Department stores welcome back tourists

Foreign visitors go through duty-free procedures after shopping at Matsuya Ginza in Chuo Ward, Tokyo, on Oct. 31. (Credit: The Yomiuri Shimbun)

Major department stores are stepping up their efforts to accommodate foreign visitors as they anticipate the return of strong sales.

Following the slump caused by the spread of the novel coronavirus, the department stores expect growth in consumption, driven by the drastic easing of border control measures and the record depreciation of the yen.