Japan's 2020 tourism goal will probably be met earlier, as the country welcomed 16.3 million foreign tourists in the first 10 months of this year

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe released an elaborated economic plan for his country, in which tourism is considered to be a key element for economic development. The set target for this sector is 20 million visitors by 2020, when Tokyo will be host for the Olympic Games. Japan is only 3.7 million more tourists short to meet this goal.

The Japanese government thinks that the weakening of the yen and the more relaxed visa application procedures are among the main reasons for travel industry growth and even considers to raise the goal.

“The 20 million mark is only a stop along the way,” Minister Abe declared, as he described tourism as a “crucial engine” for the growth of country's economy.

Japan is currently five years ahead of its ambitious tourism sector goals, due to Chinese tourists visits. According to the Japan National Tourism Organization data, the country attracted 16.3 million foreign tourists already this year, beating 2014 record of 13.4 million. Additionally, Chinese visitors in Japan doubled their numbers.

Chinese middle class expanding visitors put Japan next to countries such as Australia, Thailand and Sri Lanka as favorite destinations that attract record numbers of tourists.

Chinese tourists also accounted a record spending influx: they are responsible for nearly half of the ¥1 trillion ($8.1 billion) total foreign visitors influx from this year's July until September, an 82% increased when compared with the same period last year, the Japan Tourism Agency reports.

The stock-market collapse in China this summer yet raised concerns about tourists' spending rates and impact on their travel habits. Nevertheless, on a long term, the number of Chinese tourists traveling overseas will continue to increase, according to a recent consultancy report from Fung Business Intelligence Center and China Luxury Advisors, as the number of Chinese tourists will double by 2020 to 234 million that are expected to spend $229 billion this year, up to 23% more than last year.