Japan's Resumption of Accepting Foreigners as a Sign of Recovery from the COVID Pandemic Japan's Resumption of Accepting Foreigners as a Sign of Recovery from the Coronavirus Pandemic By Tetsuhiro Hagiwara On October 11, 2022, the Japanese government drastically eased border control measures (entry requirements) and reopened visa-free entry to Japan for visitors from 68 countries and regions. In a delay of several months after similar measures were relaxed in Europe, the U.S., and other countries around the world, Japan’s ban preventing foreign travelers entering the country was finally lifted. In Japan, there are daily upbeat news reports such as "foreigners are rushing to Japan because of the weak yen" and "foreign tourists are buying explosively again". In this issue, I would like to focus on the resumption of accepting foreign visitors to Japan, which could be a catalyst for the Japanese economy to finally turn upward after the long, long tunnel of the Coronavirus pandemic. 1. Relaxation of border control measures (entry requirements) by the Japanese government First, let us review the entry requirements into Japan as of the end of October 2022. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ website, “After midnight on October 11, 2022 (Japan Standard Time), all returnees and entrants to Japan, with the exception of those with symptoms of suspected infection with the coronavirus, will not, in principle, be subject to inspection upon entry, and will not be required to wait at home or in accommodation after entering Japan, to follow up during the waiting period, or to refrain from using public transportation. In principle, no inspection will be conducted at the time of entry for all returnees and entrants, except for those with symptoms. However, all returnees and entrants shall be required to submit either a certificate of vaccination (3 doses) with a vaccine listed on the World Health Organization's Emergency Use List or a certificate with a negative result of a test taken within 72 hours prior to departure from the country.” (Image source: NHK) Since March of this year, when the corona outbreak was under control, the Japanese government has gradually eased restrictions on the entry of foreigners, resuming the admission of tourists in June for group travel only, and in September, raising the daily limit to 50,000. However, due to persistent requests from various quarters for the resumption of individual travel and visa-free visits to Japan, the situation has finally returned to a level close to what it was before the Coronavirus pandemic. As a result, the cap of 50,000 daily visitors has been lifted, individual travelers are now accepted, and those entering Japan for tourism purposes from outside the country are exempted from obtaining the short-stay visas that they were seeking, bringing them in line with the entry requirements of Europe, the U.S., and other countries around the world. In comparison to before the Coronavirus pandemic, a certificate with a negative test result within 72 hours of travel is still required for "those who have not received three doses of the vaccine." However, considering the fact that approximately 70% of the world's population has been vaccinated at least once, it can be said that the hurdle has been lowered considerably for travelers planning to visit Japan. The Japanese government has stated that it will continue to require all visitors returning to or entering Japan to present a certificate of three vaccinations or a negative PCR test result within 72 hours prior to departure from Japan. The U.S. and Japan are the only G7 countries that have introduced this measure, and both governments will consider easing the measure after assessing the state of infections domestically and overseas, and the response of other countries. At a post-cabinet press conference on October 18, Digital Minister Taro Kono announced that “Visit Japan Web,” a web-based support site that enables foreign tourists visiting Japan and Japanese nationals returning from overseas to complete quarantine, customs, and other procedures necessary for entry into Japan online, will be integrated with the “MY (My SOS)” (Confirmation of the Health and Whereabouts of the Swine Flu) function, which allows registration of vaccination certificates and negative testimonies for entry requirements against new-coronavirus infection, on November 1. (As part of efforts to unify online pre-entry procedures, MY SOS will cease to be offered on November 14). Some of the information entered so far is common information, such as passport details and date of return, and the integration will reduce the number of times for entering that information and improve convenience. At the press conference, Minister Kono said, "The Visit Japan Web will allow you to complete the necessary (web-based) procedures for entry into Japan. We want to make sure that you enter all the necessary information before you arrive so that you can pass smoothly through the airport". 