1 00:00:03,210 --> 00:00:05,400 Speaker 1: You're listening to a CNA podcast. 2 00:00:17,389 --> 00:00:21,440 Speaker 1: This is the most watched video on Visit Japan's official 3 00:00:21,440 --> 00:00:27,239 Speaker 1: YouTube page. It shows cherry blossoms, bamboo gardens, snow covered peaks, 4 00:00:27,399 --> 00:00:29,729 Speaker 1: but to be honest, it looks like any other tourism 5 00:00:29,729 --> 00:00:33,119 Speaker 1: promo out there. But what makes this 32nd clip stand 6 00:00:33,119 --> 00:00:37,090 Speaker 1: out is that it has 67 million views. The global 7 00:00:37,090 --> 00:00:40,720 Speaker 1: infatuation with Japan is not new, but it has been 8 00:00:40,720 --> 00:00:43,950 Speaker 1: growing since the end of the pandemic, and this year, 9 00:00:44,159 --> 00:00:46,369 Speaker 1: the countdown is on for this. 10 00:00:47,909 --> 00:00:54,569 Speaker 1: In 2025, Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai, Japan will finally arrive. 11 00:00:55,220 --> 00:00:59,139 Speaker 1: The World Expo opens its doors in mid-April. Organizers hope 12 00:00:59,139 --> 00:01:02,529 Speaker 1: the event will draw more than 28 million visitors, but 13 00:01:02,529 --> 00:01:06,569 Speaker 1: here's the thing. Japan is a country known for its contradictions, 14 00:01:06,690 --> 00:01:08,779 Speaker 1: and that includes its tourism. 15 00:01:09,160 --> 00:01:13,250 Speaker 1: It wants to welcome foreigners, but it's also struggling with overcrowding. 16 00:01:13,419 --> 00:01:20,099 Speaker 1: I'm Teresa Tang. CNA's Japan correspondent Mico Ishida joins me today. Hi, Mitch. Hi, 17 00:01:20,419 --> 00:01:23,139 Speaker 1: I've been to Japan once. I know only once, you know, 18 00:01:23,260 --> 00:01:26,019 Speaker 1: what I remember, the food was good, locals were polite, 19 00:01:26,099 --> 00:01:29,540 Speaker 1: it was fun. I liked it, but some people don't 20 00:01:29,540 --> 00:01:33,370 Speaker 1: like Japan. They love Japan. They go back over and 21 00:01:33,370 --> 00:01:34,180 Speaker 1: over again. 22 00:01:34,580 --> 00:01:37,139 Speaker 1: Especially in the last few years, given the yen is 23 00:01:37,139 --> 00:01:40,860 Speaker 1: so weak. As a local, do you understand the infatuation 24 00:01:40,860 --> 00:01:43,379 Speaker 1: people have with your country? You know, what makes it 25 00:01:43,379 --> 00:01:44,589 Speaker 1: so captivating? 26 00:01:45,540 --> 00:01:50,910 Speaker 1: Well, Theresa, I do travel throughout Japan as a TV correspondent. Honestly, 27 00:01:51,190 --> 00:01:54,790 Speaker 1: before I became a correspondent a few decades ago, I 28 00:01:54,790 --> 00:01:58,660 Speaker 1: didn't find Japan so captivating. No, I basically thought Japanese 29 00:01:58,660 --> 00:02:02,669 Speaker 1: food tasted too salty, soy saucy, lots of miso. 30 00:02:03,519 --> 00:02:06,550 Speaker 1: But because, you know, I've been traveling for this job, 31 00:02:06,720 --> 00:02:10,959 Speaker 1: I realized that the experience is different in every prefecture 32 00:02:10,960 --> 00:02:15,479 Speaker 1: throughout Japan. There are 47 prefectures, the culinary experience, including 33 00:02:15,479 --> 00:02:19,880 Speaker 1: the local catch, the fish, the kind of land, the climate, 34 00:02:20,080 --> 00:02:23,309 Speaker 1: differentiates the kind of fruits, vegetables that are grown. 35 00:02:23,750 --> 00:02:29,350 Speaker 1: And the landscape varies. Japan has its four seasons, cherry blossoms, 36 00:02:29,389 --> 00:02:32,470 Speaker 1: the autumn leaves, you know, and as Japan is a 37 00:02:32,470 --> 00:02:36,750 Speaker 1: volcanic archipelago, there are hot springs in most areas, and 38 00:02:36,750 --> 00:02:40,389 Speaker 1: there are deep forests, the beautiful rivers, mountains, and the 39 00:02:40,389 --> 00:02:44,710 Speaker 1: most iconic is Mount Fuji. There are historic structures, you know, 40 00:02:45,050 --> 00:02:48,948 Speaker 1: one of the most famous are in the old capital Kyoto. 