Japan tourism industry to take 3,000-strong delegation to China

3,000 people?! 13,000 people !!! Are they trying to increase tourism by bumping up the numbers themselves? lol

I thought the locals didn't want more from China.

And who's footing the bill for this 3,000-strong junket?

I sure hope they go there with true intentions to lure in more people to experience the joys of Japan -- and not try and 'educate' them on how they should behave or any other kind of omotenashi, only to complain about them once they come. It would be really nice to see them welcoming the Chinese and guaranteeing a great stay and benefits to both parties monetarily and otherwise, but given the sentiment of many here while the Chinese were here over the holidays, I really wonder.

The real story here is Nikai Toshihiro. He is a pragmatic, conservative and not part of the anti-China and anti-Korea crowd in the LDP. As a very senior Diet member and Minister for Economics and Industry, he is not assailable. A few weeks ago he brought a similar delegation to Seoul, bringing a letter from Abe, and Nikai and Park Geun-hye reportedly had a warm conversation with Nikai agreeing that Japan needs to continue addressing the history issue properly.

I suspect Nikai has a similar mission in China.

So there are Japanese leaders doing the right thing in promoting ties with the neighbors rather than alienating them with systematic revisionism. Bravo to Nikai. Bravo to the Crown Prince. Bravo to Komura.

Mmm, I dunno. Think that Japanese still hold (&will always have) their skepticism on visiting Chinese.

And then when they come, Japanese press call them "golden hordes" who came to buy Japanese goods to take home to use as bribes and other hostile negative campaigns, practically calling them uncivilized and primitive. If I were a Chinese, I wouldn't bother coming.

This sounds good( but not to the locals ) especially since China has a massive middle class which translates to more tourists with $$$$$ to spend I'm sure most of their tourist are Chinese and Korean anyway.

Easy sell, 1: clean air. 2: clean cities. 3: clean modern toilets. 4:punctual trains. 5: products that last more than two hours before they brake. 6: loads of other things....

The majority of Japanese people do not want more Chinese tourists, at least not in Tokyo. Ask around and you will hear many say that it's already getting out of hand. Even foreign residents who were raised in more accepting, multicultural countries are complaining about the large number of Chinese tourists flooding the streets and all the problems its creating. Sure, the business lobby wants them because they are desperate for more revenue, but not the average Japanese citizen who lives in Tokyo and has to deal with the crowds daily. My family used to visit Tokyo, Kanagawa, Hakone every year. After visiting Japan last fall, we decided not to visit again for the immediate future. Too many Chinese tour groups, flags, etc. crowding the airport, hotels, Tokyo shopping areas, stores and streets. It wasn't an enjoyable experience for us anymore. We will wait for Japan and China to start fighting again over something big and the Chinese crowds reduce before returning.

liarsnfoolsFEB. 28, 2015 - 07:35PM JST The real story here is Nikai Toshihiro...

Good post, liarsnfools. And thank you for a bit of research/back-end story regarding Nikai.

@HaraldBloodaxeFEB. 28, 2015 - 07:08PM JST And who's footing the bill for this 3,000-strong junket?

Not your money or tax money. that is for sure.

Macao had been the place Chinese billionaires and multi ,Millionaires spending for some time but Chinese Govt nade bew laws that prohibit them go there. But it does not apply to spend money in Japan. Japanese tourism industry and many local areas are itchy to have them come to Japan. Maybe with their private jets?

Japan should look into the Saipan market for it pristine beaches and warm hospitality. Saipan might not have the glamor of extensive shopping, but it does have high end shops, all year round warm weather with better atmosphere, green environment and laid back traffic and 3 hours flight from Japan. If only given the exposure, the people of Japan will understand the history of the Island date back to the World War II era.... Majority of the citizens of Japan don't understand the Hiroshima and Nagasaki Atomic disaster. The planning and staging of the Atomic bomb drop was on the Island of Saipan, with the island of Tinian as the storage facility. The bomb pit is still in place and currently a point of interest for the few Tourist who want to see the history... Now tell me why Japan should not be interested and will just let it be....

It's always funny. Many countries have similar stories concerning China: World's rudest tourists! Cheap slave labor! Said slave workforce is committing suicide! Children's toys made in China contain lead which poisons kids! China's high speed rail is unsafe!

And then every country thinks about China's money and opportunity and roll out the carpet! Our high moral standard be damned! We need that China green!

@LEEPANMAR. 01, 2015 - 08:00AM JST Japan should look into the Saipan market

===================================================================

But these Japanese tourism industry people are not working for Saipan tourism. They are not interested in increasing some other countries' tourism.

It's all well and good to lambaste the Japanese for biting the hand that feeds them, but given what we know about large numbers of mainland Chinese wanting to bail in favour of more congenial climes, you can hardly blame the locals for wondering whether the sudden appearance of large numbers of strangers in their midst portends something more sinister than run outs on Toto bidets.

Aren't they already coming even without delegation?