2. Foreign visitors to Japan enjoying "Cool Japan" and "Cheap Japan” Now, as mentioned above, the hurdle for foreigners to visit Japan has finally been lowered. In Japan, it is reported every day that the number of foreign tourists is increasing in popular tourist destinations such as Tokyo and Osaka. Increasing number of foreign tourists in various places, including tourist destinations "Many foreign tourists in various locations" （Image source: ANN NEWS) Foreign tourists touring Tokyo A woman from Chile- "I really wanted to come to Japan. I feel like I have fulfilled my dream." (Image source: ANN NEWS） Tourists from Denmark listening to a guide in front of Sensoji Temple Regarding the wearing of masks, "The travel agency explained to us in advance that they require strict adherence to the rules for wearing masks in Japan, and we agreed with them before coming on the trip," they said.（Image source: NEWS Post Seven） Some enjoy shopping with the weak yen A couple from Israel Compared to other countries, Japan is cheap and we are very happy." （Image source: ANN NEWS) Foreign man shopping for anime goods in Akihabara “I'm happy with affordable prices because of the weak yen!” （Image source: Nippon Television Network NEWS） 3. Japanese government's intention to aim for 5 trillion yen in tourism consumption per year and expectations from the economic community I would like to share the Japanese government's expectations for inbound consumption and the industry's reaction to the recent significant easing of entry requirements. Before the Coronavirus pandemic, a record 31.88 million foreign travelers visited Japan in 2019. Inbound spending amounted to approximately 4.8 trillion yen annually, bringing significant economic benefits to the metropolitan area and tourist destinations. However, from the start of the pandemic in March 2020, the Japanese government began gradually strengthening its border control measures, and the number of inbound visitors to Japan plummeted to 4.11 million in 2020 and 240,000 in 2021, with the tourism industry still suffering a major blow. Japan continues to have the strictest entry restrictions among the G7 countries, and was in the process of receiving requests from various countries for the resumption of tourism for individuals. As for the Japanese government's intention, Prime Minister Kishida stated in his policy speech in early October that "Japan is a country that has prospered through the free flow of people, goods, and money to and from the rest of the world. With the weak yen and other factors as a backdrop, we would like to achieve an annual inbound consumption exceeding 5 trillion yen, which is more than the amount before the Coronavirus pandemic". With the recent drastic easing of entry requirements, the government intends to resume full-scale tourism. The Japanese government has also announced its intention to formulate a new plan to become a "tourism-oriented nation" by the end of this fiscal year, with the perspective of hosting the Osaka-Kansai World Expo in 2025. Nomura Research Institute estimates that the economic impact of the increase in the number of visitors to Japan will be 2.1 trillion yen in 2023. And SMBC Nikko Securities forecasts that inbound spending will regain its pre-COVID momentum by the end of 2024, taking into account the effect of the yen's depreciation, and is expecting a resurgence of explosive buying by visitors to Japan against the backdrop of the historically weak yen. The response of the economic community to the government's action has, of course, been positive, with airlines, whose business performance had been severely affected by the previous border control measures, seeing a sharp increase in bookings for international flights from overseas to Japan immediately after easing of the ban was announced. JAL (Japan Airlines) (Expressing support for the easing of entry requirements) "We want to be well prepared to welcome our customers and contribute to the recovery of the Japanese economy." ANA (All Nippon Airways), President Inoue "We are very pleased with the long-awaited deregulation. The economic impact of visitors to Japan before the Coronavirus pandemic was approximately 5 trillion yen, and we expect to see a recovery of the same scale. (Also, regarding the resumption of visa-free individual tourism) I believe that many people who have not been able to visit Japan for a long time will be able to come to Japan from now on. We expect to see an increase in demand not only for urban tourism, but also for regional tourism." Narita International Airport Corporation, President Tamura "The reason why the number of international arrivals and departures has not increased is because of Japan's strict entry requirements, so we are very grateful for the easing [or requirements]. I think it will take one or two months to see the actual effect. We will watch with anticipation whether demand for air travel will recover from the year-end and New Year