Section 2 / Characteristics of Recovering Inbound Tourism Demand

249

Section 2
Characteristics of Recovering Inbound Tourism
Demand(1) Number of foreign visitors
In response to the global spread of COVID-19, the Japanese government implemented strict border control measures after February 1, 20201). As a result, thepreviously strong inbound tourism demand disappeared, striking a very serious
blow to the tourism industry.2) The number of inbound foreign visitors to Japan
from the “Statistics on Foreign Visitors to Japan” of the Japan National Tourism
Organization (JNTO) (Figure 4-2-1) shows that the number of inbound foreign
visitors reached only 1,663 in May 2020, a record low since the statistics began,
due to the strict border control measures. The number of cases recovered somewhat to 58,673 in December 2020, partly because the infection calmed down inthe second half of 2020, and people were allowed to enter Japan only for business and study purposes. In January 2021, however, a new strain of COVID-19
led to another strict border control measure, causing the number to decrease to
7,355 in February 2021. In July, the number of visitors temporarily increased to1) For a detailed description of the border control measures taken by the government, see
Asia Pacific Institute of Research (2021), pp. 242.
2) The impact of the loss of inbound tourism demand on the tourism industry is analyzed in
Chapter 5, Section 1 of Asia Pacific Institute of Research (2022).

Part Ⅱ

This subsection discusses the rapid recovery of inbound tourism demand.
Specifically, we will examine the recovery in the number of inbound foreign
visitors and the expense by these visitors since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Part Ⅲ

1. Rapidly recovery of inbound tourism demandPart Ⅳ

Section 2 reviews the dynamics of tourism in the Kansai region in 2022/23.
Subsection 2.1 focuses mainly on inbound tourism demand, analyzing
trends in the number of foreign visitors to Japan and the expense by foreign visitors. Subsection 2.2 focuses on domestic tourism demand in the Kansai region,
analyzing domestic travel consumption and the total number of Japanese overnight stays. Finally, Subsection 2.3 addresses future issues of the rapid recovery
in tourism industry.

Part ⅠNOMURA, Ryosuke; INADA, Yoshihisa

250

Chapter 4 / Inbound Demand Recovery and Tourism Strategy(thousands)
3,000

Oct.2023,
2,516.5

2,500
2,000

Dec.2022,
1,370.1

1,500

Oct.2022,
498.6
Mar.2022,
Feb.2021,
66.1
Jul.2021,
7.4
Apr.2022,
51.1
Dec.2020,
139.5
Feb.2022,
58.7
16.7

1,000

May.2020,
1.7

500
0

Jan

Apr

Jul
2020

Figure 4-2-1

Oct

Jan

Apr

Jul
2021

Oct

Jan

Apr

Jul
2022

Oct

Jan

Apr

Jul

Oct

2023

Trends in the number of foreign visitors to Japan: January
2020-October 2023

Source: Compiled from Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), “Statistics on Foreign Visitors to Japan

51,055 due to the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics but, again, remained at low
level after the games.
Inbound tourism demand showed a recovery trend in 2022 as the government gradually relaxed border control measures in preparation for the recovery
of international traffic. In March 2022, the number of visitors sharply increased
to 66,121 (compared to 16,719 in February), possibly because the entry limit was
raised from 5,000 to 7,000 people per day. In April, the limit was further raised to
10,000, and the number exceeded 100,000 for the first time since the pandemic
began, reaching 139,548. As border control measures were lifted in October,the number of visitors greatly increased to 498,646, and to over 1,370,114 inDecember, exceeding 1 million.
Since the beginning of 2023, the number of foreign visitors to Japan has
remained above the one-million mark, and reached 2,516,500 in October,exceeding the two-million mark and recovering to the pre-pandemic level. The
pace of recovery, however, varies by country and region and will be discussed
in the following subsections.
Figure 4-2-2 compares the number of inbound tourism visitors to Japanby country and region in October 2023 with the pre pandemic level of October
2019. The number of visitors from South Korea and the United States exceeded
the pre-pandemic level, while the number of Chinese visitors, who had previously accounted for 30% of all visitors to Japan (average for 2019), was only at
35% of the pre-pandemic level. The slowdown of Chinese economy and the deterioration of Japan-China relations might be the reasons for the slow recovery,

