The surge of foreign visitors to Japan in the first half of this year, which hit a record 13.76 million, is attributable mainly to a rise in South Korean tourists, particularly those arriving on low-cost carriers.

"More young (South Korean) people are enjoying brief personal trips (to Japan) casually using LCCs," said Shin Seo-kyung, deputy director of the Korea Tourism Organization's Tokyo office.

Weekly South Korean LCC flights in and out of Japan this summer numbered 483, more than quadruple the figure four years ago, according to the Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Ministry.