41 00:02:49,059 --> 00:02:53,929 Speaker 1: With the UNESCO World Heritage Temples and Shrines and in 2024, 42 00:02:53,940 --> 00:03:00,359 Speaker 1: a record 36.87 million visited Japan. That's 15.6% more than 43 00:03:00,360 --> 00:03:04,250 Speaker 1: in 2019. That's the year when inbound tourists recorded the 44 00:03:04,250 --> 00:03:09,410 Speaker 1: most pre-COVID-19 times. And of course the yen's depreciation has 45 00:03:09,410 --> 00:03:13,690 Speaker 1: had a big impact too to help draw inbound tours 46 00:03:13,690 --> 00:03:14,360 Speaker 1: last year. 47 00:03:14,750 --> 00:03:17,940 Speaker 1: But you know, really up until 25, 30 years ago, 48 00:03:18,029 --> 00:03:21,990 Speaker 1: inbound tourism was not vital for Japan's economy. Japan had 49 00:03:21,990 --> 00:03:25,910 Speaker 1: enough domestic travelers with its huge population, but today with 50 00:03:25,910 --> 00:03:30,369 Speaker 1: its declining population and a weaker manufacturing industry, except for the, 51 00:03:30,380 --> 00:03:34,109 Speaker 1: you know, auto-making industry, tourism has emerged to become one 52 00:03:34,110 --> 00:03:37,949 Speaker 1: of the most hopeful industries in Japan today. It sounds 53 00:03:37,949 --> 00:03:40,029 Speaker 1: like there's something for everyone in Japan. 54 00:03:40,570 --> 00:03:44,250 Speaker 1: Let's talk about the World Expo. Many governments believe it's 55 00:03:44,250 --> 00:03:46,970 Speaker 1: one of the big 3 events that can elevate a 56 00:03:46,970 --> 00:03:49,529 Speaker 1: country's visibility on the world stage, you know, the other 57 00:03:49,529 --> 00:03:52,839 Speaker 1: two being the Olympics and the football World Cup. 58 00:03:53,250 --> 00:03:57,050 Speaker 1: Japan has hosted all of those events 6 times for 59 00:03:57,050 --> 00:03:59,610 Speaker 1: the Expo, and this is actually the 2nd time the 60 00:03:59,610 --> 00:04:03,449 Speaker 1: so-called World's Fair has been in Osaka. And I know 61 00:04:03,449 --> 00:04:05,729 Speaker 1: you attended in the past. Can you tell me what 62 00:04:05,729 --> 00:04:09,050 Speaker 1: that experience was like? Yes, well, I did cover the 63 00:04:09,050 --> 00:04:11,119 Speaker 1: Tokyo Olympic Games of the 64 00:04:11,229 --> 00:04:16,399 Speaker 1: 02 World Cup. And as to the World Expo, I 65 00:04:16,399 --> 00:04:20,910 Speaker 1: covered the 2005 IT Expo. My impression of that time, 66 00:04:21,079 --> 00:04:23,869 Speaker 1: it was just so crowded. I was there 3 to 67 00:04:23,869 --> 00:04:27,920 Speaker 1: 4 times, but I never saw the most talked about 68 00:04:27,920 --> 00:04:32,429 Speaker 1: attraction at that time. The display of the real mammoth 69 00:04:32,600 --> 00:04:34,390 Speaker 1: excavated from Siberia. 70 00:04:36,600 --> 00:04:39,738 Speaker 1: Yes, in Siberia, but I missed it. The queue was 71 00:04:39,738 --> 00:04:42,899 Speaker 1: just too long. I was not there to actually cover 72 00:04:42,899 --> 00:04:46,940 Speaker 1: the mammoth, but to cover the Singapore pavilion and some 73 00:04:46,940 --> 00:04:51,100 Speaker 1: high-tech displays. I do remember seeing robotic vehicles. I think 74 00:04:51,100 --> 00:04:55,489 Speaker 1: I've tried some of them. The most memorable coverage was 75 00:04:55,488 --> 00:04:59,779 Speaker 1: a joint concert by Japan's pop queen, Yumi Matsutoya and 76 00:04:59,779 --> 00:05:04,329 Speaker 1: Singapore's singer Dick Lee celebrating um SG 40 at that time. 77 00:05:04,750 --> 00:05:09,440 Speaker 1: And actually the 2005 IT Expo played a vital role 78 00:05:09,440 --> 00:05:13,559 Speaker 1: to promote the three R's to reduce, reuse, and recycle, 79 00:05:13,649 --> 00:05:16,600 Speaker 1: you know, that was a memorable time back then. Visitors 80 00:05:16,600 --> 00:05:20,279 Speaker 1: are reported to have become more active with energy saving 81 00:05:20,279 --> 00:05:24,160 Speaker 1: due to their visit to reduce, reuse, and recycle. So 82 00:05:24,160 --> 00:05:27,500 Speaker 1: the expo had impact on people's attitude and it's hoped 83 00:05:27,500 --> 00:05:29,910 Speaker 1: the coming expo will have an impact too. 84 00:05:30,269 --> 00:05:34,040 Speaker 1: And that was two decades ago, and now 20 years later, 85 00:05:34,130 --> 00:05:37,719 Speaker 1: you've been given a media preview of the 2025 edition. 