Tokyo, Sept. 18 (Jiji Press)–The estimated number of visitors to Japan in August dived 99.7 pct from a year before to 8,700, the Japan National Tourism Organization said Friday.

The inbound visitor number has been below 10,000 since April due to travel restrictions introduced worldwide amid the novel coronavirus pandemic.

The monthly figure plunged 99.9 pct for four straight months through July. The visitor number in August improved from 3,800 in July.

Still, most visitors to Japan are believed to be foreigners with resident status in the country.

“It will take some more time for Japan to start seeing a recovery in the number of tourists from abroad,” Japan Tourism Agency Commissioner Atsumi Gamo told a press conference.

While its goal of increasing the number of visitors to the country to 40 million in 2020 is almost unattainable, the government plans to keep intact its target of boosting the annual number to 60 million in 2030.

“Japan’s cleanliness will be an advantage (in attracting foreign tourists) in an era with the coronavirus,” he said.