Growth of Chinese tourists spending in Japan slows

HANGZHOU -- A couple living in east China's Hangzhou city just came back from their second visit to Japan, with much lighter baggages this time.

"My wife bought some cosmetics -- that's all," said Mao Bin, who recalled the huge amount of products from a rice cooker to pharmaceuticals they bought during their first visit.

"It has become so easy to buy things online. People go abroad more for fun than shopping," Mao said.

According to the Japan Tourism Agency, spending of Chinese tourists increased by 2.2 times in the fourth quarter of last year, slower than the chain growth of 3.2 times in the second quarter.

Experts said the emergence of cross-border shopping platforms, which guarantee both authenticity and reasonable prices, have prompted Chinese tourists to spend less money and time on shopping.

Laox, a major retailer in Japan, said the number of Chinese customers increases much slower in the second half of 2015 compared with the first half.

Laox has thus opened a flagship store on Suning.com, a popular online shopping platform in China.

The depreciation of RMB is another factor that dampens the shopping enthusiasm of Chinese tourists, according to a travel agency in the city.