For Koreans, Japan is a representative short-distance overseas destination with short flight times, many flights, and a weak yen that makes costs low. Not only Tokyo and Osaka but also Fukuoka, Sapporo, Okinawa, and other small regional cities offer a wide variety of destinations, leading to strong demand for repeat visits. It has become common to travel abroad on Friday evenings or short holidays for 2-night, 3-day, or 3-night-4 days, and with rising domestic accommodation and transportation costs, the perception that "with this money, I can go to Japan" has spread. On the other hand, although Korea is a nearby travel destination for Japanese people, the exchange rate is not as cheap as it used to be, and due to the weak yen, the cost of hotels, dining, and shopping in Korea has become more expensive by Japanese people. Based on Japanese standards, the cost has increased. And with demand focused on food, shopping, beauty, and K-pop tourism centered around Seoul, the motivation to visit multiple times by changing seasons and regions like Japanese tourism is relatively limited. The demand for overseas travel among Japanese people is also shrinking, mainly due to Japan's long working hours and vacation culture, and many office workers feel burdened by the perception that it puts work burden on colleagues, making it difficult to take extended consecutive vacations. And although it may sound absurd, according to Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs passport statistics, the passport ownership rate of Japanese people in 2025 is only 18.5%. Compared to about 60% in Korea and the UK, and about 50% in the US, the holding rate is significantly low,,, but it makes sense that in a major economic powerhouse??? it is less than 20%???
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