86 00:05:38,130 --> 00:05:39,850 Speaker 1: What do you think people are going to be the 87 00:05:39,850 --> 00:05:42,719 Speaker 1: most excited about? Is there a centerpiece to all of this? 88 00:05:42,730 --> 00:05:44,410 Speaker 1: Is there a mammoth this year? 89 00:05:45,230 --> 00:05:48,309 Speaker 1: Well, let me give you a big picture of the 90 00:05:48,309 --> 00:05:53,750 Speaker 1: 2025 Osaka Expo. The main theme is designing future society 91 00:05:53,750 --> 00:05:57,339 Speaker 1: for our lives. Now, when you are there, you notice 92 00:05:57,339 --> 00:06:01,988 Speaker 1: a big wooden structure surrounding the expo sites called Grand Ring. 93 00:06:02,390 --> 00:06:06,170 Speaker 1: That's the centerpiece and it's regarded the world's biggest wooden 94 00:06:06,170 --> 00:06:10,829 Speaker 1: structure with a circumference of 2 kilometers. It's built using 95 00:06:10,829 --> 00:06:15,070 Speaker 1: Japan's traditional wood building technology, um, similar to that used 96 00:06:15,070 --> 00:06:18,230 Speaker 1: to build Kyomizu Temple in Kyoto, which is a World 97 00:06:18,230 --> 00:06:19,040 Speaker 1: Heritage site. 98 00:06:19,519 --> 00:06:22,079 Speaker 1: Now, if you walk under it, it can help shield 99 00:06:22,079 --> 00:06:25,950 Speaker 1: you from the rain and from the sweltering summer heat 100 00:06:25,950 --> 00:06:29,109 Speaker 1: in Osaka. You can walk on top of the ring, 101 00:06:29,119 --> 00:06:31,678 Speaker 1: and from there, not only can you catch a bird's 102 00:06:31,678 --> 00:06:34,779 Speaker 1: eye view of the expo site, you can see the 103 00:06:34,779 --> 00:06:39,238 Speaker 1: city of Osaka and all the way to the Pacific Ocean. Now, 104 00:06:39,250 --> 00:06:43,269 Speaker 1: media here highlight the planned display of an object from Mars. 105 00:06:43,678 --> 00:06:45,929 Speaker 1: It's believed to be part of a meteorite. 106 00:06:46,350 --> 00:06:50,959 Speaker 1: And it was discovered in Antarctica by Japanese who were 107 00:06:50,959 --> 00:06:55,219 Speaker 1: therefore on their expedition. And those who who remember the 108 00:06:55,220 --> 00:06:59,459 Speaker 1: 1970 Osaka Expo might recall seeing the rock of the moon, 109 00:06:59,640 --> 00:07:02,359 Speaker 1: you know, so the concept is kind of similar. We 110 00:07:02,359 --> 00:07:06,119 Speaker 1: are not still informed enough to be excited about the 111 00:07:06,119 --> 00:07:09,200 Speaker 1: whole expo, but we do know that there'll be Japan's 112 00:07:09,200 --> 00:07:10,739 Speaker 1: anime singer. 113 00:07:10,825 --> 00:07:14,595 Speaker 1: Ado, um, who will be part of the opening concert 114 00:07:14,595 --> 00:07:19,975 Speaker 1: we hear Osaka's local orchestra will perform often. A flying 115 00:07:19,975 --> 00:07:23,845 Speaker 1: car could be operated during the time we hear of 116 00:07:23,845 --> 00:07:28,484 Speaker 1: an AI support for those with uh visually impairment. 117 00:07:29,000 --> 00:07:33,160 Speaker 1: Including the exhibition of the most advanced medical and healthcare products. 118 00:07:33,279 --> 00:07:35,859 Speaker 1: There will be, you know, other than the anime singer, 119 00:07:36,079 --> 00:07:41,359 Speaker 1: actual anime, manga, Japan's dialects and dying language, including the 120 00:07:41,359 --> 00:07:44,559 Speaker 1: Ainu language and a wide variety of experiences. 121 00:07:44,769 --> 00:07:48,820 Speaker 1: and displays are expected and organizers hope visitors to the 122 00:07:48,820 --> 00:07:53,309 Speaker 1: 2025 Osaka Expo will go home thinking about how to 123 00:07:53,309 --> 00:07:58,230 Speaker 1: save lives, empower lives, and connect lives and those are 124 00:07:58,230 --> 00:08:00,350 Speaker 1: the sub themes of the expo. 125 00:08:00,600 --> 00:08:02,670 Speaker 1: Yeah, interesting you brought up I knew. I remember we 126 00:08:02,670 --> 00:08:07,079 Speaker 1: did a podcast on that, right? One of Japan's dying languages. Mitch, 127 00:08:07,320 --> 00:08:11,510 Speaker 1: as with any massive event, there are going to be challenges, 128 00:08:11,670 --> 00:08:15,309 Speaker 1: no exception here. One thing people are hung up on 129 00:08:15,309 --> 00:08:18,500 Speaker 1: is the ticket booking system. What's the big deal? 130 00:08:19,570 --> 00:08:23,230 Speaker 1: Well, 14 million tickets went on sale from the end 131 00:08:23,230 --> 00:08:27,510 Speaker 1: of November, but just a little more than half had 132 00:08:27,510 --> 00:08:30,459 Speaker 1: been purchased as of the end of January. 