Japan is inching toward the milestone of 20 million visitors this year, five years ahead of schedule.
More than 16 million foreign tourists have visited this year with high hopes the 20 million target will be surpassed before the year-end.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe had previously set a target of 20 million by 2020, the year Tokyo hosts the Olympic Games.
"The 20 million mark is only a stop along the way," Prime Minister Abe said last week, calling it a ‘crucial engine’ for growth.
The country has reaped the reward of a surging number of Chinese visitors.
The Japan Tourism Agency said between July and September, spending by Chinese tourists was up a mammoth 82% compared to the previous year.
Japan attributes the rise to the relaxing of visa rules and the relative weakness of the Japanese Yen.
The country also gained more visitors after South Korea was in virtual lockdown during the damaging MERS virus outbreak earlier this year.
