The estimated number of foreign visitors to Japan in the first half of 2014 hit a record high of 6.26 million thanks to the yen's weakness and increased international flights at Tokyo's Haneda airport, a government body said Wednesday.

"If this pace continues for the remaining months of the year, we can expect as many as 12 million visitors" this year, an official of the Japan National Tourism Organization said.

The figure eclipsed the previous high of 4.95 million set last year for the January-June period.

In June alone, the number of foreign passenger arrivals by sea and air rose 17.3 percent on year to 1.06 million, surpassing the 1 million mark for the fourth consecutive month, said the organization, which also anticipates many foreign visitors during the travel season in July.

(source : newsonjapan.com)