133 00:08:30,970 --> 00:08:35,400 Speaker 1: Now those uh tickets were purchased mainly by companies according 134 00:08:35,400 --> 00:08:40,169 Speaker 1: to reports. The problem seems to be the fact that 135 00:08:40,169 --> 00:08:44,169 Speaker 1: tickets are not open ended. You have to book a 136 00:08:44,169 --> 00:08:48,330 Speaker 1: specific date and time and actually I posed this ticket 137 00:08:48,330 --> 00:08:51,369 Speaker 1: issue to the secretary general of the international body of 138 00:08:51,369 --> 00:08:55,489 Speaker 1: the World Exposition, Mr. Dimitri Kurante. So let's hear from him. 139 00:08:55,969 --> 00:08:58,079 Speaker 1: It's true that people have to buy one and then 140 00:08:58,080 --> 00:09:01,070 Speaker 1: book a reservation slot, and that also could mean that 141 00:09:01,070 --> 00:09:04,549 Speaker 1: people are delaying their purchase until they're ready to book 142 00:09:04,549 --> 00:09:08,200 Speaker 1: that actual slot, whereas in previous expos you bought a ticket, 143 00:09:08,280 --> 00:09:11,080 Speaker 1: you went any day that you wanted. And adding to that, 144 00:09:11,159 --> 00:09:14,919 Speaker 1: I do hear that Osaka governor is demanding that the 145 00:09:14,919 --> 00:09:18,489 Speaker 1: organizers simplify the ticketing system. Otherwise, you know, it will 146 00:09:18,489 --> 00:09:21,349 Speaker 1: also be a big problem to the government of Osaka 147 00:09:21,349 --> 00:09:24,200 Speaker 1: who will have to perhaps handle the deficit if ticket 148 00:09:24,200 --> 00:09:25,000 Speaker 1: sales are bad. 149 00:09:25,849 --> 00:09:28,609 Speaker 1: I was also reading a news report from Japan that 150 00:09:28,609 --> 00:09:32,530 Speaker 1: described the Osaka World Expo as quote, an event that 151 00:09:32,530 --> 00:09:35,609 Speaker 1: few even want. That sounds pretty bad. What do you think? 152 00:09:35,650 --> 00:09:39,439 Speaker 1: What are locals telling you? Well, actually, you know, before 153 00:09:39,440 --> 00:09:43,718 Speaker 1: I went to Osaka to cover the Osaka Expo preview, 154 00:09:43,849 --> 00:09:45,809 Speaker 1: when I told my friends in Tokyo about it, they 155 00:09:45,809 --> 00:09:46,968 Speaker 1: were like, uh. 156 00:09:47,340 --> 00:09:50,010 Speaker 1: Is it actually happening? So that's the kind of reaction 157 00:09:50,010 --> 00:09:53,159 Speaker 1: you get in Tokyo, you know, there's not much interest. 158 00:09:53,450 --> 00:09:55,690 Speaker 1: They don't hear much about it. Then I thought, OK, 159 00:09:55,799 --> 00:09:58,809 Speaker 1: if I actually go to Osaka, the reactions, you know, 160 00:09:58,929 --> 00:10:01,369 Speaker 1: by the people there might be a little bit different 161 00:10:01,369 --> 00:10:03,729 Speaker 1: and we might be able to start a good conversation 162 00:10:03,729 --> 00:10:07,929 Speaker 1: on the excitement building up towards the Osaka Expo. So 163 00:10:07,929 --> 00:10:09,679 Speaker 1: I went there, asked around. 164 00:10:10,179 --> 00:10:13,500 Speaker 1: OK, let's hear a comment from an Okonomiyaki restaurant owner 165 00:10:13,500 --> 00:10:16,090 Speaker 1: Tomoharu Fukuda to hear what he says. 166 00:10:17,780 --> 00:10:21,409 Speaker 2: I do not yet feel any excitement or have any expectations. 167 00:10:21,619 --> 00:10:24,179 Speaker 2: I've never met anyone who said they wished to attend 168 00:10:24,179 --> 00:10:25,728 Speaker 2: or has purchased a ticket. 