holidays." Conclusion With the recent drastic relaxation of entry requirements, there are high expectations for inbound consumption by foreign visitors to Japan as a catalyst for Japan's economic recovery, but a look at reactions overseas reveals that foreign visitors' mindsets are not necessarily favorable. The Washington Post (U.S.A.), in an article titled "Japan is reopening. But the effects of its border closure will linger," pointed out the following. "Japan strictly limits foreign arrivals out of covid-19 concerns, a scientifically specious approach that has made the country an outlier among top economies and most Asia-Pacific neighbors that have reopened to tourists. Xenophobia has festered as policymakers and news coverage have tied foreigners to the spread of the virus. Investors, academics and international students have diverted their plans elsewhere. Even after Japan began accepting group tours recently, the intense monitoring and bureaucratic hurdles have largely kept tourists’ interest at bay. Now, Japan faces a credibility gap as it looks to rejoin the world. Figures in business, academia, policymaking and diplomacy are concerned the closure has punctured Japan’s image as a culture that values hospitality. Even with a full reopening, Japan would need concrete steps to restore its standing." Also, Chinese tourists, who were the main source of demand and inbound consumption in Japan before the Coronavirus pandemic, spending approximately 9.5 million in 2019, are expected to take a certain amount of time to return to Japan as overseas travel is still heavily restricted under the Chinese government's strong "Zero Corona Policy." The International Air Transport Association (IATA) forecasts that the number of world travelers will exceed the pre-COVID level by 103% in 2024 compared to 2019, but only 97% will be in from the Asia-Pacific region, and it will be 2025 before the number exceeds pre-COVID levels. In the Asia-Pacific region, the recovery is expected to be delayed in China, where restrictions have not been eased. Other reasons for why the number of foreign visitors to Japan and inbound demand is unlikely to return to 2019 levels all at once, according to Nomura Research Institute, include the current high rate of new infections in Japan compared to other countries and the fact that many countries will refrain from overseas travel if the global economy slows in the future due to soaring prices and tightening monetary policies. However, we should learn from the experiences and measure outcomes of Europe and the U.S., which have been ahead of other countries in restoring borders and accepting foreigners during the coronavirus pandemic, and look forward to future trends to revive "Japan, the land of hospitality" that attract tourists from all over the world, while meanwhile balancing preventing the spread of infection and recovering inbound travel. References: Ministry of Foreign Affairs https://www.mofa.go.jp/p_pd/pds/page22e_000910.html Japan Tourism Agency https://www.mlit.go.jp/kankocho/en/shisaku/kokusai/traveltojapan.html NHK News https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/special/coronavirus/restrictions/detail/detail_95.html The Washington Post https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/09/16/japan-covid-restrictions-tourist-xenophobia/ Nomura Research Institute https://www.nri.com/jp/knowledge/blog/lst/2022/fis/kiuchi/1006 Global Outlook for Air Transport Times of Turbulence - IATA https://www.iata.org/en/iata-repository/publications/economic-reports/airline-industry-economic-performance---june-2022---report/#:~:text=The%20financial%20recovery%20will%20continue,from%20our%20end%2D2021%20forecast.&text=all%20regions%20in%202022%2C%20with,return%20to%20profitability%20this%20year Image Resources https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbah4XUIQco https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Be4jom6WZQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rp_sQw9T954 Back to All JITTI Journals November 2022 Feature Article

High Speed Rail Seminar in California January 14, 2011 The Omni Los Angeles Hotel at California Plaza 251 South Olive St., LA, CA HOSTED BY: Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT), Japan Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), Japan Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), Japan Institution for Transport Policy Studies (ITPS), Japan (now JTTRI) Japan International Transport Institute (JITI) Council for Global Promotion of Railway, Japan Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) Seminar Overview In January 2010, President Obama announced an allocation of $8 billion granted as federal funds to help turn the U.S. vision of high speed rail (HSR) into reality. The distributed funds, to which $2.4 billion were added in October, will be used for the development of HSR which has proven to be an effective, energy-efficient way to move large numbers of people quickly over long distances. The