Record 36.8 million tourists visited Japan in 2024

Published

1 year ago

January 15, 2025

Japan aims to attract a yearly 60 million tourists by 2030. Photo: Kazuhiro NOGI / AFP Source: AFP

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.”

‘If I Don’t Confess I Will die’ – Doris Ogala Leaks Video Call With Pastor Chris Okafor (Watch)

Published

6 hours ago

January 22, 2026

Ekwutos Blog

Nollywood actress, Doris Ogala, has released a video call claiming it is one of his numerous conversations with the embattled Pastor of Grace Nation International, Chris Okafor.

The video shared on her Instagram page captured Pastor Chris in a brown suit and red tie inside what appeared to be an office, while Doris was lying on her bed during the call.

The movie star said the recording captured her touching her breast during the conversation, stressing that the video was only a sample and promised to release a longer version and additional recordings.

Doris Oga stressed that she has reached her limit and was ready to expose more evidence because she will die if she does not confess.

She wrote, “I get enough. I go even post audition. This na sample. Thank you for this opportunity once again. In this screen record. I was touching my breast. I will post the full one with audio. I know you enjoyed the little fame. I will be responding with my boyfriends friend audios and video. This is between me and Chris.

“Don’t worry i will be very fast.. even where both of us were naked . I have it .. don’t u know if I don’t confess I will die. Do you think this is a joke. God say I should confess everything i was naked here. He was trying to make me fight with my friend. Our national president. Emeka rollas.

“This fight is not yours . Is between almighty God and Chris okafor.”

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DTxLrA6jVg5/?igsh=ZW9xb3B3N3kyZWk2

Police denies alleged kidnap of 100 worshippers in Kaduna community

Published

2 days ago

January 20, 2026

Ekwutos Blog

Police in Kaduna State has denied the abduction of over 100 worshippers at Kajuru in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

The state Police Commissioner, Alhaji Muhammad Rabiu, while addressing newsmen after the State Security Council meeting described the report as “mere falsehood peddled by conflict entrepreneurs,” that want to cause chaos in the state.

He challenged anyone to list the names of the kidnapped victims and other particulars.

The commissioner of Police warned rumor mongers to desist from trying to derail the prevailing peace in the state, threatening to unleash the full wrath of the law on such merchants of falsehood.

The Chairman of Kajuru local government, Dauda Madaki, while condemning the false report, explained that when he heard the rumour of the attack, they mobilized police and other security forces to the area, Kurmin Wali, but found out that there was no attack.

According to him, “We visited the church where the so called kidnap took place, there was no evidence of the attack. I asked the village head, Mai Dan Zaria, and he said that there was no such attack.”

He added that he also called the youth leader of the area, Bernard Bona who was interviewed by pressmen that accompanied him, refuting that no such thing happened.

The chairman challenged anyone to name the people that were kidnapped, saying, “I have been waiting for this list and no one has come forward with any name.”

He alleged that the rumor of the kidnap is being sponsored by people who are not happy with the relative peace that Kajuru has been enjoying since the coming of the present administration.

He advised the people of the area to remain calm and go about their lawful businesses, stressing that they should report any suspicious movements and rumour mongers to security agents.

The Commissioner of Internal Security and Home, Sule Shauibu (SAN), explained that the CAN chairman and other religious leaders have interacted with the people of the area where the so-called kidnap occurred, saying that they found out that what was pushed out to the public was completely false.

Man Calls Out Babalowo ‘Ifayemi’ Who Allegedly Did ‘Money Ritual for Destiny Boy (Video)

Published

2 days ago

January 20, 2026

Ekwutos Blog

A Nigerian man has sparked widespread reactions online after publicly calling out a Babalawo identified as Ifayemi over claims linked to the death of late Afrofuji singer Destiny Boy.

In an emotional outburst that has continued to circulate on social media, the man accused the spiritualist of giving the young singer juju he described as “too much” for his age.

Speaking passionately, the man said he is still struggling to come to terms with the singer’s death.

“Ifayemi, I have not accepted that Destiny Boy is dead. If it is true, then you are one of those who killed him. What you gave him was too much,” he said.

He alleged that many young people are dying prematurely because some Babalawos give them rituals their ages cannot handle.

The man also questioned how Destiny Boy allegedly afforded a “N30 million plus car” despite claims that he was not financially buoyant.

In his words:

“Ifayemi, I have not accepted that Destiny Boy is dead. If it is true, then you are one of those who killed him. What you gave him was too much.

They said he only did ‘IFA’, and shortly after that, he went to buy a ‘N30 million plus car’. If someone does ‘IFA’, does that mean the person wants to do money ritual? ‘IFA’ does not make one rich. When you do ‘IFA’, it is your family curses that will be washed away, but that does not mean you will have money.

After that, they will ask you what you want. Do you want money? That is when they now do rituals for you. The type of ritual you ask for is what they will do for you. But ‘IFA’ and money ritual are two different things.

If you went ahead to do something heavy, you must have passed a certain age. These days, youth deaths are becoming common because what babalawos are giving young people is too much for their age.

Ifayemi, if they later bury that boy, it is you that killed him. The juju you gave that boy was too much. They said Destiny Boy did not have money, yet he was using a ‘N30 million plus car’. How much was he even getting from his shows?

My father is also a babalawo. If you go to meet my father and say you want to do ritual, the first thing he will ask is your age. If you say you are 20 or 30-something, he will tell you he cannot do it for you because untimely death is the consequence from ‘Ajonu’, and it will beat them to death.

Can’t you see that it is accidents killing most of them? It is only this one that died while drying up alive.

Someone told me just last night that he wanted to release a new album and asked me to help promote it. I told him we should talk this morning, and now today he is dead. Me, I have not accepted that this boy is dead o.”

See below;

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DTq3SCWkrqG/?igsh=MWUxODM2azF4ajM5Yg==