Frustration is soaring among residents on remote Japanese islands due to 'mileage hunting' — a common practice of accumulating airline points frequently adopted by urban dwellers. Local residents are finding it increasingly difficult to secure flight seats due to a surge in visitors pursuing more mileage credit, leading to overcrowded flights and strained local resources. This clash between the needs of local communities and visitors further amplifies issues related to sustainable tourism in remote regions.

In Japan, collecting airline miles, or 'mileage hunting', is a common practice, especially among city dwellers. However, the unexpected side effect is the strain it puts on smaller island communities. In these communities, daily conveniences and essential needs heavily rely on air travel. The debates about balancing tourism and local welfare, and about sustainable tourism, have become hot topics nationwide.

In regions such as the US or EU, measures are typically taken to balance local interests with tourism demands. This can include limiting visitor numbers, implementing special taxes, or promoting off-season tourism. However, the situation in Japan is more complex due to the reliance on air travel in remote regions, making it a unique challenge.