goal of this seminar in Los Angeles is to demonstrate how Japan’s 46 years of experience in HSR operation can contribute toward developing HSR network projects in California. In this half day seminar, leaders in the Japanese transportation field will introduce technology and operational experience about HSR. Topics also include a financial scheme for introducing HSR systems to the U.S. as well as economic benefits derived from HSR, such as job creation and regional development. Seminar Program Agenda Exhibition Panel displays & DVD presentations on Japanese HSR Opening Remarks Sumio Mabuchi Minister, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (Vice-Minister Masafumi Shukuri, MLIT, representing Minister Mabuchi) Bio Presenation Ichiro Fujisaki Ambassador of Japan to the United States Bio Presentation Satoshi Seino Acting Chairman, Council for Global Promotion of Railway and President/ CEO, JR-East Bio Kenichi Fukaya Vice-Chairman, ITPS Bio Keynote Remarks Norman Y. Mineta Former Secretary of Transportation and Vice Chairman, Hill & Knowlton Bio Antonio Villaraigosa Mayor, Los Angeles Bio Jim Costa U.S. Congressman, California 20th District Bio Laura Richardson U.S. Congresswoman, California 37th District Bio Fiona Ma State Assembly member, Speaker pro tempore, California 12th District Bio Cathleen Galgiani State Assembly member, California 17th District Bio Warren Furutani State Assembly member, California 55th District Bio Roelof van Ark CEO, California High-Speed Rail Authority Bio Presentation Presentations Yuki Tanaka Director, International Affairs Office, JITI "Regional Developments through HSR Projects" Bio Presentation Satoshi Seino President and CEO, East Japan Railway Company (JR-East) "Operator Proposal: Realization of the HSR Project and Maximization of its Economic Impact" Presentation Tsutomu Morimura Senior Executive Director, Central Japan Railway Company (JR-Central) "Introduction of Safe and Efficient N700-I bullet System, and Countermeasures against Derailment during Earthquake" Bio Presentation Toshihiko Aoyagi Director General, Railway Operations HQ, Kyushu Railway Company (JR-Kyushu) "Efforts to Maximize the Effects of HSR" Bio Presentation Yoshinori Kanehana Executive Officer/VP, Rolling Stock Company, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. "Railcar Manufacturer Proposals: High Speed Train Technology and Contributions to the US Society" Bio Presentation

JITTI Journal May 2020 Back to All JITTI Journals May 2020 Feature Article The Adverse Influence of the Coronavirus on the Shipping Sector by Yasuhiro Okamoto 1. The Adverse Influence of the Coronavirus on the Shipping Sector  The spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has made a massive impact on almost every sector of the economy and, without exception, the shipping industry has also been in the middle of economic turbulence. According to the media, container traffic at China’s biggest ports (Shenzhen, Shanghai, Ningbo, Guangzhou, Xiamen, Tianjin, Dalian, and Qingdao) fell for two weeks in a row in early April after a drop in overseas orders for the nation’s exports [Leng, 2020] The causes for decreased container traffic were that many companies started cutting back orders and postponing the delivery of goods due to the coronavirus, and shipping companies also reduced their capacities. For example, Ocean Network Express has announced revised schedules since February to mitigate the impacts of the pandemic. 2. The Situation of the Port of Los Angeles Like China’s main ports, the Port of Los Angeles is the busiest in the US by both container volume and cargo value. However, while it has faced a similar situation to China, the Port of Los Angeles has also encountered other unfavorable circumstances around container traffic at their port. The table below shows the container counts (TEUs) for the Port of Los Angeles, which were last recorded in March. As we can easily imagine, the total volume of containers in March largely decreased compared to the previous year. In particular, containers to the Port of Los Angeles from nations in the Pacific Ocean and from China account for the biggest portion of reduced shipments. The Chinese government has introduced various preventive measures to suppress the expansion of coronavirus, and has also slowed down economic activity. In April, there were signs of economic recovery in China, and factories restarted operations and resumed exporting goods. On the other hand, because of the coronavirus pandemic in the US, city lockdowns and curfews have led to closures of freight warehouses, and freights have been left without being picked up at these locations. Additionally, in conjunction with the decline of shipping capacity, empty containers have piled up without being returned to Asia (China). Therefore, the Port of Los Angeles has overflowed with uncollected and empty containers 3. The Issue of Cost Burden Another significant issue caused by the coronavirus for the shipping industry is determining who shall bear the additional cost to vessels from quarantine restrictions or delays while waiting for port authorities to grant clearance to enter port. Many owners of cargo vessels have now asserted that the force majeure clause is applicable in cases of detention or delay of cargo caused by the coronavirus. Consequently, owners of cargo vessels and shipping companies have entered into severe disputes. To avoid this, Japan P&I Club has recommended to include infectious disease clauses that are comprehensive and clearly allocate rights and responsibilities in the event of an outbreak to Time and Voyage Charterparties, which have been produced by BIMCO (Baltic and International Maritime Council). 