169 00:10:26,099 --> 00:10:30,820 Speaker 1: Well, and I've been speaking to other local residents and 170 00:10:30,820 --> 00:10:33,780 Speaker 1: out of all the residents I spoke to, just one 171 00:10:33,780 --> 00:10:37,179 Speaker 1: taxi driver told me that he's already bought tickets and is. 172 00:10:37,255 --> 00:10:41,765 Speaker 1: Encouraging fans to purchase tickets to support Osaka. The cost 173 00:10:41,765 --> 00:10:46,194 Speaker 1: to host the Expo is rising. Its initial budget was 174 00:10:46,195 --> 00:10:50,885 Speaker 1: 125 billion yen. It's now expected to double. And the 175 00:10:50,885 --> 00:10:53,166 Speaker 1: taxi driver said that he was afraid that, you know, 176 00:10:53,205 --> 00:10:56,005 Speaker 1: Osaka will have to carry the burden of the deficit 177 00:10:56,005 --> 00:10:59,366 Speaker 1: if people don't support. But if you actually look back 178 00:10:59,366 --> 00:11:03,736 Speaker 1: at past expos in Japan, excitement took time to build up. 179 00:11:04,046 --> 00:11:04,366 Speaker 1: This was. 180 00:11:04,442 --> 00:11:11,710 Speaker 1: The case in Osaka 1970, also IT 2005. The fundamental 181 00:11:11,711 --> 00:11:15,831 Speaker 1: problem currently is the limited information on what the visitors 182 00:11:15,831 --> 00:11:19,502 Speaker 1: can expect. But once the expo kicks off, the local 183 00:11:19,502 --> 00:11:24,142 Speaker 1: and international media are likely to cover extensively according to organizers, 184 00:11:24,151 --> 00:11:27,221 Speaker 1: and they think that ticket sales will start to pick up. Now, 185 00:11:27,231 --> 00:11:30,921 Speaker 1: the aim is to attract 28 million visitors during half 186 00:11:30,921 --> 00:11:31,511 Speaker 1: a year. 187 00:11:31,979 --> 00:11:34,739 Speaker 1: That seems to be modest figure when you compare it 188 00:11:34,739 --> 00:11:38,340 Speaker 1: to the 1970 Osaka, which in the end attracted more 189 00:11:38,340 --> 00:11:43,289 Speaker 1: than 64 million. And you know, that was a record breaker, 190 00:11:43,539 --> 00:11:48,609 Speaker 1: and that number was not broken until 2010 Shanghai Expo. 191 00:11:49,140 --> 00:11:52,059 Speaker 1: Here's the funny thing though, Japan, on the one hand, 192 00:11:52,179 --> 00:11:54,419 Speaker 1: they want to rev up tourism, they want to get 193 00:11:54,419 --> 00:11:56,539 Speaker 1: those visitor numbers up for the World Expo. 194 00:11:57,179 --> 00:12:00,669 Speaker 1: But on the other hand, over tourism has also become 195 00:12:00,669 --> 00:12:04,510 Speaker 1: a problem, particularly in the country's three most visited cities. 196 00:12:04,549 --> 00:12:08,609 Speaker 1: We're talking Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, ironically, the venue of 197 00:12:08,609 --> 00:12:11,949 Speaker 1: the World Expo. How bad is this over tourism in 198 00:12:11,950 --> 00:12:16,909 Speaker 1: the country, Michio? OK, well, I live in Tokyo and 199 00:12:16,909 --> 00:12:20,989 Speaker 1: it's pretty congested in the main part of Tokyo and 200 00:12:20,989 --> 00:12:23,109 Speaker 1: the main cities, but I've 201 00:12:23,314 --> 00:12:28,903 Speaker 1: Seen a horrible um footage of congestions in Kyoto going 202 00:12:28,903 --> 00:12:33,113 Speaker 1: viral on social media, so congested tours can't even move 203 00:12:33,114 --> 00:12:38,213 Speaker 1: off railway tracks, disrupting public transportation. In the past we've 204 00:12:38,213 --> 00:12:41,713 Speaker 1: been hearing of GEICO and Michael, which the international community 205 00:12:41,713 --> 00:12:45,203 Speaker 1: call a Geisha. They were being chased by tourists who 206 00:12:45,203 --> 00:12:48,263 Speaker 1: desire photos with them, but you know, GECO and Michael 207 00:12:48,263 --> 00:12:49,033 Speaker 1: is still professionals. 208 00:12:49,168 --> 00:12:51,756 Speaker 1: And it's they're not there for tourists, but they work 209 00:12:51,756 --> 00:12:55,997 Speaker 1: as Gateo and Michael at restaurants and offer services to 210 00:12:55,997 --> 00:13:00,067 Speaker 1: their customers and we do hear there are signs, um, 211 00:13:00,078 --> 00:13:03,668 Speaker 1: put out calling for a band of paparazzi in the area. 212 00:13:03,838 --> 00:13:07,797 Speaker 1: There's some local authorities deciding to put a huge shield 213 00:13:07,797 --> 00:13:11,557 Speaker 1: to cover the peak of Mount Fuji and Mount Fuji 214 00:13:11,557 --> 00:13:14,427 Speaker 1: has been attracting a lot of tourists the past few years. 