In the media, the term 'overtourism' is often confused with a lack of etiquette and overcrowding. It's questionable whether foreign tourists alone are the cause. There are people with poor manners among both foreigners and Japanese people.

So true Prof. Ishiguro, but it is so much easier to just blame foreigners for everything. It is like one stop shopping.

Even if over tourism is true, who really invite those tourist to Japan? JGovt

Currently Japan visited by 37 million tourist per year, actual target is 60 million

https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Travel-Leisure/Foreign-tourists-to-Japan-hit-record-37m-in-2024-up-47-on-weak-yen

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2024/12/23/travel/japan-tourism-2024-challenges/

https://www.reddit.com/r/japan/comments/1hkgu0z/is_japan_ready_for_60_million_tourists_halfway_to/

He's probably the only native I've ever heard with that opinion. Can't convince most Japanese people that he's correct though. Just seeing all the cigarette butts and garbage around Yokohama station, people rushing on the train while I'm trying to get off, bumping into me in the streets while staring at their stupidphones, etc, tells me he definitely knows what he's saying.

Every country has their own rules of etiquette. Countries that have very strict rules come up as overly serious or overly polite. People from countries with less strict etiquette rules are seen as rude by those with more strict rules. Japan has probably the strictest etiquette rules from any country in the world, that's why to Japanese people every foreigner is seen as rude or I'll mannered. But those same foreigners in countries with less strict etiquette rules will not be seen as rude.

@H

that's why to Japanese people every foreigner is seen as rude or I'll mannered. But those same foreigners in countries with less strict etiquette rules will not be seen as rude.

Every foreigner is seen as rude? Think before you type, and try to avoid stereotyping and generalisations. Just some friendly advice.

I once castigated a Japanese couple in Guam who were letting their children run around and picking their noses and wiping them on the windows. Ive also had a go with Japanese tourists here in Kyoto, but I'm a foreigner and "don't understand Japan". I understand good manners and it's not just foreigners that break them.

There are people with poor manners among both foreigners and Japanese people.

Exactly!

So true Prof. Ishiguro, but it is so much easier to just blame foreigners for everything. It is like one stop shopping.

Hit the nail on the head Mark. I remember when they were blaming foreigners for the increase in rice prices. I guess someone told them how STUPID they sounded so you don't hear that from them anymore.

Even if over tourism is true, who really invite those tourist to Japan? JGovt

BINGO!!!

Currently Japan visited by 37 million tourist per year, actual target is 60 million

Just barely over the halfway target so how can they claim overtourism when they haven't even hit their target??

Every foreigner is seen as rude? Think before you type, and try to avoid stereotyping and generalisations. Just some friendly advice.

Agree with you. Had to be one of the dumbest comments I've read in a long time.

No doubt there are plenty of idiotic things foreigners have done. But as happens everywhere else in the world, foreigners get singled out unnecessarily at times (and it is NOT a Japanese only phenomenon where foreigners get the brunt of criticism). And it's gotten to the point local Japanese "vigilantes" go around harassing random tourists and filming it, like in Nara park.