Section 2 / Characteristics of Recovering Inbound Tourism Demand

251

(%)
350.0
319.9
300.0
250.0
200.0
138.2

150.0

102.7
99.3

100.0
50.0

China

RussiaUnited Kingdom

FranceThailand

Malaysia

Nordic Countries

TaiwanPhilippines

Hong Kong

Italy

VietnamSpain

Germany

Indonesia

India

Australia

Singapore

USA

CanadaKorea

Comparison of recovery from before the COVID-19 pandemic bycountry/region: October 2023

Part Ⅰ

Figure 4-2-2

35.1
Mexico0.03) The figures for 2019, Q1 2020, and Q4 2022 are revised figures. Those for Q4 2021 throughQ3 2022 are estimated figures. Those for Q1 and Q2 of 2023 are second preliminary figures
and those for Q3 2023 are first preliminary figures.
4) As the survey was suspended from Q2 2020 to Q3 2021 due to the spread of COVID-19, dataon inbound travel spending during this period is missing.

Part Ⅲ(2) Trends in the expenditure by foreign visitors to JapanLet us look at trends in the amount spent by foreigners visiting Japan (all purposes) on a quarterly basis using the Japan Tourism Agency’s “Survey of Trends
in Consumption by Foreign Visitors to Japan” (Figure 4-2-3)3).
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, consumption by foreign visitors in 2019was generally above JPY 1 trillion (on a quarterly basis) and was approximately
JPY 4.8 trillion for the entire year of 2019. However, due to the pandemic, it
decreased to JPY 707.1 billion in Q1 2020, and has continued to decreased4).
As mentioned above, border control measures were gradually relaxed since2022 and, as a result, consumption by foreign visitors has steadily recovered
since the Q1 period. During the Q4 period, border control measures were fully
lifted and consumption amounted to JPY 594.9 billion, approximately 50% of thelevel for the same period in 2019.

Part Ⅳ

despite all border control measures have been lifted. Thus, while the overall
number of foreign visitors to Japan was steadily recovering, the pace of recovery
differed by country and region. As will be discussed later, however, the recoveryof consumption exceeded that of foreign visitors to Japan.

Part Ⅱ

Source: Compiled from Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), “Statistics on Foreign Visitors to Japan

252

Chapter 4 / Inbound Demand Recovery and Tourism Strategy(JPY 100 million)
16,00013,90414,00012,673 12,128
12,00011,517 11,818

12,31910,103

10,000
8,000

7,071

5,949

6,000
4,000

1,640
1,047
284 352

2,000

Figure 4-2-3

21
20 Q4
22
20 Q1
22
20 Q2
22
20 Q3
22
20 Q4
23
20 Q1
23
20 Q2
23
Q
3

20

20

19
20 Q1
19
20 Q2
19
20 Q3
19
20 Q4
20
Q
1

0

Trends in Foreign Visitors Expenditure in Japan: from Q12019 toQ32023

Source: Compiled from Japan Tourism Agency, “Survey of Foreign Visitor Consumption Trends in Japan

In the current Q3 of 2023, as inbound tourism demand rapidly recovered, the consumption value increased JPY 1,390.4 billion, up 17.7% from thesame period in 2019, surpassing the pre- pandemic level. A steady rise in the
per-consumption price might be why number exceeds the pre-pandemic level.
Regarding the per-unit expenditure and the average number of nights spent inJapan, according to the Japan Tourism Agency’s “Survey of Trends in Foreign
Visitor Expenditure in Japan,” travel expenditures per capita for all purposes(Table 4-2-1) were JPY 218,110 in the Q3 of 2023, up 29.4% from the same
period of 2019, exceeding the pre-COVID-19 pandemic level. By country andregion, France was the highest at JPY 357,775 (+40.2%), followed by Spain at JPY
349,718 (+57.8%), Italy at JPY 341,870 (+63.6%), the UK at JPY 328,422 (+84.9%),
and Australia at JPY 320,286 (+46.6%). The depreciation of the Japanese yen,increasing in the number of long-stay travelers, mainly from Europe, the U.S.,
and Australia, might have contributed to the rise in unit prices.
Next, looking at the average number of nights (Table 4-2-1), the overall average was 11.2 nights, an increase of 0.8 nights from the same period in2019 (10.4 nights). By country and region, China increased to 14.6 nights compared to the same period in 2019 (7.7 nights). This was followed by the United
Kingdom (14.6 nights) and Singapore (11.9 nights), both of which increased
from the same period in 2019 (UK: 12.7 nights, Singapore: 9.1 nights).
(3) Kansai economy and inbound tourism demand
Next, let us examine the rapid recovery process of inbound tourism demand in
the Kansai region using the number of foreign visitors to Kansai International

