The number of South Korean visitors to Japan plunged nearly 60 percent on-year in September.... amid the continuing No-Japan movement in the country.<br />Kan Hyeong-woo reports.<br />It all began in July when Japan imposed export curbs on three high-tech materials to South Korea.<br />The materials are crucial for the production of semiconductors and displays, two of South Korea's biggest export items.<br />Tokyo's measures triggered a huge voluntary boycott movement - called 'NO NO Japan' among South Korean citizens.<br />Those taking part stopped buying Japanese products and refrained from taking trips to Japan.<br />The latest data released by the Japan National Tourism Organization on Wednesday shows the tourism boycott movement has only become more pronounced.<br />The number of South Korean visitors to Japan plunged 58 percent on-year in September.<br />An estimated 200-thousand South Koreans travelled to Japan last month,... a sharp tumble compared to some 470-thousand visitors a year ago.<br />It's also the third biggest drop since Japanese tourism authorities began releasing related data in 2003.<br />The decline in September follows a seven percent decrease in July and 48 percent drop in August.<br />Due to the rapid downward trend in recent months,... the number of South Korean visitors to Japan during the first nine months of the year recorded some 4-point-8 million,... 13 percent less than the same period last year.<br />Japanese regions and travel agencies relying on South Korean tourism are especially feeling the heat.<br />Fukuoka's Beetle ferry service sailing the daily route to Korea's southeastern port city of Busan saw a 70 percent drop in South Korean passengers last month.<br />Japan's biggest travel agency, JTB, said it had 80 percent fewer South Korean customers in the same month.<br />The travel agency added reservations for October and November are down by similar percentages.<br />Kan Hyeong-woo, Arirang News.<br />
