Tourism, Japan's New Economic Driver

Above, the Tokyo Skytree and Asahi Beer Hall. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Signs that Japan's efforts to boost tourism are paying off.

Last year, ten million foreign visitors came into Japan for the first time in history. This year, 7.5 million foreign visitors had already entered Japan by July, the first time this number ever had been reached this early.

Tourism is now seen as a new "economic driver" for Japan.

The Japan Times reported:

With its contribution now rivaling that of the auto industry in at least one estimate, tourism is fast becoming a key focus of Japan’s economic policy. 

After Tokyo won its bid last September to host the 2020 Summer Olympics, the stage was set for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to intensify the government’s efforts to promote Japan as an ideal tourist destination. 

In January, as part of his “Abenomics” policy, he set a goal of doubling the annual number of foreign tourists to 20 million by 2020. In June, the government drew up a new action program, reworking the tone of tourism promotion measures.

Following the above, The Japan Times provides some questions and answers about Japan’s policies to bolster the tourism sector ahead of the Olympics.

To read the full article, go here.