2019Q3(JPY/
person)Comparison with2019(%)

Total

210,810

162,860

29.4

Total

11.2

10.4

0.8

Korea

110,686

87,032

27.2

Korea

4.9

7.6

-2.7

Taiwan177,823

114,360

55.5

Taiwan

7.5

6.7

0.8

Hong Kong

233,887

153,54452.3

Hong Kong

7.6

6.7

0.9

China

284,934

203,576

40.0

China

14.6

7.7

6.9

Thailand180,543

149,850

20.5

Thailand

16.0

20.0

-4.0

Singapore

256,496

153,238

67.4

Singapore

11.9

9.1

2.8

Malaysia

215,478

133,041

62.0

Malaysia

10.2

16.8

-6.6

Indonesia

201,116

135,682

48.2

Indonesia

18.5

19.7

-1.2

Philippines

166,434

95,811

73.7

Philippines

24.6

25.6

-1.0

Vietnam

188,835

181,017

4.3

Vietnam

30.4

36.3

-5.9

India

215,085

148,328

45.0

India

22.7

21.7

1.0

UK

328,422

177,608

84.9

UK

17.7

12.7

5.0

Germany

274,691

189,867

44.7

Germany

14.6

12.4

2.2

France357,775

255,267

40.2

France

20.4

24.5

-4.1

Italy

341,870

208,944

63.6

Italy

11.8

12.7

-0.9

Spain

349,718

221,568

57.8

Spain

16.2

16.1

Russia―188,173―

Russia

―

24.6

US

291,537

198,736

46.7

US

12.8

14.1

-1.3

Canada261,416

170,99152.9

Canada

13.2

12.1

1.1

Australia

320,286

218,474

46.6

Australia

13.4

11.9

1.5

Others314,812224,345

40.3

Others

23.3

18.5

4.8

Country/
Region2023Q3(numberof nights)

2019Q3 Compar(number ison withof nights)
2019

0.1
―

Source: Compiled by Japan Tourism Agency from “Survey of Foreign Visitor Expenditure Trends in Japan

Part Ⅱ

2023Q3(JPY/
person)Country/
RegionPart Ⅲ

Comparison of pre-unit expenditure and average number of nights spentby inbound foreign visitors by country/region: Q3-2019 vs. Q3-2023

Table 4-2-1

Part Ⅳ

Airport (KIX).
Figure 4-2-4 shows the number of international arrivals to KIX, whichreached a record low of 181 in May 2020.
In 2021, however, the number of arrivals in February was 1,879 and has
remained at a low level since then, due to the tightening of border control
measures.
From the beginning of 2022, border control measures were relaxed, andthe number of arrivals started to increase. In March 2022, the number reached10,284, the highest since December 2020. It reached 116, 658 in October,exceeding 100,000, and raised to 331,249 in December 2022, about 50% of the
pre-pandemic level.
In 2023, the number of international arrivals continued to recover, reaching 655,571 (+0.6% over the same month in 2019) in October, approaching thePart Ⅰ

253

Section 2 / Characteristics of Recovering Inbound Tourism Demand

254

Chapter 4 / Inbound Demand Recovery and Tourism Strategy(thousands)
8002023 Oct,
655.6

700

2023 Apr,
471.9

600
500

2022 Dec,
331.2

400
300
200
100
0
2020

Figure 4-2-42022 Mar,
2022 Oct,
2020 Dec,
10.3
116.7
13.6
2021 Feb,
2020 May,
1.9
0.2
2021

2022

2023

Trends in the number of visitors to KIX: Jan. 2020-Oct. 2023

Source: Compiled from Ministry of Justice, “Immigration Statistics.

pre-COVID-19 pandemic level. Similar to the national trend above, the numberof international arrivals to the Kansai region is rapidly recovering, but the paceof recovery differs by country and region.
Table 4-2-2 compares the number of foreign arrivals at KIX in 2019 and2022 by major country and region. As the table shows, before the pandemic,
the number of arrivals from China was the highest, especially in Kansai, witha share of 39.4%. However, looking at 2022, China’s share has declined significantly to 3.6%, while Korea’s has greatly increased to 38.1%. In addition, theshares of Hongkong and Vietnam are also higher than the pre-pandemic level at
10.1% and 8.9%, respectively.
Figure 4-2-5 show the number of visitors to KIX of the top 5 countries andregions in Q3-2023 and compare them to Q3-2019 level. Korea was the highest
at 555,000 (+98.6% compares to Q3-2019), China was at 404,000 (-58.0%), Taiwan
was at 295,000 (+5.7%), Hongkong was at 160,000 (+15.9%), and US was at 49,000(-2.8%).
While inbound tourism demand is rapidly recovering in Japan and Kansai,
inbound visitors from China, which accounted for a large portion of the total
number before the pandemic, is still lagging behind. Therefore, a full recovery will require more time. In the next subsection, we will shift our analysis todomestic travel demand, which was hit as hard by the pandemic, and examine
its recovery process.

