Silviase/jgov_v1.4_full_ann huggingface dataset:
# 2 Increasing Consumption of Foreign Visitors, Tapping Demand for Wide-Ranging Tourism-Related Industries and Strengthening the Tourism Industry

## (1) Expansion of the Consumption Tax-Free System for Foreign Visitors

We have made expansion of the consumption tax-free system for foreign visitors, such as by expanding the range of tax-free items and introducing the system of tax-free procedure counters in shopping streets etc. Due to these efforts, the number of tax-free shops increased from 5,777 in April 2014 to 29,047 in October 2015.

In the FY 2016 tax reform, the system was further expanded from the perspective of increasing consumption in the countryside, including the reduction of the lower limit purchase amount for general goods.

## (2) Enhancing the Appeals of Shopping by Expanding Bonded Shops in Cities

In FY 2015, two bonded shops (airport-type duty-free shops) were opened in Ginza, Tokyo and started the services that enable travelers who purchase goods in these bonded shops to receive them at Haneda Airport and Narita Airport.

## (3) Developing Talent to Revitalize and Improve Productivity in the Tourism Industry

Management talent development courses were opened in collaboration with regional universities for senior management and managers of Japanese inns and hotels who play important roles in regional economies. In addition, an internship model project was carried out for college students with help from tourism-related bodies and enterprises to help them develop a better understanding of the tourism industry and brew a sense of employment in it.

Furthermore, in order to facilitate the engagement by foreigners in Japan in the tourism industry, approaches to the application of the status of residence and specific examples of cases where work is permitted or not permitted were posted on the website of the Ministry of Justice for foreigners wishing to work at accommodation facilities. Also, given that the number of foreign travelers who enjoy real skiing is increasing, the status of residence requirements for foreign ski instructors in lieu of the years of practical experience were examined after surveying persons related to ski resorts on the status of residence requirements, and it was decided to approve certain qualifications of ski instructors as alternative requirements. As for tour operators that make travel arrangements for foreign travelers, the Japan Tourism Agency promoted the certification system operated by Japan Association of Travel Agents (JATA) as secretariat for indicating the levels of service quality and reliability of companies, as well as certified business operators by the system.
# 3 Creation of Tourism Areas that Contribute to Regional Revitalization and Development of Domestic Tourism

(1) Developing attractive tourism areas with high international competitiveness

In order to create tourism areas with outstanding attractions that appeal to people inside and outside Japan with specified themes, three tourism zones including Kagawa Setouchi Art Tourism Zone were certified and received business support in FY 2015 as areas that can respond to stay-and-exchange type tourism in accordance with the Act on Promotion of Tourists' Visit and Stay Through Development of Tourism Areas.

Also, the aim of development of extensive sightseeing routes (broad sightseeing flow lines) according to the number of days travelers from overseas are staying in Japan by creating a network of the most attractive sightseeing spots in many prefectures based on themes and

stories, taking transportation access into account, and to positively disseminate it overseas to attract visitors to Japan, and seven routes across Japan were newly certified in FY 2015 in an effort to support regional initiatives.

## (2) Supporting the development of tourism areas that leverages tourist resources

It is necessary to create tourism areas that leverage tourism resources, such as historical sceneries, beautiful nature, marine resources, rich and varied rural areas, and attractive food culture, and appeal to various needs of travelers.

To this end, we decided to support measures for developing regions that leverage their tourism resources and for reviving tourism such as by improving the environment to receive tourists and enhancing secondary transportation, in a unified manner in FY 2015. Leveraging this project, we supported the development of tourism in 30 regions across Japan including the industrial tourism that uses Arita ware of Arita-cho and the residential tourism having the Tomioka Silk Mill in Tomioka-shi, Gunma Prefecture at its core.

About 80% of all Michi-no-Ekis across Japan are furnished with a tourist information center, which not only serves as a gateway for first-time visitors to the localities but as a site to host optional tours. In FY 2015, we started installing free public WiFi at Michi-no-ekis (called Michi-no-eki SPOT) and information centers in coordination with the Japan Tourism Agency to provide easier access to road traffic information and enhance tourist information for inbound foreign visitors. Furthermore, starting from FY 2015, we are working to improve tourist spot signs by indicating names of tourist spots on intersection signs placed at the entrance of adjacent or access roads to tourist spots so that tourist spot signs will become easier to understand.

## 4 Proactive Improvement of the Environment to Receive Tourists

Establishing an environment for comfortable and smooth transportation and stay is critical in terms of being well prepared to receive rapidly increasing number of foreign travelers and ensuring that they are satisfied with their visit and become repeated visitors.
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# the Tourism strategy meeting in each regional block toward receiving 20 million inbound foreign tourists

In March 2015, in order to enhance structures to accept rapidly increasing inbound foreign tourists and promptly implement measures to solve regional issues, a liaison conference to accept 20 million inbound foreign tourists was organized in each of 10 regional blocks around the nation, consisting of regional offices of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT), local governments, and related enterprises.

