## ○ Promoting tourism exchange

To further promote two-way tourism exchange with other countries, Japan holds bilateral consultations and tourism conferences at the ministerial level with countries that have relationships with Japan in the tourism sector. Educational visits to Japan and other youth exchange with citizens of many countries is also being promoted.

## Poster for promoting the Visit Japan Campaign

Yōkosō! Japan Weeks

2006 1/20~2/20

## [Making internationally-competitive tourism destinations]

○ Enhancing the charm of tourist resorts

MLIT has created a “Tourism Renaissance subsidy system” to provide partial financial assistance for environmental improvement programs for hosting overseas visitors and similar programs implemented by private organizations. The ministry is also promoting coordination and cooperation between regions and travel agencies on local tourism marketing, as well as opening “tourism charisma schools,” in addition to other efforts.

## Selected Areas for the Tourism Renaissance Subsidy System and Practical Plan for Creating Tourist Destinations

1. Shiribeshi district council for tourism exchange promotion in broad-based partnership (Hokkaido)

2. Furano City council for international tourism promotion (Hokkaido)

3. Ozora town council for tourism and town development promotion (Hokkaido)

4. Akita-Iwate council for tourism exchange promotion in broad-based partnership (Akita and Iwate)

5. Omonogawa river council for tourism exchange and local revitalization (Akita)

6. Circum-Chokai region council for tourism exchange promotion (Akita and Yamagata)

7. Mogami river basin council for tourism exchange promotion (Yamagata)

8. Aizu council for tourism exchange promotion in broad-based partnership (Fukushima)

9. Iwaki-Kitaibaraki-Takahagi broad-based tourism promotion council (Fukushima and Ibaraki)

10. Hitachi and Fusa “joint-up” project promotion council (Chiba and Ibaraki)

11. West sagami district council for tourism exchange promotion (Kanagawa)

12. Shinetsu region council for tourism exchange promotion (Niigata and Nagano)

13. Noto Peninsula council for tourism exchange promotion in broad-based partnership (Ishikawa)

14. Kaga City council for tourism exchange promotion (Ishikawa)

15. Mt.Fuji Four Lakes region council for tourism exchange promotion in broad-based partnership

16. Shinshu Azumino council for tourism network promotion (Nagano)

17. Nihon Rhine broad-based tourism promotion council (Aichi and Gifu)

18. Izu district council for tourism promotion (Shizuoka)

19. Arimatsu Okehazama council for the advancement of tourism and creation of tourist areas (Aichi)

20. Ise-Futami region council for tourism exchange promotion (Mie)

21. Shrine and pilgrimage road in Kii mountains council for tourism exchange place promotion in broad-based partnership (Mie, Nara and Wakayama)

22. Kyoto-Otsu-Uji region council for tourism exchange promotion in broad-based partnership (Shiga and Kyoto)

23. Tango council for tourism exchange promotion in broad-based partnership (Kyoto)

Areas eligible for the Tourism Renaissance subsidy (13 areas)

Areas selected for the practical plan for creating tourism destinations (33 areas)

24. Tottori “grand design” council for tourism strategies promotion (Tottori)

25. Oki-dougo district council for tourism exchange promotion in broad-based partnership (Shimane)

26. Hagi-Masuda-Tsuwano region council for tourism exchange promotion in broad-based partnership (Shimane and Yamaguchi)

27. East Seto inland sea council for tourism (Okayama and Kagawa)

28. Konpira region council for tourism promotion through town development (Kagawa)

29. South Iyo district council for tourism exchange promotion in broad-based partnership (Ehime)

30. Shimanto river broad-based tourism promotion council (Kouchi)

31. Nakatsu-Buzen-Chikujo prefectural border area council for tourism exchange promotion in broad-based partnership (Fukuoka and Oita)

32. Usa-Kunishaki Peninsula council for tourism exchange promotion in broad-based partnership (Oita)

33. Miyako district council for tourism exchange promotion in broad-based partnership (Okinawa)