Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced last week that it issued 7,196,373 visas to foreign visitors in 2024, up by 73% YoY, bringing the total back to about 90% of the historic peak set in 2019. Chinese nationals accounted for the largest share, with over 5.24 million visas issued — more than double the previous year’s figure and making up 70% of the total. This surge was the main driver behind the overall recovery in visa issuance. The Philippines ranked second with 570,000 visas, followed by Vietnam with 320,000.