In December of the same year, each block put together the results and issues of its activities, and in February of this year, the blocks reported on the contents to the Tourism Nation Promotion Headquarters of MLIT (the 6th) headed by the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. Some of the problem-solving cases in FY 2015 are introduced below.

○ Hokkaido Block[Measures to supply a sufficient number of taxis at New Chitose Airport]In order to respond to the increasing demand for taxis at New Chitose Airport from the increase in foreign travelers to Hokkaido, an official notice was issued by the Hokkaido District Transport Bureau in December 2015 to approve the expansion of the areas of operation for the taxi business associated with New Chitose Airport for the stable supply of taxis.	○ Kanto Block[Measures to relieve the road congestion caused by chartered busses]For the purpose of solving the problem of road congestion by chartered busses in Ginza, Akihabara, and other areas, a conference organization was established in December 2015, consisting of the Kanto District Transport Bureau, the Kanto Regional Development Bureau, the Tokyo metropolitan government, the Metropolitan Police Department, and enterprise organizations.

Source) Japan Tourism Agency

○ Hokuriku Shinetsu Block

[Measures to install more coin-operated lockers in Kanazawa Station]

Because users of Kanazawa Station, including foreign travelers, have increased more rapidly than

planned following the opening of the Hokuriku Shinkansen, more coin-operated lockers have been installed inside the station to solve the locker shortage in July 2015.

Source) Japan Tourism Agency

In February 2016, campaigns to improve the manners of travel agencies and the chartered bus business were conducted.

Source) Japan Tourism Agency

## ○ Chugoku Block

[Measures to improve the free public wireless LAN environment in Michi-no-ekis (Roadside Stations)] In Michi-no-ekis (Roadside Stations) placed along national roads under the direct control of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) within the jurisdiction of the Chugoku Regional Development Bureau, the improvement project for Michi-no-eki SPOT, the free public wireless LAN service, was launched in December, 2015 to enhance the information transmission function in the Michi-no-ekis.

Source) MLIT

In FY 2016 as well, efforts are to be made to solve issues concerning the structures to accept inbound foreign tourists.
## Column

# Rules for English Translation of Japanese Geographical Names and Map Symbols for Overseas Visitors have been settled

## • Introduction

In order to improve the environment for the efficient travel of inbound foreign tourists and to support realization of a tourism nation and uninterrupted delivery of the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan (GSI) had considered the rules for translating Japanese geographical names into English and map symbols designed for overseas visitors as standards for creating foreign-language maps.

For this effort, public comments were invited for inclusion in the Working Rules for Operating Specifications, which stipulates standard methods of public surveys conducted by the government, local governments, and other agencies.

Based on the results, the rules for translation and 15 map symbols were determined at the end of March and published on the following website:

http://www.gsi.go.jp/kihonjohochousa/kihonjohochousa60019.html

## • Rules for English Translation of Japanese Geographical Names

“Rules for English Translation of Japanese Geographical Names” identify how to translate Japanese geographical names such as those of mountains and rivers into English. Mainly, there are two methods of translation. The following are the characteristics of each method.

### 1. Substitution format

Like Mt. Tsukuba for Tsukuba-san, the san (mount) is replaced by “Mt”. Tone-gawa is translated as the Tone River. This method has less redundancy in the names and shows the names concisely on maps.

### 2. Addition format

Like Mt. Gassan for Gassan, “Mt.” is added to the Japanese name written in Roman letters. If using the replacement method, Gassan becomes Mt. Gatsu, which is difficult for Japanese to understand. Similarly, for Arakawa, Arakawa River instead of Ara River is more easily communicated to the Japanese. The addition format is applied when the substitution format is hard to use, or Japanese cannot easily identify the original Japanese names from the English names translated by the substitution format.

The Rules for English Translation of Japanese Geographical Names summarize how to use each method properly.
## • Map Symbols for Overseas Visitors

Map symbols designed for overseas visitors have been determined for 15 facilities frequently used by foreign visitors, such as hotels and restaurants.

Map Symbols for Overseas Visitors

Item	Symbol Decided	Item	Symbol Decided	Item	Symbol Decided
Post office	☑	Hospital	☑	Restaurant	☑
Police box (Koban)	☑	Bank/ATM	☑	Toilet	☑
Shrine	☑	Shopping center / department store	☑	Hot spring	☑
Church	☑	Convenience store / supermarket	☑	Railway station	☑
Museum	☑	Hotel	☑	Airport / airfield	☑

## • Conclusion

The rules and symbols settled will be adopted as standards when GSI creates foreign-language maps and will be disseminated among local governments and map-making companies to facilitate their use.

## Section 3

## tion 3 Building a Beautiful Nation Blessed with Pleasing Landscapes, etc

## 1 Pleasing Landscape Formation

(1) Accelerating community development leveraged by the Landscape Act, etc.

Efforts to form pleasing landscapes have been accelerated by landscape administrative bodies Note based on the Landscape Act, which numbered 673 groups as of the end of September 2015, with 492 of them pursuing their own landscape plans. Further, the number of municipalities that formulated ministerial ordinances pursuant to the Outdoor Advertisement Act by becoming landscape administrative bodies rose to 68 groups as of the end of March 2016, and comprehensive formation of pleasing landscape is ongoing.

