such as the ancient capital of Kyoto.
The tradition-steeped city, just a couple of hours from Tokyo on the bullet train, is famed for its kimono-clad geisha performers and increasingly crowded Buddhist temples.
Locals have complained of disrespectful tourists harassing the geisha in a frenzy for photos, as well as causing traffic congestion and littering.
In a bid to improve the situation — and cash in — Kyoto on Tuesday announced plans to hike lodging taxes “to realise ‘sustainable tourism’ with a high level of satisfaction for citizens, tourists and businesses”.
“If there’s a burden on the infrastructure, I do think taxing tourists is a good idea” but Kyoto must find the “right balance”, Australian tourist Larry Cooke, 21, told AFP.
Capsule executives
Exasperated officials have also taken steps elsewhere, including introducing an entry fee and a daily cap on the number of hikers climbing Mount Fuji.
Last year a barrier was briefly erected outside a convenience store to stop people standing in the road to photograph a view of the snow-capped volcano that had gone viral.
Authorities have introduced a daily cap on the number of hikers climbing Mount Fuji. Photo: Richard A. Brooks / AFP Source: AFP
Some Japanese companies say they can no longer afford hotels in Tokyo and other major cities, as the high demand from tourists pushes up prices.
Several managers told AFP they are seeking cheaper alternatives, from Airbnb lets to Japan’s famously claustrophobic capsule hotels.
IT company chief Yoshiki Kojima told AFP that he had chosen one with slightly more comfortable bed-sized pods that his employees had liked.
“It’s clean, convenient and has a traditional shared bath house. My employees say it’s fun,” Kojima said.
Economy
The economic benefits are clear, however, with experts noting that tourism is now second only to vehicle exports in terms of earnings.
The economic benefits of tourism are clear. Photo: Philip FONG / AFP Source: AFP
Japan, population 124 million, still receives far fewer tourists than top destination France, which has a population of 68 million and welcomed 100 million visitors in 2023.
So its overtourism woes are mainly because the influx “is centred around specific cities”, Luxurique’s Mano said.
For example, the number of foreign visitors to Tokyo has doubled since 2019, and was up 1.5 times in Osaka.
But Mano thinks the government can take steps to change this by promoting other parts of Japan and “making it easier to access — having more information available, being able to book activities in other rural areas.”
The Lagos State Police Command has arrested and detained social media influencer Habeeb Hamzat, popularly known as Peller, following a viral video that showed him driving recklessly and crashing his vehicle during a live stream.
The arrest was confirmed in a statement issued on Tuesday, December 16, by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abimbola Adebisi. According to the police, the incident occurred on Sunday, December 14, 2025, and sparked widespread public outrage.
The command said the influencer’s conduct posed a serious threat to public safety and required immediate intervention.
“The Lagos State Police Command has arrested and detained, for further investigation, Habeeb Hamzat aka ‘PELLER’, subsequent to the viral video that surfaced online on Sunday 14th December, 2025, in which he was seen driving recklessly, leading to a dangerous road crash and serious motor accident, while the incident was being live streamed, thereby endangering his life and that of other road users,” the statement said.
The police described the act as extremely dangerous, warning that it could have resulted in fatal consequences for both the suspect and other road users.
“His action constitutes a deliberate attempt to commit suicide and endangers the lives of other innocent people,” the statement added.
The command disclosed that the case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for a thorough investigation.
“The case is currently being investigated by the State Criminal Investigation Department. The outcome of the investigation will be made public, and the suspect will be charged to the court of competent jurisdiction in accordance with the law,” the police said.
Reacting to the incident, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Olohundare Jimoh, issued a strong warning to social media influencers and the general public against using online platforms to promote unlawful behavior.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has received with deep sadness the news of the passing of former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad.
Justice Tanko, 71, from Bauchi State, died on Tuesday in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He was the Chief Justice of Nigeria from 2019 to 2022.
President Tinubu describes the late Justice Tanko as an eminent legal mind, a disciplined administrator, and a dedicated public servant who devoted most of his life to upholding justice and strengthening the judiciary.
The President notes that the deceased’s career on the Bench, which culminated in his appointment as CJN, was marked by integrity, courage, and an unwavering commitment to the rule of law.
President Tinubu says the late jurist made invaluable contributions to the development of Nigeria’s legal system, acknowledging that his legacy will remain indelible, particularly among those he mentored.
The President extends his heartfelt condolences to his family, the Supreme Court of Nigeria, the Bar and Bench, and the government and people of Bauchi State.
He prays to Almighty Allah for the repose of his soul.
Bayo Onanuga
Special Adviser to the President
(Information and Strategy)
16th December, 2025
News
Actress Doris Ogala doubles down on claims against Pastor Chris Okafor, insists on compensation or marriage
Actress Doris Ogala has intensified her allegations against Pastor Chris Okafor, insisting she was in a long-term relationship with him from 2017 and was promised marriage.
Speaking emotionally, Doris claimed she supported the pastor privately, bought gifts for his children, and stayed loyal for years, only to be abandoned when he decided to marry someone else.
She accused those online, including Dee One, of taking money to do “damage control,” stressing that her demands are legal, not blackmail. According to her, she is seeking compensation for emotional damage, career loss, and broken promises, adding that her lawyer is already preparing formal demands.
Doris also admitted to phone-based intimacy during her troubled marriage but denied any physical affair at the time. She maintained she has evidence to back her claims and alleged she is not the only woman Pastor Chris promised marriage.
“I’m not backing down. This is my right,” she said, warning that she is ready to speak fully if pushed further.
https://www.instagram.com/p/DSVHaVegjI7/?igsh=ZG1jNWNnZjN4YWZt
Police arrest popular TikToker Peller over reckless driving
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