215 00:13:15,171 --> 00:13:19,682 Speaker 1: Been overcrowding this convenience store known for its majestic view 216 00:13:19,682 --> 00:13:23,041 Speaker 1: of Mount Fuji. So that cover up of Mount Fuji 217 00:13:23,041 --> 00:13:25,681 Speaker 1: has been happening. But then I've, I've been hearing that 218 00:13:25,682 --> 00:13:28,961 Speaker 1: visitors have been piercing holes on that cover so that 219 00:13:28,961 --> 00:13:31,562 Speaker 1: they can get a shot of Mount Fuji. So well 220 00:13:31,562 --> 00:13:34,601 Speaker 1: that's still going on. And in Kamakura, which is the 221 00:13:34,601 --> 00:13:38,881 Speaker 1: old capital of Japan near Tokyo, there's a site with 222 00:13:38,881 --> 00:13:41,081 Speaker 1: a magnificent view of the sea. 223 00:13:41,184 --> 00:13:44,955 Speaker 1: And the railway, which was the model for a famous animation. 224 00:13:45,065 --> 00:13:48,684 Speaker 1: I think it was slum dunk. Tourists reported to be 225 00:13:48,684 --> 00:13:52,755 Speaker 1: blocking the roads there, the traffic and leaving litter. But then, 226 00:13:52,765 --> 00:13:55,765 Speaker 1: you know, I'm talking about all these negative impact of 227 00:13:55,765 --> 00:13:59,564 Speaker 1: over tourism. There's an area in Osaka which I saw 228 00:13:59,565 --> 00:14:03,885 Speaker 1: has revived due to the inbound tourism. So it's not 229 00:14:03,885 --> 00:14:06,486 Speaker 1: all bad, you know, with a lot of tourists coming 230 00:14:06,486 --> 00:14:07,074 Speaker 1: to Japan. 231 00:14:07,909 --> 00:14:11,400 Speaker 1: You don't necessarily want to discourage foreigners from visiting, but 232 00:14:11,400 --> 00:14:15,119 Speaker 1: you do want to safeguard the country's integrity and its 233 00:14:15,119 --> 00:14:18,320 Speaker 1: popularity as well. And one way is to make it 234 00:14:18,320 --> 00:14:20,309 Speaker 1: more expensive to travel to Japan. 235 00:14:20,750 --> 00:14:23,750 Speaker 1: Can you tell us how that's working? Tokyo was actually 236 00:14:23,750 --> 00:14:29,770 Speaker 1: the pioneer of slapping hotel tax since 2002. It's a 237 00:14:29,770 --> 00:14:34,590 Speaker 1: very small 100 yen for accommodation that costs 10,000 to 238 00:14:34,590 --> 00:14:38,429 Speaker 1: 15,000 yen a night, which is about maybe 70 to 239 00:14:38,429 --> 00:14:42,679 Speaker 1: 80 US cents, and 200 yen for above 15,000. 240 00:14:43,289 --> 00:14:48,450 Speaker 1: Now other Japanese cities and towns have decided to follow suit. Kyoto, 241 00:14:48,530 --> 00:14:53,049 Speaker 1: which is the extremely popular old capital, has decided to 242 00:14:53,049 --> 00:14:58,890 Speaker 1: set even higher hotel tax from March 2026. It's 10,000 yen, 243 00:14:59,130 --> 00:15:03,059 Speaker 1: maybe about $80 US dollars for accommodation fee of more 244 00:15:03,059 --> 00:15:04,710 Speaker 1: than 100,000 yen. 245 00:15:05,070 --> 00:15:08,710 Speaker 1: This is regardless of whether the person is uh from 246 00:15:08,710 --> 00:15:13,070 Speaker 1: Japan or a Japan resident or from overseas. Now what 247 00:15:13,070 --> 00:15:17,630 Speaker 1: Kyoto has done is it wants to prevent visitors from 248 00:15:17,630 --> 00:15:21,429 Speaker 1: um traveling commuter buses. There have been reports of residents 249 00:15:21,429 --> 00:15:24,710 Speaker 1: could not get on commuter buses to go to school 250 00:15:24,710 --> 00:15:26,950 Speaker 1: to work because of over tourism. 251 00:15:27,330 --> 00:15:30,450 Speaker 1: And uh tourists, you know, um carrying their huge luggage 252 00:15:30,450 --> 00:15:33,690 Speaker 1: on commuter buses. So there are now buses for tourists 253 00:15:33,690 --> 00:15:38,760 Speaker 1: traveling to tourist sites. As to another site in Himeji, 254 00:15:39,049 --> 00:15:42,609 Speaker 1: famous for Himeji Castle World Heritage sites, it wants to 255 00:15:42,609 --> 00:15:47,809 Speaker 1: raise admission fee from 1000 yen to maybe double or 256 00:15:47,809 --> 00:15:52,020 Speaker 1: triple from 2026 targeting non-Himeji residents. 