Japan tourism still suffering one year on from quake

11 days till the kids and I arrive.. and ill be spending more than 50000yen (those germans must be frugal!)

there is no link between tourism and tepco disaster. i would rather suspect strong yen and increase in fuel costs for steep to moderate decline in future as well.

Flights are almost 1500.00 from Toronto to Tokyo at the present time. Needless to say, all factors have to be looked at. And nobody is looking it here in Canada.

Until the government and TEPCO get their act together, this will be a continuing trend.

Japan's tourism will continue to suffer. If Japanese don't have faith in their own government in regards to Fukushima and the radiation levels here in Japan then you most certainly can't expect people from other countries to visit.

The world is aware of the situation. Nicky Washida recently wrote a fine piece of journalism that sums up life in post 3/11 Japan quite accurately.

http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-753188

After reading this, you'd have to be a dayum good travel agent to sell a vacation package to Japan. These are dark times for Japan. Some things the country has to accept. It's a big mess and nobody wants a piece of it. The tourism industry is going to get some of it whether they like it or not.

Tell it to the airlines that overcharge for getting there, and the tourist accommodations that believe usury is a Japanese custom.

While some are correct in saying the strong yen is a big factor with this issue, simply look at travel statistics before and after March 11th, 2011. It's quite clear that fear of additional quakes, and yes, the nuclear crisis, have played a big factor as well.

What's worse, as the government STILL fails to take concrete measures in terms of dealing with the nuclear issue, including assigning responsibility and prosecuting so as to set an example and clear the companies of corruption, I can't see consumer confidence on the increase all that much.

I hope the yen drops a bit and definitely hope people come and see all this nation has to offer, but I think first a little housecleaning and more effort needs to be made to assure the people about safety (and no, not given them foods from the affected areas and saying it's proof the food is okay!).

The yen is starting to weaken, and once it is back at normal levels I think you'll find numbers from Korea, Taiwan etc. will rebound as well as visitors from Europe and North America.

I'm sure the earthquake has a lot to do with tourism but I'm sure the yen rate has more to do with it. One dollar can't even take you to the 100-yen shop! Many of my relatives would love to come visit but simply can't because of the strong yen.

I'll be there later this year, strong yen or not. Partly for business, but mostly to see friends and enjoy Japan again. Sure, it'll cost me. If I were just looking at getting out of the U.S. for a vacation, then there are other, more affordable options. But none of them are Japan, so for me it's worth the extra cost.

Oh, and if I buy now, round trip will be about US$1,300. BNA-LAX-NRT. Not cheap, but I priced a round-trip to Toronto last year, and just that was going to be over $800.

I got a negative vote for saying I'll visit Japan this year?

Tourists are smarter than one thinks

when the bureaucrats in Tokyo announced 10000 free air tickets for foreigners that ended up being canceled without reason when the JPY remains at 75-80 yens per U.S. Dollar when politicians lined up to eat strawberries grown in Tohoku to show that the region is safe ( that became later -- the region would likely be 'unlivable' for ever as per comments from Japan ) when disaster aid from neighboring countries were received by Japanese officials with 'cold shoulder' when territorial disputes intensified ( partly due to Japan Govt's tougher stand ) when tourists themselves are under the impacts of economic crisis. Better off going to cheaper alternatives with radioactivity free sunny beaches

It sounds rather challenging to find more reasons not to go elsewhere ?