Section 2 / Characteristics of Recovering Inbound Tourism Demand

255

Comparison of the number of visitors to KIX by country/region:
2019 vs. 2022
The number of international arrivals at KIX
Share(%)

2022

Share(%)

Total

8,378,039

100.0

885,470

China

3,302,710

39.4

32,291

3.6

Korea

1,510,776

18.0

337,644

38.1

Taiwan1,098,555

13.1

85,002

9.6

604,787

7.2

89,693

10.1

Hong Kong

100.0

US

220,341

2.6

21,201

2.4

Thailand

310,615

3.7

34,026

3.8

Australia

94,752

1.1

10,875

1.2

Philippines

198,265

2.4

30,411

3.4

Malaysia

150,760

1.8

16,595

1.9

Vietnam

148,247

1.8

79,204

8.9

Singapore

114,459

1.4

34,161

3.9

UK

59,632

0.7

6,765

0.8

Indonesia

85,6431.0

21,164

2.4

Canada55,437

0.7

5,497

0.6

France61,340

0.7

9,219

1.0

Germany

35,255

0.4

3,648

0.4

India

21,599

0.3

4,020

0.5

Italy

24,571

0.3

2,723

0.3

Spain

28,072

0.3

2,130

0.2

Russia

9,496

0.1

1,027

0.1

Mexico

4,574

0.1

303

0.0

Hong Kong

USPart Ⅰ

2019

Part ⅡCountry/Region

Part Ⅲ

Table 4-2-2Part Ⅳ

Source: Compiled from Ministry of Justice, “Immigration Statistics.
(thousands)
1,200.0
1,000.0
800.0
600.0
400.0
200.0
0.0

China

Korea

Taiwan
2019Q3Figure 4-2-5

2023Q3Comparison of the number of visitors to KIX by country andregion: Q3 2019 vs. Q3 2023

Source: Compiled from Ministry of Justice, “Immigration Statistics.

256

Chapter 4 / Inbound Demand Recovery and Tourism Strategy

2. Recovery of domestic travel demand
In this subsection, we focus on domestic travel demand in the Kansai region5)and examine its recovery process from the COVID-19 pandemic.
(1) Trends in the Total Number of Japanese Overnight Stays
We use the “Overnight Travel Statistics Survey” conducted by the Japan Tourism
Agency to examine the recovery process of the total number of Japanese overnight stays in Kansai. As shown in Figure 4-2-6, the number of overnight stays
declined sharply by 82.5% in May 2020 compared to the same month in 2019. As
the “Go to Travel” program started in July, the decline was reduced to -8.1% in
November compared to November 2019. However, the decline increased again
in January 2021 to -51.1% due to another wave of COVID-19 infection and the suspension of the “Go to Travel” program. The pace of recovery was slow but steady,declining at -20.5% and -7.2% in October and November, respectively, comparing
to the same month in 2019. In December, the number of Japanese overnightstays steadily recovered and exceeded the pre-pandemic level by +5.2%.
Due to the government’s measures to prevent infection in 2022, however,the number of Japanese overnight visitors decreased by -14.1% in January, and-35.1% in February. Then, it started to recover from March to September, andturned positive in October with +10.8%. The increasing trend continued and
(%)
20.0

5.2

0.0

-7.2

-20.0

-45.5

-51.1

-8.4

-36.3

2023/01

2022/102022/072022/04

2022/01

2021/102021/072021/04

Kansai
2021/01

2020/102020/07

2020/04-82.5

2023/07-80.0

2020/01

4.5

-16.6

2023/04-60.0

Figure 4-2-6

13.1

-20.5

-40.0

-100.0

10.3
10.0

-8.1

Total Number of Japanese Overnight Stays in 2019 % Change
from the Same Month in 2019: Kansai: Jan 2020 - Aug 2023

Source: Compiled from the Japan Tourism Agency, “Overnight Travel Statistics Survey”

5) Greater Kansai here is based on Fukui, Mie, Shiga, Kyoto, Osaka, Hyogo, Nara, Wakayama,
Tottori and Tokushima prefectures.

