Arguably no Japanese industry was harder hit by the COVID-19 pandemic than businesses catering to inbound foreign tourists.
While it is true that footfall-dependent commerce such as restaurants and cafes struggled initially, a quick pivot to delivery-heavy operations while awaiting the return of domestic customers helped many survive.
The closing of borders however, followed by the slow pace of reopening, wreaked havoc on hotels and attractions whose clientele were mostly foreign visitors.
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