Apparently, though, not so among their youngest citizens, with a new study showing that only 17.5% of young Japanese adults hold a passport, in stark contrast to worldwide travel statistics. This phenomenon is part of a broader trend among younger generations in Japan that prefer to travel domestically rather than internationally, a combination of a weakened yen, increased flight costs and security concerns overseas have all caused the growing trend. This new trend is having an effect on Japan’s outbound travel, but at the same time bringing changes to the travel industry in Japan, more and more people are now deciding to look around Japan instead of going abroad.

The study, which was done using the new travel app, compared passport ownership in Japan in other major developed economies and showed that countries including South Korea, the United States and Taiwan have far higher percentages of passport holders. This disparity highlights young Japanese people’s reluctance to travel abroad at a time when travel abroad has a tradition in Japan.

Overseas leisure travel affected by weak yen and increasing flight charges

Subtle messages are being spread by young Japanese travelers that the era of traveling abroad among Japanese travelers is over and that they won’t be traveling abroad. One of the reasons for that is the weak yen. With the yen tumbling further relative to major currencies, travel abroad has just got a lot more expensive for the Japanese people. The cost of travel overseas already very expensive with airfare, accommodations, and other expenses has only gotten more expensive with the fall of the yen. Yet for a lot of younger Japanese, it means less incentive to travel the world when there are cheap alternatives at home.

Increasing flight prices have made things worse. The airline industry has been challenged by increasing fuel prices and other financial headwinds, and international ticket prices have gone higher. For young people, many of whom spend gap years or time abroad on a budget, flight costs can be the most significant barrier. Instead, domestic planes and trains in Japan, even with the effective but dated Shinkansen (bullet train) system, provide a more economical and accessible alternative.

Japan’s weakening yen has sapped purchasing power and made travel costlier for its nationals, and this has prompted more Japanese to simply travel at home, where costs are more manageable and predictable. Consequently, there are many hot domestic spots, such as Okinawa, Hokkaido, and Kyoto, thanks to this travel style transition.

Safety Concerns and Implications for International Travel

Besides economy, also safety concerns overseas are hindering the travel of young Japanese. With global happenings such as political unrest, natural disasters, and lingering worries of COVID-19, there are now certain international destinations that might not seem as appealing for trekkers. Passengers may be discouraged by media reporting of instability or public health risks, particularly by the younger generation that are more risk adverse on the global safety situation.

These worries are made worse by the lack of clarity about travel bans and health policies in many nations. So even as international borders have begun to reopen, the shifting nature of travel regulations, the threat of new restrictions and differing health conditions can make travel overseas a seemingly unpredictable and risky proposition.

Moreover, a relatively high sense of safety and public health here in Japan, even in the age of COVID-19, can also make travelling domestically seem a more safe and hassle-free option. Japan’s stable infrastructure and rigorous safety policies make it possible for locals to take domestic trips without experiencing the uncertainty and hassle of international travel.

Domestic Tourism Development and Regional Economic Revival

Local tourism sees significant boom on the back of young Japanese turning their eyes to domestic travel. Japan’s famous for its rich cultural history, dramatic scenery and exciting urban centers, and now its culture and landscape are attracting the Japanese themselves in record numbers. Even places like Hokkaido’s snow capped mountains, Kyoto’s ancient temples and Okinawa’s tropical beaches are being more widely visited by Japanese tourists.

Growth in domestic tourism is helping to spread the wealth of tourism income around Japan more equally. Historically, international visitors to Japan have been largely concentrated in big cities such as Tokyo and Osaka. But as more Japanese nationals begin travel within the country, regions once left in the shadows have begun experiencing a tourism boom. The result has been rural economic growth, as more people visit small towns, national parks and historic sites that often are outside the reach of international travelers.

Or, for that matter, domestic tourism has sparked new local travel trends. For example, numerous young Japanese voyagers are looking to become immersed in culture experiences, namely, check in at a ryokan, participating in a local gastronomic tour, hiking in rural Japan. This trend promotes the local economy by stimulating spending at small businesses, such as restaurants, local shops and regional tour companies.

The government also moved to spur domestic tourism, with campaigns such as the Go To Travel initiative, offering discounts to Japanese who travel within the country. These initiatives have been crucial in keeping the tourism at bay during the challenging time of economic uncertainty while people have been motivated to get to know ideas, regions and resources in their own backyards.

What Japan’s New Tourism Agency Should Do

Although people are anxious or financially constrained toward travelling overseas, the domestic tourist market is full of potential for Japan. The nation has an impressive transportation network (best known for the Shinkansen rail network and cheap flights) so citizens can experience a new area without traveling abroad. While attitudes have been shaped by the pandemic, continued economic recovery and increased safety and security could lead young Japanese to venture overseas once more.

But in the meantime, domestic tourism continues to dominate Japan’s tourism landscape. As young people travel around the country to see its fascinating natural beauty and cultural diversity, the tourism industry is going to keep getting bigger, no matter what problems crop up with international travel. Given the rising interest in local destinations, Japan’s tourism industry is poised to make a speedy recovery and do very well in the years to come.

With young Japanese increasingly favoring the pleasures of domestic travel, the tourism in Japan for the future will most likely be about how to fashion memorable domestic travel experiences capable of competing with the attractions of foreign lands. It can do so by devoting itself to sustainability and accessibility and, in the process, make sure that its tourism market stays resilient, varied and relevant to a changing resident population.

(Source: Japan Tourism.)