Valuable jewelry has emerged as a newfound favorite among tourists exploring Japan due to the sustained weakening of the Japanese yen.
Recently, the Japanese yen has been continuously depreciating, reaching its lowest level since December 1986. The yen's depreciation has fueled a growing interest in visiting Japan among international travelers. With the prolonged high price of gold, many foreign tourists are taking advantage of tax-free benefits and eagerly purchasing gold and jewelry products in the country.
Located in Tokyo's posh Ginza district, a brand jewelry store with nearly 80 years of history primarily sells gemstones, pearls, and precious metal jewelry targeting younger consumers, in addition to wedding rings and couple rings.
In the past, around 70 percent of the customers visiting the store were Japanese consumers. However, there has been a noticeable increase in the number of foreign customers, according to the store manager.
"Compared to the same period last year, the number of foreign customers visiting the store has doubled, and sales have tripled. Due to the current high gold prices, foreign customers are more inclined towards purchasing gold-related items. Additionally, there is a demand for Japanese Akoya pearl jewelry and diamond accessories," said the manager.
Affected by the rising prices of raw materials such as gold, pearls, and diamonds, this jewelry brand increased the overall product prices by approximately 10 percent in April this year. However, foreign tourists who believe gold jewelry to be on a path to continued price increases have helped sustain demand.
"I've been here before many years ago, it was more expensive and now it's a little more manageable," said a tourist.
"I think it's beautiful. I love jewelry, like you can see. So I think it's very trendy, very nice. And I love it. The price is very good. I like it, I like it. I'll come back tomorrow for more," said another tourist.
Similarly located in the Ginza district, staff from a secondhand jewelry store stated that they have witnessed a noticeable increase in the number of foreign customers and their purchase volumes recently. The average transaction value per order is approximately 500,000 yen (about 3,110 U.S. dollars). Among them, secondhand jewelry from well-known brands, due to its high-value retention, particularly attracts European and American customers.
Yen depreciation attracts tourist gold, jewelry purchases in Japan
With over a million followers on social media, French influencer Greg is dedicated to showcasing modern life and culture in China, inviting viewers to experience the country firsthand.
Currently based in Shanghai, Greg leverages his platform to share everything from delectable Chinese cuisine to popular trends, often featuring creative videos such as "Living a day in Shanghai on 100 yuan" and "How many Chinese cities can you visit in a day?"
Greg's connection to China dates back 16 years to when he was a 25-year-old student at a university in France. As graduation approached, he had the opportunity to study abroad and chose China among various options. Upon arriving in China, he quickly envisioned a future in the country and became determined to secure a steady job.
His journey took a significant turn during the Expo 2010 Shanghai China, where he worked as a translator for several travel agencies. His outstanding performance during the event led to an opportunity with a multinational wine trading company, where he served as the marketing director.
"Being a foreigner who speaks Chinese opened up numerous job opportunities for me. Every day has felt like a new adventure. Each day has felt different, and I was discovering new things every day. Even now, in 2024, I still feel this way," he said.
Initially, Greg produced informative videos in his spare time while working in the wine industry. His strong desire for self-expression and creativity attracted a significant following, fueling his inspiration for more content.
"I focus on creating optimistic videos. Because in my mind, China is a place full of optimism and happiness. You can experience anything you want here. You just need to create your own opportunities. I really like this kind of life," he said.
In 2022, after 12 years in the wine industry, he transitioned to full-time content creation. This shift was motivated by his love for the profession and a realization he had during a visit to France two years prior, where he discovered a widespread lack of understanding about China.
"I often complain about how inconvenient things are in France. For example, every time I go out, I forget my wallet, but in China, we don't need a wallet. Everything can be done through our phones. When we want to go shopping in France, we have to line up at the checkout and take all the stuff back home all by ourselves. I told my French countrymates, 'You know what? In China, people can use apps to order takeout, and it can be delivered within half an hour,'" he said.
Greg has made it his mission to create videos that highlight the aspects of China he loves, sharing these stories with audiences in France and around the world.
"People in France like China a lot now because of the videos I post," he said proudly.
He also emphasizes the need for a real-life experience to truly understand China.
"Watching videos is not enough. You have to come and see for yourself. Five hundred videos are nothing when compared to spending just 24 hours in Shanghai. It's only when you experience that you'll truly understand what China is all about. I wholeheartedly invite everyone to visit China, and I hope my videos inspire them to do that," he said.
French influencer promotes China's allure through social media
