About 5.2 million foreign travelers arrived at Japanese ports and airports in the first five months of the year, setting the nation on track to surpass last year's record of 10.36 million arrivals, the government estimates.
It was an increase of more than 28 percent, or 1.15 million visitors, compared with the same period last year, the Japan National Tourism Organization said Wednesday.
Taiwanese travelers were up by more than a third, and the number from China almost doubled.
The increase is attributed to expanded flight capacity, relaxed visa requirements for tourists from some Southeast Asian nations, and greater collaboration with overseas tour operators, JNTO said.
The organization is expecting record levels to continue in June, led by visitors from China, Taiwan and Southeast Asia.