A record 6.83 million Japanese traveled overseas...

A record 6.83 million Japanese traveled overseas in the past year, causing Japan to suffer a more than $8-billion deficit in its international balance of payments in tourism, according to a government report.

The report, attributing the surge to the strong value of the Japanese yen against other currencies, said Hawaii was the most attractive destination, drawing 1.66 million Japanese during fiscal year 1987 that ended in March. Hong Kong ranked second with 1.03 million, followed by South Korea with 900,000 and Taiwan with 810,000, it said.

The number of foreign visitors, including business travelers, to Japan increased 5% over a year ago to 2.15 million. Among them were 550,000 Americans, 380,000 Taiwanese and 220,000 South Koreans, the report said.

It said the difference the number of Japanese traveling overseas and the number of tourists visiting Japan caused an $8.663-billion deficit in Japan’s international balance of payments in tourism. Japan’s expenditures in the balance of tourism amounted to $10.76 billion, up 49% over a year ago, against income of $2.097 billion, up 43%, the report said.