New study shows Japanese locals keenly feel impact of overtourism

Japanese research organisation Jalan Research Center recently conducted a study on the impact of overtourism in the country.

One of the key findings from their latest report shows that the number of international travelers to Japan has increased at a far more rapid pace than in 2019. 

According to the results, 59.7 percent of those in residential areas and 63.4 percent of those in business districts feel that they are being crowded in by tourists.

Many locals continue to complain at how the presence of so many foreigners has changed their way of life or has disturbed the relative peace of their communities.

Indeed, up to 57.5 percent of those surveyed complained of the ill behaviour of foreign tourists, while 42.6 percent pointed out issues regarding public transportation and entry in restaurants being hampered due to a crush of foreign nationals. 

Who’s feeling the crunch?

Regions that have felt the drastic change in their way of life include Kansai (72.9 percent), Kyushu, and Okinawa (66.3 percent).

Meanwhile, those in the Kanto region (60 percent) griped about how overtourism has driven up the cost of food and other basic commodities. 

Those surveyed suggested that the key countermeasures against overtourism would be to educate foreigners on how to behave in Japan, particularly through pre-trip modules in their respective languages.

At the same time, up to 44.9 percent of Japanese nationals said that solving issues regarding increased traffic due to overtourism will not be easy to resolve. 

An additional 44.5 percent remarked that there is a need to boost the country’s public transportation systems.