4. Comments The cost of freight cargo shipments has not changed much from February to March, and it’s clear that the decline in freight capacity has contributed these locked rates. Additionally, the issue of empty containers in many ports may be a potential hindrance for a smooth recovery of the global economy. Also, as I mentioned before, owners of cargo ships have faced an increase of container storage and drayage costs. Furthermore, owners must negotiate with shipping companies to share costs caused by the delay. We may see harmful repercussions of these issues reflected in our economic activities. References Leng, S. (2020, 4 15). Coronavirus: container traffic at China’s top eight ports plunges in early April as pandemic hits overseas orders. Retrieved from South China Morning Post: https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3080041/coronavirus-container-traffic-chinas-top-eight-ports-plunges  The Port of Los Angeles. (2020, 4 10). Container Statistics . Retrieved from https://www.portoflosangeles.org/business/statistics/container-statistics

The Current Use of Metropolitan Airports during the First Summer Vacation after the COVID Pandemic and the Latest Initiatives at These Airports < Back Dear Friends of JITTI USA, My name is Kazuya Fukuhara. I have been appointed as a Senior Representative of JITTI USA since mid-July this year. I would like to thank you all for your continued understanding and support of JITTI USA's activities. Today, I would like to briefly introduce myself, and I hope this will help you to become familiar with and interested in JITTI USA's activities. Before arriving at JITTI USA, I worked for the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT). At the MLIT, I have worked on policy and regulatory development in a wide range of fields, including aviation, housing, roads, and maritime security. I was also seconded to the Tourism Division of Kyoto City Office for three years, where I planned strategies about inbound tourism and over-tourism measures. Most recently, I was assigned to the Japan Coast Guard (JCG), where I was involved in policy compilation for the entire JCG and correspondence with the Diet. As the global security environment becomes increasingly severe, JCG is playing an increasingly important role in the security field. I was deeply involved in the discussions that set the direction for the future of the JCG, including the formulation of the policy for strengthening coast guard capabilities, taking into account the discussions on the National Security Strategy compiled at the end of last year. I myself am interested in international work and have been involved in policy formulation for infrastructure exports and other projects in the international department of MLIT, as well as having had the opportunity to study public policy at the University of Chicago. So, I am very grateful for the opportunity to work at JITTI USA. Although JITTI USA is a small organization, I am responsible for its overall management, as well as planning and coordinating events such as symposiums and conducting research in areas such as aviation. I am learning every day about the differences in overseas transportation systems that arise from background circumstances such as history, culture, geography, and religion in other countries, and I find it very interesting to work in this field. In my personal life, I currently live with my wife and three-year-old son. My wife and I have lived in Chicago before, but this is my son's first time living abroad. Sometimes it pains me to hear my son says that he wants to go back to Japan, but recently he has been saying this less and less, and he seems to be getting used to life here. The parks here have a wide variety of playground equipment, which my son likes very much, and it is becoming a habit for him to visit a new park every weekend. If you see us at the park, please feel free to contact us. Last but not least, I would very much appreciate your continued support for JITTI's activities. I would also be happy to exchange ideas and opinions with you personally and with everyone who reads this journal. Sincerely, Kazuya Fukuhara

