The whole world wants to go to Japan and Indians are no exception. The numbers prove it!

From January to May this year, about 142,400 Indians visited Japan. In May alone, 43,000 Indian travelers visited the country. According to Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), this is the first-time ever that Indian tourists in a single month have crossed the 40,000 mark.

This has come after Japan recorded the highest number of Indian tourists in 2024 – 233,100. “The momentum has only accelerated in 2025,” JNTO said in a statement. The January to May arrivals of this year represented a growth of nearly 40% as compared to the same period last year.

JNTO noted that May is considered a win-win travel season for Indians visiting Japan. It coincides with Indian summer vacations and the conclusion of Japan’s domestic holiday season. This allows Indian travelers access to more accommodations and other tourist services.

This is in line with the growing popularity of shoulder season among Indian travelers. A report by travel search platform Skyscanner earlier this month revealed that to avoid crowds and high prices, 1 in 2 Indians are open to traveling during off-peak times.

What’s Driving This Boom to Japan? Indian arrivals into Japan are also boosted by the increased air connectivity between the two countries. The winter 2024-2025 schedule featured 26 weekly direct flights connecting Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru to Japan.

Earlier this year, Ryo Bunno, executive director at JNTO, Delhi office, told Skift, “Improved connectivity through increased flight frequencies and promotional fares has significantly improved the travel experience for Indian tourists, making Japan more accessible and affordable.”

Japan is also ramping up its India strategy. According to Bunno, Japan has been actively engaging with the travel industry in India and it has been one of the biggest growth drivers.

Indian Aviation Regulator Audit Flags Safety Gaps

Indian aviation watchdog Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) conducted special audits at major airports in the country and on Tuesday, released its findings. DGCA found several safety lapses, many of which reflect recurring issues, prompting questions around the enforcement of basic standards in India’s aviation ecosystem, Skift Asia Editor Peden Doma Bhutia reported.

The audits were conducted less than two weeks after the Air India AI171 flight to London Gatwick crashed moments after takeoff in Ahmedabad on June 12. DGCA covered critical areas like aircraft maintenance, airport operations, air traffic services, and training simulators in the audits. While not naming specific airlines or airports, the findings released on Tuesday point to a broader failure to catch and fix known problems.

The aviation watchdog said its inspection teams visited major airports, including Delhi and Mumbai, and found repeated technical faults on aircraft that airlines had previously claimed to have already fixed. They noted “multiple cases wherein the reported defects reappeared many times on the aircraft,” which suggested that airlines either didn’t repair the issues properly or skipped them altogether.

Pakistan Extends Airspace Ban for Indian Airlines

Pakistan has extended its airspace ban for Indian aircraft and airlines by another month. This ban will now remain in force till the early hours of July 24. The extension has been notified by Pakistan’s aviation authorities through a fresh Notice to Airmen (NOTAM).

The country had first restricted its airspace for all Indian airlines in the last week of April after the deterioration of diplomatic relations between the two countries following a terrorist attack in the Jammu and Kashmir region killed 26 people, most of them tourists.

Pakistan then extended the closure for another month on May 23 after an armed conflict broke out between India and Pakistan in the beginning of May.

The airspace closure has forced Indian airlines to reroute dozens of international flights bound for Europe, North America, and the Middle East, leading to longer travel times, higher fuel costs, and significant operational disruptions. The plight of Indian carriers has been further exacerbated by the tensions in the Middle East region.

Easier Visa Norms Drive Indians to Southeast Asia

With the easing of visa restrictions for Indian travelers in Southeast Asia, travel interest has surged, noted online travel platform Agoda.

The platform said, “Comparing accommodation searches made on Agoda between July to December 2024 for check-ins between January to May 2025, against the same timeframe a year earlier, Malaysia, Palau, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka — countries with eased visa requirements — have seen a clear rise in interest.”

Agoda noted a 47% year-on-year increase in accommodation searches for Malaysia, with destinations such as Langkawi, Kuala Lumpur, and Highlands emerging as favorites. Palau reported a 49% increase in interest.

Meanwhile, the Philippines, which granted visa-free access to Indian travelers just last month, recorded a 26% increase in accommodation searches.

Vande Bharat Sleeper Trains Not Yet Cleared for Operations

The Vande Bharat sleeper trains have not yet received clearance for operation, even as the prototype for this train was dispatched for trials and testing more than six months ago.

The 16-coach prototype for the train has been built at a cost of INR 1.2 billion ($13.9 million). According to media reports, the Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO) completed the speed trials for the train at 160 km/hour.

There have reportedly been objections regarding the design of the train and some of the safety features incorporated into its system.

Pickyourtrail Partners With Miral Destinations in Yas Island

Travel platform Pickyoutrail has collaborated with Miral Destinations, the trade and promotion arm for Yas Island and Saadiyat Island Abu Dhabi. The partnership aims to increase Indian travelers to Yas Island “by engaging high-intent travelers through dynamic digital engagement,” the company said in a statement.

Yas Island has been witnessing an increase in tourists from India over the past few years due to proximity and demand for leisure. The destination has also worked to increase its visibility, partnering with actors Hrithik Roshan, Farhan Akhtar, and Abhay Deol for its “Zindagi Ko Yas Bol” campaign earlier this year.