Cruise boom buoys Japan's post-pandemic tourism
When the Diamond Princess was quarantined off Yokohama in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Japan's cruise industry ground to a halt, its future clouded by fear and uncertainty.
Today, that industry is roaring back. Demand for maritime journeys with swimming pools among a host of luxury amenities and entertainment has surged due to pent-up wanderlust and a wave of new investments.
Japanese ports are seeing record domestic passenger numbers, signaling not just a revival in leisure travel, but a broader boost to local economies that rely on tourism.
Japan, an archipelago of over 14,000 islands and one of the largest economies in the world, has a relatively small cruise industry and modest vessels compared to the U.S., home of giants like Carnival Cruise Line.
According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, however, the Japanese cruise market grew significantly in 2024, increasing by 14.2 percent year-on-year to 224,100 passengers.
The number of international visitors entering Japan by cruise ship quadrupled to 1.4 million, nearly 60 percent of the record set in 2017.
Kentaro Matsuura, president of cruise travel agency Yutaka Club (Tokyo), estimates domestic passengers will exceed 250,000 in 2025 and may approach the 2019 record high of 356,600 next year.
With their core cargo business hit hard by U.S. President Donald Trump's import tariffs, Japanese shipping giants are developing cruise ships into thriving businesses that can produce stable income streams.
Due to tariffs, shipping companies NYK Line and Mitsui O.S.K Lines Ltd (MOL) forecast 47.7 percent and 60.0 percent year-on-year declines in net profits, respectively, in their consolidated financial accounts for fiscal 2025.
NYK Cruises will launch the Asuka III on July 20, expanding its fleet to two ships, while Mitsui Ocean Cruises will add a third ship in the latter half of next year.
On the evening of May 5, the Mitsui Ocean Fuji, which MOL began operating in December 2024, passed under Yokohama Bay Bridge. Nearby, in the Port of Yokohama, Mitsui's Nippon Maru was awaiting departure. Also docked was the Cunard luxury liner Queen Elizabeth.
"I look forward to seeing the Asuka III," said a man viewing the ships.
At 52,265 gross tons and 230 meters long, the Yokohama-based Asuka III will be the largest passenger ship in the Japanese fleet. It will be decorated with frescoes by Japanese painter Hiroshi Senju, giving it the feel of a floating art gallery, and all 381 cabins will have private seaside balconies.
Her maiden voyage from July 20 to 26 will be from Yokohama to Hakodate and Otaru in Hokkaido. The costs per passenger will be between 984,000 yen and around 4.80 million yen.
In February, NYK Line and its subsidiary Yusen Cruises reached a basic agreement on a business alliance in which Oriental Land, which operates Tokyo Disney Resort, will take over the operation and management of cruise ships scheduled to enter service in fiscal 2028.
The main departure and arrival port will be Tokyo Bay, and shows featuring Mickey Mouse and other Disney characters will be held on board. A second vessel is also being considered for service.
To keep up with its rival, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines in March announced that it had also bought an additional sister ship (32,477 gross tons) from the U.S.-based Seabourn Cruise Line, the seller of the Mitsui Ocean Fuji hull, to begin operations in the latter half of next year.
"Mitsui Ocean Fuji has received a very positive response from customers due to the fact that they can enjoy the expansive ocean views from their cabin verandas," said MOL President Tsunemichi Mukai, adding that the addition of a sister ship will only strengthen the company's ability to attract customers.
The company plans to build two passenger ships at a European shipyard and launch them in the near future.
