The government has been taking steps to lure more foreign tourists to Japan and get them to spend more, such as expanding the scope of tax-free shopping for visitors from overseas beginning this month.

Local authorities and businesses around the country should also seize the opportunity to bring more tourists to areas outside the typical destinations of foreign visitors and let their spending be a driving force for the nation's rural economies.

The yen's renewed fall against the dollar in recent weeks will be a mixed blessing for the Japanese economy, with the export-led firms likely to benefit more, but the rising costs of imports and fuel prices are expected to hit many businesses and households.