The past 10 years has seen dramatic growth in international visitor numbers to Japan. Our research investigates Japanese host community perceptions of tourism development, specifically the impact that social distance has on these perceptions. Results from host residents (n = 1,569) confirmed significant differences in perceived social distance between visitor nationalities. Regression analyses reveal social distance to have a more significant influence on host perceptions towards tourism and its development than host attributes identified in earlier studies. Strategies and tactics for alleviating social distance are discussed, and implications are drawn for Japan's future development as a sustained successful tourism destination.

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