257 00:15:52,770 --> 00:15:56,460 Speaker 1: Not as prefectural museums used to waive admission fee for 258 00:15:56,460 --> 00:15:59,919 Speaker 1: inbound tourists in hopes of attracting more from overseas, but 259 00:16:00,250 --> 00:16:04,770 Speaker 1: they plan now to charge everyone from this April. Now 260 00:16:04,770 --> 00:16:08,049 Speaker 1: local authorities will need some time to determine whether these 261 00:16:08,049 --> 00:16:11,450 Speaker 1: attempts will be effective to bring more funds to the 262 00:16:11,450 --> 00:16:15,770 Speaker 1: cities and not to discourage people from traveling to these areas. 263 00:16:16,039 --> 00:16:20,320 Speaker 1: Yeah, I was reading about tactics, not just monetary that 264 00:16:20,320 --> 00:16:22,630 Speaker 1: Japan has been trying out and this has actually been 265 00:16:22,630 --> 00:16:26,400 Speaker 1: going on for a decade or more. One strategy is diversion. 266 00:16:26,549 --> 00:16:29,109 Speaker 1: We're talking about getting tourists to head to maybe less 267 00:16:29,109 --> 00:16:33,830 Speaker 1: visited destinations, also straight up just banning tourists from certain 268 00:16:33,830 --> 00:16:37,270 Speaker 1: private alleys or areas where they cause a nuisance. What 269 00:16:37,270 --> 00:16:39,059 Speaker 1: has been the most effective do you think? 270 00:16:39,609 --> 00:16:43,919 Speaker 1: We have to really wait and see, but this Lunar 271 00:16:43,919 --> 00:16:47,890 Speaker 1: New Year, there seems to be some bright prospect in 272 00:16:47,890 --> 00:16:53,409 Speaker 1: diverting tourists other than to Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto, where 273 00:16:53,409 --> 00:16:56,770 Speaker 1: the concentration of tourists is so high. Now, according to 274 00:16:56,770 --> 00:16:59,049 Speaker 1: travel agent KK Day, which is 275 00:16:59,164 --> 00:17:02,275 Speaker 1: Based in Taiwan and Japan, they say that there's a 276 00:17:02,275 --> 00:17:06,114 Speaker 1: rising number of inbound tourists in particular from Taiwan, Hong Kong, 277 00:17:06,155 --> 00:17:11,114 Speaker 1: and Korea traveling to northeastern Japan or to Yamagata Miyagi 278 00:17:11,114 --> 00:17:14,954 Speaker 1: and even Fukushima, which many were in the past because 279 00:17:14,954 --> 00:17:18,784 Speaker 1: of the, you know, crippled nuclear plant be decommissioned there. 280 00:17:19,188 --> 00:17:22,078 Speaker 1: But you know, tourists seems to be attracted to the 281 00:17:22,388 --> 00:17:27,989 Speaker 1: mesmerizing snow we're seeing, playing in the snow, experiencing hot 282 00:17:27,989 --> 00:17:30,848 Speaker 1: springs and you know, that area is not so congested yet, 283 00:17:30,909 --> 00:17:34,148 Speaker 1: you know, compared to, for instance, Hokkaido or Nagano Prefecture 284 00:17:34,148 --> 00:17:36,029 Speaker 1: is known for hosting the winter. 285 00:17:36,449 --> 00:17:39,050 Speaker 1: Games in the past and we've been hearing that all 286 00:17:39,050 --> 00:17:44,050 Speaker 1: Nippon Airways is offering free domestic flights to travelers from China, 287 00:17:44,260 --> 00:17:49,609 Speaker 1: transiting in Japan to encourage them to travel to the countryside. So, uh, 288 00:17:49,619 --> 00:17:53,260 Speaker 1: you know, the attempts to divert travelers has started. 289 00:17:54,349 --> 00:17:58,419 Speaker 1: Post-pandemic tourism has surged, like we talked about off the top, 290 00:17:58,430 --> 00:18:02,010 Speaker 1: and Japanese officials say they have a long-term goal of 291 00:18:02,010 --> 00:18:05,560 Speaker 1: 60 million annual visitors by the year 2030. 292 00:18:06,099 --> 00:18:09,020 Speaker 1: Before we go, Michio, for those listening who may be 293 00:18:09,020 --> 00:18:12,099 Speaker 1: on their way to your country, maybe for the Osaka 294 00:18:12,099 --> 00:18:16,300 Speaker 1: World Expo, what can they do to be good tourists? Well, 295 00:18:16,380 --> 00:18:18,978 Speaker 1: you know, um, basically, the Japanese people like to follow 296 00:18:18,979 --> 00:18:22,819 Speaker 1: the rule. They want visitors to do the same. For instance, 297 00:18:22,920 --> 00:18:24,659 Speaker 1: you know, I've seen on social media. 298 00:18:24,770 --> 00:18:28,750 Speaker 1: Uh, residents hushing a foreign visitor talking on her mobile 299 00:18:28,750 --> 00:18:31,189 Speaker 1: phone on a commuter train, because you're not supposed to 300 00:18:31,189 --> 00:18:33,030 Speaker 1: talk on your phone on the commuter train. You have 301 00:18:33,030 --> 00:18:35,270 Speaker 1: to be, you know, I mean, you can chat, but 302 00:18:35,270 --> 00:18:38,780 Speaker 1: you know, with your friends, but they think it's a nuisance. 