Since 1990, the number of cruise ship passengers around the world has increased at a rate of about 7 percent annually -- from 4.5 million to approximately 20 million in 2012. Over 50 percent of this growth has occurred in the United States. While there is a corresponding increase in demand for cruise travel in Asia -- including in China -- the number of cruise ship passengers in Japan has remained relatively flat. How do we advance cruise travel in Japan in the midst of a cruise travel boom?

In this workshop, JITI heard from cruise and tourism industry experts from the United States and Japan. They will look at future prospects for the U.S. and Japanese cruise industries. Please join us for this interesting discussion about the cruise business, and how Japan can leverage demand to boost the nation's tourism industry.