InsideJapan News Network

Travellers considering a trip to Japan should not be put off by fears of radiation, the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has said.

In an announcement last week (April 15th), the organisation confirmed that radiation levels at the country's airports and sea ports are "well within safe limits".

The UNWTO statement continued: "The current situation poses no risk to travel to and from Japan. In addition, monitoring of passengers, crew and cargo from Japan does not suggest any health or safety risk."

This news will come as a welcome boost for Japan's tourism industry, which was massively affected by last month's earthquake that measured 9.0 on the Richter scale.

Since the natural disasters, tourist numbers have been as low as half of their usual level, the Japan National Tourism Board has estimated.

Furthermore, the Justice Ministry confirmed recently that 244,000 foreign visitors left Japan in the week following the March 11th earthquake.

Written by Susan Ballion