Tokyo: Alarmingly, the number of foreign visitors to Japan declined over 99 per cent in September compared with the corresponding month in 2019, local media reported on Thursday.

It is pertinent to note that Japan has banned most foreign travellers from entering the country since January, barring for those who have special reasons, according to reports. According to the Japan National Tourism Organization (NTO), the number of estimated foreign travellers last month was around 17,700, falling 99.2 per cent from September 2019, when 2.27 million visitors arrived in the country. Among the estimated numbers, 4,000 people embarked from China, 2,200 from South Korea, 1,700 from the United States and 1,000 from Vietnam.

Apart from the coronavirus pandemic, the Japanese government is also monitoring the increasing oil prices, which could possibly raise the cost of public transportation and deal another blow on the tourism industry. "Tourism demand quickly evaporated because of the pandemic. Now, as we head into winter, higher kerosene prices are going to be a big problem. In addition, growing fuel costs could have an impact on public transportation," said Tourism Agency Commissioner of Japan Koichi Wada. Wada said under the current situation, the Tourism Agency would be prepared to help with various financial support.

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