Australian arrivals to Japan for the first two months of 2009 are down 12 percent on 2008 figures, according to a preliminary report released by the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO).

The total Australian arrivals for the January/February 2009 period was 44,000 compared with 49,974 for the same period last year.

Despite the fall in arrivals, Australia has retained its position as the sixth major Japan inbound market ahead of the UK, Canada, Thailand, and France and behind South Korea, China, Taiwan, USA and Hong Kong.

Moreover, this year’s figure was the second highest ever recorded for a January/February period.

The JNTO report said a number of factors, including the depreciation of the Australian dollar against the yen and high fuel surcharges, have contributed to the downturn in Australian arrivals.

JNTO Sydney executive director, Yukio Yamashita, said like many other markets, Japan too has been adversely affected by the world economic crisis.

“The unstable economic situation and the sharp change in the exchange rate have affected Australian visitor numbers to Japan in the past months, however I believe Australians still have an interest in Japan and will start travelling again in the not too distant future,” Yamashita said.

“With the Australian dollar gradually gaining strength against the yen and fuel surcharges set to decrease to a negligible level from April, I think visitor numbers will pick up.”

“We are still receiving many enquiries and information requests from agents and the general public and have a lot of people come in to our Sydney office each day to collect travel information.”

“A number of travel agents have recently released their new brochures for the coming year. Many agents have developed a number of new Japan products so there is now more choice than ever for Australian travellers.”

“JNTO Sydney will continue its efforts to further increase visitors to Japan with upcoming promotional activities including Japan stands at the Snow Travel Expos in Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney next month.”

“I look forward to seeing our increased efforts translate to an increase in Australian arrivals to Japan this year.”

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The figures released by JNTO are based on arrivals of Australian passport holders and include business, leisure, and stopover visitors.