The number of overseas visitors to Japan posted a record fall last year, due mainly to the March 11th disasters and the nuclear crisis in Fukushima Prefecture.
The Japan Tourism Agency said on Friday that an estimated 6.2 million foreign tourists came to Japan in 2011. That's down 28 percent on the year -- the biggest slide since records began in 1964.
The Agency said the yen's appreciation to record levels against the dollar and other major currencies was another reason for the drop.
The number of tourists from South Korea was down by 32 percent; from China by 26 percent; and from Taiwan by 22 percent. But the Agency said the number of Chinese tourists started to pick up again from November.
Agency commissioner Hiroshi Mizohata said the number of foreign tourists is steadily increasing after it nosedived in the immediate aftermath of the disaster.
He also said, as levels have not yet fully recovered, the Agency will step up promotional activities to hit its target of attracting a record 9 million tourists from abroad this year.
Friday, January 20, 2012 18:30 +0900 (JST)
Add another thing: super high fuel surcharge. I'd like to help out by visiting, but ticket prices are outrageous.
So I followed up on this advertised fare...as noted above fuel surcharge is included but NOT tax (as mentioned in the ad).
I talked to a gentleman over the phone who works out of the West Los Angeles office on Sawtelle Blvd and he said he can't specify the exact price of the ticket or the airline until the date of the actual sale which is this Saturday. He anticipates the ticket price to be around $700 out the door which is great but nothing is certain until the day of the sale. Given that this is still a good price, I might jump on it but I'm hoping it's not only available on some American carrier.
Their service usually sucks, both on the ground (i.e. ticket counter) and in the plane!
If the ticket is much more than $700 if I still decide to go I might just bite the bullet and pay more to pick the airline of my choice, mostly likely Singapore Air.
Joined: 29 Aug 2009 Posts: 450 Location: United States Country:
Posted: Wed Jan 25, 2012 10:06 am Post subject:
Tu_triky wrote:
So I followed up on this advertised fare...as noted above fuel surcharge is included but NOT tax (as mentioned in the ad).
I talked to a gentleman over the phone who works out of the West Los Angeles office on Sawtelle Blvd and he said he can't specify the exact price of the ticket or the airline until the date of the actual sale which is this Saturday. He anticipates the ticket price to be around $700 out the door which is great but nothing is certain until the day of the sale. Given that this is still a good price, I might jump on it but I'm hoping it's not only available on some American carrier.
Their service usually sucks, both on the ground (i.e. ticket counter) and in the plane!
If the ticket is much more than $700 if I still decide to go I might just bite the bullet and pay more to pick the airline of my choice, mostly likely Singapore Air.
I flew ANA in 2009 and Singapore last year and their service was similar. I wish I could afford to fly executive or First class 'cuz sitting so confined in economy is tough. What's wrong with American carriers?
Joined: 15 Jun 2004 Posts: 46182 Location: Los Skandolous, California Country:
Posted: Wed Jan 25, 2012 10:39 am Post subject:
Sengo wrote:
I flew ANA in 2009 and Singapore last year and their service was similar. I wish I could afford to fly executive or First class 'cuz sitting so confined in economy is tough. What's wrong with American carriers?
With respect to American carriers, I just find the customer service to be lacking. Sorely. They tend to fly older planes and are all about cutting costs to the bone. Pretty soon the lavatories will be coin-operated. Moreover, I don't think their customer service at the ticket counter or on the plane to be notably good. Moreover they are more likely to lose luggage in my opinion.
If it's all about saving 50 or 100 bucks I will gladly pay more to fly a non-American carrier. Every time. If the price disparity is greater, in the 200 or 300 dollar, range I might consider taking the lower cost American carrier.
Every year they come up with a top ten airlines ranking. There is never, ever an American carrier ANYWHERE in the top ten. Pathetic.
Singapore Air was ranked number one last year by Travel + Leisure magazine and is invariably always in the top 5.
Last edited by Tu_triky on Wed Jan 25, 2012 12:49 pm; edited 1 time in total
Joined: 29 Aug 2009 Posts: 450 Location: United States Country:
Posted: Wed Jan 25, 2012 2:11 pm Post subject:
Tu_triky wrote:
That's small potatoes....Singapore Air first class service can include a bed with flat screen TV.
Oh!! That looks like heaven!! Economy is almost like sitting in a straight jacket. The trip going took 11.5 hours but coming home was about 9 hrs which was a little more tolerable.
Joined: 15 Jun 2004 Posts: 46182 Location: Los Skandolous, California Country:
Posted: Wed Jan 25, 2012 9:07 pm Post subject:
Sengo wrote:
Oh!! That looks like heaven!! Economy is almost like sitting in a straight jacket. The trip going took 11.5 hours but coming home was about 9 hrs which was a little more tolerable.
Having flown to Europe and Japan on several occasions, I can commiserate with you on the Economy Class experience.
I shall propose that flight attendants be equipped with tranquilizer dart guns that can be conveniently turned on passengers so as to induce sleep to help pass the time on long haul flights.
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That's most assuredly true. 
