A survey shows that during the latest quarter the average hotel price in Japan rose 15 percent from the same period in 2019, before the start of the coronavirus pandemic.

The survey was conducted by STR, a US firm that provides market data on the hotel industry worldwide. It shows that the average price for a hotel room in Japan during the January-March quarter was 16,125 yen, or about 120 dollars. That figure is up by the equivalent of about 15.7 dollars from the same period in 2019.

The survey also shows that the average price in Tokyo was the highest in the country at 21,587 yen, or about 160 dollars. That figure is up 17 percent, or about 24 dollars compared to 2019.

STR attributes the increase to the implementation of a government subsidy program aimed at promoting domestic travel and the recent easing of quarantine restrictions at ports of entry. It also cites the yen's weakness and surging consumer prices.

STR also says hotel prices in Tokyo have risen faster than elsewhere in the country, since larger numbers of foreign tourists have been visiting Tokyo, due to the quick resumption of transportation services and flights to the capital.

Regarding the prospects for the Japanese hotel industry, analysts say if tour groups from China begin to visit Japan again, as they did before the pandemic, that will cause further shortages of hotel rooms around the country.

They also say it is likely that room rates will level off in more than a year, especially in Tokyo, Osaka and other major cities. They note there is a chance that rates could rise beyond the current high levels.