Part of that upsurge reflects a recovery from the rapid and massive drop in tourism following the earthquake, tsunami and radiation fears in 2011, but it also supports the understanding that Japan is still an untapped tourist destination. Developing a larger tourist market can contribute to a healthy, diversified economy and serve as one source of economic vitality.
Japan has not yet developed its tourist market fully, but given the ongoing economic depression, it should be considered more seriously as an important industry. Perhaps because the rest of Asia, particularly Southeast Asia, leaped ahead too quickly into tourism without sufficient controls and infrastructure, some Japanese may fear the result of a huge influx of tourists here.