© KYODO
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
an hour ago
A Month with More than 2,000 Earthquakes in Japan's Southern Tokara Islands
Japan Data Japan's Tokara Islands have experienced more than 2,000 earthquakes in a month from June 21, including a major tremor of level 6 lower seismic intensity on July 3. Continued Seismic Activity More than 2,000 earthquakes have rocked the Tokara Islands in Kagoshima Prefecture since June 21, in a continued period of seismic activity. From June 21 through the afternoon of July 18, there were 2,171 earthquakes with a seismic intensity of 1 or more. July 3 saw the largest tremors, including one of level 6 lower on the seismic intensity scale recorded among a series of quakes from 4:13 in the afternoon on the island of Akusekijima. The Tokara Islands lie between Yakushima and Amami Ōshima in the waters south of mainland Kagoshima Prefecture. The seven inhabited and five uninhabited islands are administratively part of the village of Toshima. Kyūshū and the Tokara Islands are located where the Philippine Sea Plate is subducted under the Eurasian Plate, leading to considerable seismic activity in the area. In December 2021, there were 308 earthquakes of seismic intensity 1 or more (maximum 5 upper), and in September 2023, there were 346 (maximum 4). However, there have been far more earthquakes this time. Three groups of residents have evacuated from Akusekijima to the city of Kagoshima and elsewhere, but the stress of living as an evacuee and concern over family members remaining on the island have led some to return. While the number of earthquakes has slightly declined since July 14, the JMA warns residents to stay alert for tremors with a seismic intensity up to level 6 lower. Data Sources (Translated from Japanese. Banner photo: Akusekijima in the Tokara Islands. © Pixta.)
The Mainichi
an hour ago
- The Mainichi
Tokyo stocks flat on post-election political uncertainty, US tariff
TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Tokyo stocks ended flat Tuesday, with the Japanese ruling coalition's major setback in a national election weighing on the outlook for the stability of Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's government and tariff talks with the United States. The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average fell 44.19 points, or 0.11 percent, from Friday to 39,774.92. The broader Topix index finished 1.71 points, or 0.06 percent, higher at 2,836.19. Japanese financial markets were closed Monday for a national holiday. On the top-tier Prime Market, decliners were led by pharmaceuticals, precision instrument, and warehousing and harbor transportation service issues, while iron and steel, nonferrous and machinery sectors gained. The U.S. dollar rose to the upper 147 yen level in Tokyo on selling of the yen due to political uncertainties in Japan after the ruling coalition failed to retain its majority in Sunday's House of Councillors election, dealers said. Stocks were initially higher as investors were relieved after the election outcome was largely within expectations and Ishiba said Monday he will remain in office, averting a political upheaval at least for the time being, market analysts said. But stocks later erased gains, as investors turned cautious with the election result leaving the ruling bloc without control of both chambers of parliament and concerns growing over prospects for the Japan-U.S. tariff negotiations. "The election result itself drew buying as the ruling coalition won more seats than expected. But questions remain over the outlook for tariffs negotiations with the United States," said Seiichi Suzuki, chief equity market analyst at the Tokai Tokyo Research Institute. Japan's chief negotiator Ryosei Akazawa is in Washington for the eighth round of ministerial-level talks as the deadline for imposition of U.S. President Donald Trump's so-called reciprocal tariffs looms on Aug. 1. If there is no deal by that date, Japan is set to face a country-specific tariff of 25 percent on its goods, which would be a further drag on its economy. "With the deadline nearing and difficulties of reaching an agreement becoming apparent, investors are not in the mood to proactively buy stocks," Suzuki said.
an hour ago
U.S. Seeking Best Deal for Americans in Talks with Japan: Bessent
News from Japan Economy Jul 22, 2025 09:37 (JST) Washington, July 21 (Jiji Press)--U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on television Monday that the United States will seek the best deal for itself in tariff negotiations with Japan. "Our priorities are not the internal workings of the Japanese government," Bessent told U.S. broadcaster CNBC. "Our priorities are giving the best deal for the American people." The treasury secretary's remark came after Japan held an election for the House of Councillors, the upper chamber of the country's parliament, on Sunday. He had previously said that the poll was a constraint on reaching an agreement. Bessent's remark appeared to keep Tokyo in check as it sought a review of U.S. automobile tariffs. The U.S. government has sent out notices to trading partners about tariff rates it plans to implement from Aug. 1, in a bid to draw out concessions in negotiations. "A higher tariff level would put more pressure to come with better agreements," the treasury secretary said. [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.] Jiji Press