303 00:18:38,989 --> 00:18:41,989 Speaker 1: And even the train operators tell people on the trains, 304 00:18:42,280 --> 00:18:45,469 Speaker 1: don't talk on your phones. I've seen neighborhoods putting up 305 00:18:45,469 --> 00:18:48,708 Speaker 1: signs asking tourists not to drag their luggage on wheels 306 00:18:48,709 --> 00:18:52,550 Speaker 1: during bedtime. Now trash is another issue here in Japan. 307 00:18:53,079 --> 00:18:55,479 Speaker 1: In Tokyo, for instance, if you walk around, there are 308 00:18:55,479 --> 00:18:59,119 Speaker 1: limited trash bins. So the etiquette is to take waste 309 00:18:59,119 --> 00:19:02,040 Speaker 1: back with you. If you do um take back uh 310 00:19:02,040 --> 00:19:04,750 Speaker 1: waste with you, you have to separate them in your neighborhood, 311 00:19:04,800 --> 00:19:08,780 Speaker 1: you know, uh, whether they're pet bottles, cans, newspapers, magazines, 312 00:19:08,880 --> 00:19:13,800 Speaker 1: combustibles or non-combustibles. It's probably a nuisance to uh force visitors, 313 00:19:13,880 --> 00:19:15,900 Speaker 1: but that's how things work here in Japan. 314 00:19:16,359 --> 00:19:19,819 Speaker 1: And the Japanese in general don't like food wasted. If 315 00:19:19,819 --> 00:19:22,369 Speaker 1: you go to a buffet, they expected you to take 316 00:19:22,369 --> 00:19:26,020 Speaker 1: what you can finish. And you know, overall, good manners 317 00:19:26,020 --> 00:19:29,260 Speaker 1: is so important in this country. And having said that, 318 00:19:29,380 --> 00:19:33,689 Speaker 1: I have witnessed many foreign tourists here who are well mannered. 319 00:19:34,099 --> 00:19:37,899 Speaker 1: They are seen queuing politely in front of popular shops 320 00:19:37,900 --> 00:19:40,000 Speaker 1: and restaurants, enjoying Japan. 321 00:19:40,300 --> 00:19:43,030 Speaker 1: And it appears that many, you know, of those who 322 00:19:43,030 --> 00:19:47,380 Speaker 1: have been here before uh actually like how Japan is orderly, 323 00:19:47,630 --> 00:19:51,020 Speaker 1: and not so, you know, noisy, and so they're back. 324 00:19:51,270 --> 00:19:55,438 Speaker 1: And that's been the case of my many international friends 325 00:19:55,439 --> 00:19:58,819 Speaker 1: who visit me here in Tokyo or the rest of Japan. 326 00:19:59,089 --> 00:20:01,829 Speaker 1: And I hope you come and visit me someday, not 327 00:20:01,829 --> 00:20:06,310 Speaker 1: just once but twice, 3 times. I would love to. 328 00:20:06,430 --> 00:20:09,030 Speaker 1: It sounds like a beautiful country, one that I have 329 00:20:09,030 --> 00:20:12,000 Speaker 1: not explored thoroughly enough. Thank you for those great tips 330 00:20:12,000 --> 00:20:14,589 Speaker 1: as well and you know, talking about the Osaka World 331 00:20:14,589 --> 00:20:17,630 Speaker 1: Expo pavilions, they still need to be built, tickets still 332 00:20:17,630 --> 00:20:19,709 Speaker 1: need to be sold, but one thing's for sure, that 333 00:20:19,709 --> 00:20:21,829 Speaker 1: World Expo is going to be a big story for 334 00:20:21,829 --> 00:20:24,770 Speaker 1: Japan this year, and I'm really looking forward to your coverage, Michi. 335 00:20:24,949 --> 00:20:27,750 Speaker 1: Thank you so much. Thank you for having me, Teresa. 336 00:20:28,290 --> 00:20:30,959 Speaker 1: And a reminder to our listeners, you can find Mico's 337 00:20:30,959 --> 00:20:35,339 Speaker 1: reports on YouTube and also on CNA.Asia. There are TV 338 00:20:35,339 --> 00:20:39,180 Speaker 1: episodes of CNA Correspondent every Wednesday at 9:30 p.m. Singapore, 339 00:20:39,239 --> 00:20:42,719 Speaker 1: Hong Kong time. I'm Teresa Tang, and the team behind 340 00:20:42,719 --> 00:20:46,639 Speaker 1: this week's episode is Sai Yain, Clara Ong, Christina Robert, 341 00:20:46,719 --> 00:20:50,000 Speaker 1: and Craig Dale. A new episode drops next Wednesday. Join 342 00:20:50,000 --> 00:20:51,199 Speaker 1: us then. Bye for now.