访日游客如减少，或引发日元进一步贬值

Group 1 - The article highlights that rising oil prices are increasing outbound travel costs globally, potentially leading to a 6% decrease in foreign tourists visiting Japan by the end of 2026 if WTI crude oil prices remain around $100 per barrel [2][5]. - The depreciation of the yen and appreciation of the dollar are exacerbated by rising oil prices, with the yen trading at around 158 yen per dollar, and predictions suggest it may reach 160 yen per dollar soon [2][4]. - Concerns about Japan's trade deficit are growing due to reliance on imported energy, which increases payment costs as oil prices rise, leading to increased selling of yen and buying of dollars [4][9]. Group 2 - The article notes that if oil prices remain high, there could be a reduction in yen buying pressure due to decreased inbound tourism demand [5]. - The increase in oil prices has led to higher airline fuel costs, with prices rising from $99.4 per barrel to $175 within a few weeks, prompting some airlines to raise fuel surcharges [7]. - The travel surplus, which has been a buffer against service account deficits, is narrowing, with January's travel surplus down 10.4% year-on-year, attributed to yen depreciation and reduced Chinese tourist numbers [8][9].