Section 2 / Characteristics of Recovering Inbound Tourism Demand

257(JPY 100 million)
14,00012,00010,00010,654

10,614

Part Ⅱ
Part Ⅲ(2) Domestic Travel Consumption
Figure 4-2-7 shows the quarterly trend of domestic travel consumption in the
Kansai region. Domestic travel consumption declined sharply to JPY 202.8 billion in the Q2 of 2020 due to the declaration of a state of emergency6). In Q3 andQ4, the consumption recovered as the government launched the “Go to Travel”
program.
In 2021, however, domestic travel consumption for Q1 totaled JPY 315.6 billion since the infection situation got worse and the “Go to Travel” program got
suspended, and the pace of recovery slowed thereafter. In Q4, the consumptionrose sharply to JPY 751.4 billion as the pandemic slowed down, and local governments stimulated travel demand with their own policies7).
In 2022, , domestic travel expenditure in Q1 was JPY 475.9 billion due to theworsening infection situation and the government’s priority measures to prevent

Part Ⅰ

reached 11.2% in November and 12.7% in December.
The number of Japanese overnight stays had been on a recovery trend fromJanuary to March since the beginning of 2023, but has shown a downward trend
since April, and in August, it has been below the pre-COVID-19 pandemic levelfor five months in a row, at 8.4%.

8,000Part Ⅳ

6,000
4,000
2,000
0

Ⅰ Ⅱ Ⅲ Ⅳ Ⅰ Ⅱ Ⅲ Ⅳ Ⅰ Ⅱ Ⅲ Ⅳ Ⅰ Ⅱ Ⅲ Ⅳ Ⅰ Ⅱ Ⅲ
2019 年

Figure 4-2-7

2020 年

2021 年2022 年2023 年

Trends in domestic travel expenditure: Kansai: Q1 2019-Q3 2023

Note: The data from 2019 to 2022 are revised figures. 23 years are preliminary figures.
Source: Compiled from Japan Tourism Agency, “Travel and Tourism Consumption Trends Survey”

6) The period of emergency declarations and priority measures to prevent the pandemic
spread are as follows. Emergency declaration (1st: April 7 to May 25, 2020; 2nd: January 7
to March 21, 2021; 3rd: April 25 to June 20, 2021; 4th: July 12 to September 30, 2021). Priority measures to prevent the pandemic spread (April 5 to September 30, 2021; and January 9
to March 21, 2022).
7) See Chapter 5 Section 1 of Asia Pacific Institute of Research (2022) and COVID-19 Chronology for the Kansai prefectures’ own measures to stimulate travel demand.

258

Chapter 4 / Inbound Demand Recovery and Tourism Strategy

pandemic spread. In Q2, the consumption recovered, reaching JPY 1,263.6 billion and exceeding the pre-pandemic level, due in part to the “National Travel
Support Program” that was initiated on October 11, 2023.
In Q1 of 2023, although the consumption totaled to JPY 834.9 billion,
exceeding the pre-pandemic level for two consecutive quarters, it dropped in Q3
to somewhat lower than the pre-pandemic level at JPY 1,061.4 billion (-0.4% fromthe same period in 2019).
As described above, since the latter half of 2022, domestic travel expenditure and the number of Japanese overnight stays in the Kansai region have beensteadily recovering to pre-pandemic levels, partly because of the subsided pandemic and because of government measures to stimulate demand. In the future,
it is important to maintain a sustained growth of both inbound tourism demandand domestic travel demand. In the following subsection, we will identity somefuture issues in the tourism industry.

