Foreign visitors to Japan decline by 20.6% in 2009
The number of foreign visitors arriving in Japan in 2009 came to 6,119,394, a decline of 1,592,434 or 20.6 percent, according to Justice Ministry statistics.
According to the ministry's analysis, the decline in the number of foreign tourists was due to the global recession and worries over an epidemic of a new strain of influenza.
Tsukiji lets in 140 tourists a day
The early bird gets the worm, or in the case of Tokyo's Tsukiji fish market, can watch the auction.
Tourists on Monday were allowed back into the market to watch the popular tuna auctions under new rules, including a requirement that they don yellow or green vests.
The number of visitors is now limited to two groups of 70 people each per day.
On Monday, all slots were filled in about 45 minutes after registration started at 4:30 a.m.
The auctions at the bustling market had been closed to tourists since April 8 over concerns about disruption of trading business and visitor safety.
Market officials set up a special observation area for sightseers in April 2008. For the past two years, visitors have been shut out during the busy year-end and New Year holiday season.
Q1. Have you ever talked with foreign tourists to Japan? What did you talk about? If not, what would you like to talk about with them?