TOKYO - As Japan continues to see record-breaking numbers of foreign visitors, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has instructed relevant authorities to draft a new plan to increase the number of inbound tourists to 60 million by 2030 while boosting regional appeal, local media reported Tuesday.

Tourism is a fundamental industry for regional economies and a key driver of regional revitalization where both young people and women can thrive, Ishiba said at a ministerial meeting, quoted by the national broadcaster NHK.

He urged public and private sectors to work together to implement a robust tourism strategy, directing the government to compile a new plan by the end of the next fiscal year to achieve the 2030 targets of 60 million foreign visitors and 15 trillion yen ($100.2 billion) in spending.

In 2024, Japan welcomed a record-breaking 36.86 million foreign visitors. However, challenges remain, including the fact that 70 percent of accommodations were concentrated in three major metropolitan areas, highlighting the need for better regional tourism distribution.

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The new plan is expected to address key issues such as enhancing regional tourism appeal, improving infrastructure, including airports and secondary transportation networks, and implementing measures to prevent overtourism, according to NHK.