3. Future issues
As we have seen, both inbound tourism demand and domestic travel demand
are recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Looking at the recovery of inbound tourism demand, it is particularly interesting to note that both the unit consumption price and the average number ofnights spent have increased. This point has also been addressed in the Japan
Tourism Agency’s Tourism Nation Promotion Plan. In anticipation of the recovery in inbound tourism demand, the Japan Tourism Agency revised its new
Tourism Nation Promotion Plan in March 20238). Table 4-2-3 compares thetargets for inbound tourism in the previous plan with those in the revised plan.
Table 4-2-3

Contents of the Newly Revised Tourism Nation Promotion Plan

Foreign visitors

Expenditure byforeign visitors

Unit price forforeign visitor

Number of overnightstays per foreign
visitor in local areas―

3rd Revision

40 million people

JPY 8 trillion―

Target values

Until 2020

Until 2020――

4th Revision

2019 level exceeded

JPY 5 trillion

JPY 200,000

2 nights

Until 2025 at an early date

Until 2025

Until 2025

Target values

Source: Compiled from Japan Tourism Agency, “Tourism Nation Promotion Plan

8) The specific measures that the Japan Tourism Agency will take in 2023 are detailed in theJapan Tourism Agency (2023).

9) The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on female part-time workers in the Kansai region isanalyzed in detail in Chapter 3, Section 5 of Asia Pacific Institute of Research (2021). The
current state of labor supply constraints in the Kansai region is discussed in detail in Chapter 3, Section 3 of this report.

Part Ⅱ
Part ⅢThe fourth revision of the plan aims to increase the number of inbound visitors to Japan to exceed the 2019 level by 2025, and to achieve JPY 5 trillion in
consumption as soon as possible. A new target of JPY 200,000 by 2025 has also
been set for the per-unit expenditure. As mentioned above, per-unit expenditurewas approximately JPY 210,000 in Q3 2023 and, thus, the JPY 5 trillion target isachievable, but it is important to maintain and improve the per-unit expenditure.
The recovery of Chinese visitors to Japan is also important for the Kansai
economy, which was severely damaged by the pandemic. Before the pandemic,
Chinese visitors to Japan accounted for 39.4% of all arrivals at KIX, but by 2022,
they accounted for 3.6%. In addition, there is still a high degree of uncertainty
about the future due to deteriorating Japan-China relations and the slowdown of
the Chinese economy.
After the pandemic, issues regarding future tourism strategies became
clear. These are: (1) improving and sustaining the per-unit spending of foreign
visitor, (2) promotion of regional tourism, and (3) improving the profitability andlabor supply constraints in the tourism industry.
Regarding (1), as mentioned above, the per-unit expenditureof foreign visitors to Japan is steadily increasing, maintaining it will be important in the future.
Regarding (2), from the perspective of the “tourism regionalization” that
APIR has been emphasizing, it is necessary to eliminate the overtourism phenomenon concentrated in Osaka and Kyoto prefectures in the Kansai region,and to attract visitors to other prefectures. In this case, the tourism strategy ofeach municipality and the role of DMOs will become even more important.
Regarding (3), the recovery and productivity improvement of female
non-regular employees, who have been supporting the tourism industry, is achallenge. In Kansai particularly, the number of female non-regular employees
has been hit hard by the pandemic9) and has yet to recover to its pre- pandemic
level.
Although the face-to-face service industry is recovering from the pandemic,
the pace of recovery of female workers in the Kansai region varies by industry.
Figure 4-2-8 shows that the index of female workers in the face-to-face service
industry in the Kansai region in Q3 of 2023 (2019 average = 100) declined by 2.2
points in the “wholesale and retail industry”, 8.6 points in the “accommodationand food services industry”, and 3.0 points in the “lifestyle-related services andPart Ⅰ

259

Part Ⅳ

Section 2 / Characteristics of Recovering Inbound Tourism Demand

260

Chapter 4 / Inbound Demand Recovery and Tourism Strategy
110.0
105.0
97.8

100.0

97.0

95.0
90.0

91.4

85.0

2023Q32023Q22023Q12022Q42022Q32022Q22022Q12021Q42021Q32021Q22021Q1

2020Q4

2020Q3

2020Q275.0

2020Q180.0

Accomodations, eating and drinking services
Wholesale and Retail trade
Living-related and personal services and amusement services

Figure 4-2-8

Trends in the index of female workers in face-to-face service
industries: Kansai: from Q1-2020to Q3-2023

Note: Index for each industry with 2019 average number of workers as 100
Source: Compiled from Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, 2Labour Force Survey”

entertainment”, all are below the pre-pandemic level, indicating a slow recovery.
Thus, the future issue for the Kansai region is how to resolve the labor supply
constraint.
References
Asia Pacific Institute of Research (2021), Kansai and the Asia Pacific Economic
Outlook 2021.
Asia Pacific Institute of Research (2022), Kansai and the Asia Pacific Economic
Outlook 2022.
Japan Tourism Agency (2023), White Paper on Tourism in Japan, 2023.