JITTI Journal July 2021 Back to All JITTI Journals July 2021 Feature Article Activities of Chinese Government Ships around the Senkaku Islands and the Japan Coast Guard's Response by Yasuhiro Okamoto 1. Senkaku Islands Japan's territorial integrity after World War II was legally established in the San Francisco Peace Treaty, which came into effect in 1952. Under the treaty, the Senkaku Islands were not included in the territories abandoned by Japan, but were placed under the administration of the United States as part of Japan's Nansei Islands. Later, in 1972, the Okinawa Reversion Agreement between Japan and the United States regarding the Ryukyu Islands and the Daito Islands included the Senkaku Islands in the area returned to Japan. These facts indicate that the Senkaku Islands are Japanese territory. The Senkaku Islands have been consistently treated as Japan's territory in the postwar order and international law system. A map of the Senkaku Islands (Cited from Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs) 2. China's Movements over the Senkaku Islands On May 7, 2008, during their official visit to Japan, President Hu Jintao and Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda signed a joint statement between the Government of Japan and the Government of China to comprehensively promote the “Mutually Beneficial Relationship based on Common Strategic Interests,” recognizing that Japan-China relations are one of the most important bilateral relations for both countries and that they have great influence and a solemn responsibility for the peace, stability and development of the Asia-Pacific region and the world. However, six months later, on December 8th of the same year, two Chinese government ships suddenly intruded Japan’s territorial waters around the Senkaku Islands for the first time, and despite repeated requests from the Japan Coast Guard patrol vessels to leave and protests through diplomatic channels, they wandered and drifted into Japanese territorial waters for about nine hours until the evening of that same day. China's new stance on the Senkaku Islands, in which Chinese government ships navigate with the clear intention of infringing on Japan's sovereignty and attempt to change the status quo by force, has become clear. The collision of Chinese fishing vessels (Image Source: Jiji Press Ltd.) After the collision of Chinese fishing vessels in Japanese territorial waters around the Senkaku Islands on September 7, 2010, Chinese government ships began to sail in the waters around the Senkaku Islands with greater frequency than before, and there were incidents of two vessels intruding into Japanese territorial waters around the Senkaku Islands in August 2011, one in March 2012, and four in July of the same year. In addition, on September 11, 2012, Japan transferred ownership of three of the Senkaku Islands from private citizens to the State under civil law, and on and after September 14, 2012, Chinese government ships began to enter the connected waters almost every day except for days with stormy weather. On December 22, 2015, it was confirmed for the first time that Chinese government ships, which were clearly equipped with a machine gun, entered the EEZ, and since December 26, there have also been incursions into territorial waters. China’s provocation have been escalating, as the chart below shows. The numbers of Chinese government and other vessels that have entered Japan's contiguous zone or intruded into the territorial sea surrounding the Senkaku Islands The numbers of Chinese government and other vessels that have entered Japan's contiguous zone or intruded into the territorial sea surrounding the Senkaku Islands (Cited from Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs) 3. Actions and Efforts of the Japan Coast Guard In 2016, the Japanese government decided on the "Policy on Strengthening the Coast Guard System," and based on this ruling, it has been making steady efforts to enhance and strengthen the ability of the Japan Coast Guard. The commandant of the Japan Coast Guard announced that in the budget for the fiscal year 2021 the government will continue to upgrade large patrol vessels and other equipment for guarding the Senkaku territorial waters. In addition, in order to secure and develop human resources, the Japan Coast Guard will expand their education and training facilities, including the construction of a large training ship for Japan Coast Guard trainees, and promote initiatives to maintain and strengthen maritime order, such as contributing to the capacity building activities in related countries. Lastly, the situation around the Senkaku Islands continues to be tense, with Chinese government ships attempting to interfere with Japanese fishing boats fishing in the area. Therefore, it will be important for the Japan Coast Guard to continue to respond appropriately and for the US and other like-minded countries to work together to deal with China against their attempts of changing the status quo by force. Image Sources: Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Jiji Press Ltd.

