SEOUL, March 19 (Yonhap) -- The number of flight passengers from South Korea to Japan has sharply increased so far this year compared with a year ago, data showed Sunday, on the back of eased travel restrictions and a weaker Japanese yen.

The combined number of passengers traveling from Incheon International Airport and Gimpo International Airport to Japan from Jan. 1-March 16 reached 1.35 million, exceeding last year's total of 1.29 million, according to the data compiled by the two airports' operators.

A growing number of Korean travelers are heading to the neighboring country after Tokyo allowed visa-free travel for inbound passengers in October and a weak Japanese yen against Korean won made Japanese goods cheaper.

Source: Yonhap News Agency