## (2) Approaching landscape discussions as part of social capital development

To move ahead with landscape-conscious social capital development, a scheme of making post-project predictions and assessments of landscapes and factoring them into project plans while hearing diverse opinions from the local residents, academic experts and others has been pursued.
## (3) Accelerating removal of utility poles

From viewpoints of creating pleasing landscapes, promoting tourism, keeping driving environment safe and comfortable, making roads disasterprepared, we remove utility poles by promoting simultaneous development when constructing new roads or widening existing roads and implementing model construction works for introduction of lowcost methods.

## (4) Driving the Japan Scenic Trails campaign

The Japan Scenic Trails campaign has been driven with the view of furthering roadside landscape designs and greening by leveraging regional resources and collaborating with various entities in order to help realize a tourism nation and contribute to regional revitalization. As of the end of March 2016, 138 routes were registered as Scenic Trails. Activities include those that help form pleasing landscapes and add to the charms of roadside localities by working in conjunction with Michi-no-Eki (Roadside Stations).

## (5) Promoting the development of waterfront spaces, etc

Practice of the concept of nature-rich river works has been promoted in all river restoration projects to preserve and create the habitat, growing and breeding environments of living organism inherent in rivers and diversities of river landscape while keeping the rivers in harmony with local livelihood, history, and cultures with their workings of nature taken into consideration. Also, in order to revitalize rivers and towns connected to them from the mouth of river to the source, we support the initiative of community development that utilizes rivers with coordination among municipalities, private businesses, local residents, and river administrators by promoting the formation of favorable spaces where rivers and towns integrate. Specifically, we provide support through the river environment project to preserve/restore and create a favorable river environment, exceptions of the permission rules on exclusive use for river sites for opening river spaces, water resource area vision that aims to revitalize water source regions leveraging dams, and Mizubering Project that provides the wide public with opportunities to find value in rivers.

Other ongoing efforts directed at regenerating and creating waterside environments from the facility spaces of sewage line and from sewage plant effluents include development of babbling water streams taking advantage of storm sewers and that of facilities for putting sewage plant effluents to use as babbling water. The conservation and creation of excellent waterside environments is also ensured by the implementation of appropriate wastewater treatment.
## 2 Community Development Leveraging Nature and History

(1) Developing National Government Parks to contribute to the preservation, utilization, etc. of Japan's indigenous cultures

The development of National Government Parks has been driven to ensure the preservation, utilization, etc. of Japan’s superb indigenous cultures. A total of 17 National Government Parks are already open. In FY 2015, the area surrounding the Kitora Tumulus, etc. was refurbished in the Asuka Historical National Government Park (Asuka Zone).

## (2) Preserving historic landscapes in ancient capitals

In Japan’s ancient capital, such as Kyoto, Nara, and Kamakura, restrictions are placed on constructing new buildings, etc., making additions and modifications to existing ones, developing housing land and so on under the Act on Special Measures for Preservation of Historic Natural Features in Ancient Cities (Ancient Capitals Preservation Law). The Act also provides for the implementation of ancient city preservation projects, such as purchasing land, and publicity, educational and other activities, to help preserve historic landscapes in these cities.

(3) Preserving and utilizing historic public buildings of historical value, etc.

With the aim of contributing to regional town development, we are promoting the preservation and utilization of historic government facilities locally known for a long time. We have developed the environment of historic sediment control facilities (2 Important Cultural Properties and 191 Registered Tangible Cultural Properties as of March 31, 2016) by positioning them and their surrounding environment as a core of tourism resources, thereby encouraging efforts that contribute to the formation of a new forum of human interaction.

## (4) Community development leveraging histories and cultures

Historic landscape maintenance and improvement plans for 53 municipalities (as of March 31, 2016) have been accredited to drive community development leveraging local histories and traditional cultures and approaches pursuant to the plans supported, based on the Law on the Maintenance and Improvement of Historic Landscape in a Community (Historical Urban Development Law). In addition, we provided renovation and other support on buildings that serve as landscape and historic resources in order to drive forward the formation of pleasing scenic and historic landscapes.

Figure II-3-3-2

Civil-Engineering Art Sediment-Control

Dam Tour (Otari-mura, Nagano prefecture)

Tourism and exchange activities are promoted using historic sediment control facilities that protect the communities.

Source) Otari Village Tourism Association
## (5) Promotion of Mizubering Project

Mizubering is an initiative to provide opportunities to find a new value in rivers from outside to people and private companies leading daily lives or engaging in economic activities without being conscious of rivers around them.

Mizubering is an activity taking place in more than 40 locations nationwide aimed at realizing regional revitalization starting from waterfronts across Japan while creating a new social design by using rivers as a new frontier and various entities collaborating with each other.

The MLIT will support efforts of regional people and private companies through Mizubering so that value of rivers can be leveraged further to serve their roles as regional treasures.

Figure II-3-3-3

Riverbed Sketch (Miyagawa River, Takayama city, Gifu)

Source) Junior Chamber International Takayama

Source) Junior Chamber International Takayama