Chinese curb shopping sprees in Tokyo as yuan slides 10% versus yen

Tokyo

CHINESE tourists tumbling off buses into the Laox duty-free store in Tokyo's bustling Ginza district say the yuan's drop against the yen may make them think twice about splurging during their shopping tours.

"Many things are better than China," said a 27-year-old Beijinger called Wang, who declined to give his full name but was happy to show off his purchases - a face-massaging tool and electric thermos. "Exchange rates are important," he added, as the currency market determines what he can afford with his daily shopping budget equivalent to US$800.

The number of Chinese visitors to Japan, which peaked at 591,510 in August, fell to 347,100 in December, the least since March, as the yuan weakened about 10 per cent against the yen since the end o…