JITTI Journal Cultural Article November 2023 Back to All JITTI Journals November 2023 Cultural Article The Kumano Kodo: A Historic Pilgrimage in the Japanese Mountainside by Suzannah Nevas The Kumano Kodo is a network of historical pilgrimage routes through the beautiful mountains of the Kii Peninsula in the southern Kansai area of Japan. These scenic and sacred trails have been traversed for over 1000 years, making the Kumano Kodo one of only two pilgrimage routes to be recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Markers along the path of the Kumano Kodo The Kumano Sanzan The heart of the Kumano Kodo was formed by ancient pilgrimages to the three main Kumano shrines: Kumano Hongu Taisha, Kumano Hayatama Taisha, and Kumano Nachi Taisha. These three shrines are collectively called the Kumano Sanzan. Kumano Hongu Taisha Kumano Hongu Taisha is the northernmost of the three, and acts as the head shrine for the over 300 Kumano Shrines located throughout Japan. Due to flooding in 1889, the shrine was moved 1 km away to higher ground (get ready to climb 158 steps!) and now the original site of the shrine, Oyu no Hara, boasts the world’s largest torii (gate), a towering 33m picture frame to the surrounding rice paddies. Kumano Hayatama Taisha Kumano Hayatama Taisha lies to the southeast, in today’s coastal town of Shingu City. The shrine structures have been built and rebuilt in this location since at least the 12th century, but religious artifacts found in the area date back as far as the 3rd century. The shrine compound is home to two sacred ties to nature: the rock where the Kumano deities are said to have first touched down onto earth, and an Asian Bayberry tree estimated to be over 1000 years old. Kumano Nachi Taisha Kumano Nachi Taisha might be the most accessible of the three grand shrines. Travelers who are short on time or encumbered by stairs will appreciate the parking lot just next to the nearby Seigantoji Temple, accessible by car. However, if you are up for the hike, the Daimonzaka Slope trail will lead you to Nachi Taisha through a forest of breath-taking, centuries-old cedar trees. The ascent climaxes at the front gate of Nachi Taisha, with an incredible mountainous vista. Pass through the gate and you will see a sacred camphor tree- over 850 years old. You can actually go inside the tree- a truly magical experience! The sacred camphor tree (left) and other sites along the Kumano Kodo Other Points of Interest Beyond the Kumano Sanzan “big three”, there are many other sacred and noteworthy sites to explore. Just a short distance from the Nachi Tasha shrine complex, you will find Seigantoji’s iconic, red vermillion 3-story pagoda scenically framing Nachi Waterfall –the tallest single-tiered waterfall in all of Japan! There are several places from which you can view the sacred falls, and there is even an option to pay a small fee to drink the holy water which is said to promote health and longevity. The Kohechi route heading north out of the Hongu Taisha area will take you to Mount Koya, home of Kongobuji, the head temple of the Shingon sect of Buddhism. There are over 100 temples on Mount Koya, and nearly half of them offer shokubo - temple lodging. These temple lodges offer a unique first-hand experience of buddhist monastery life and are very popular with vegetarian tourists, as an overnight stay includes shojin ryori- the traditional, meatless cuisine of Budhist monks. Tucked away in the folds of the mountains are several onsen towns worth visiting. After a long day of hiking, have a stay at one of the family-operated, Japanese-style bed and breakfasts ( minshuku) and enjoy the healing power of the natural hot spring water. Yunomine Onsen, near Hongu Taisha is colloquially called “Japan’s Oldest Spa”, and the long history of its bath, Tsuboyu has earned it the designation of being a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Seigantoji Tips for Planning Your Trip It’s important to note that the Kumano Kodo is by no means a linear route- its a network of paths, almost like a choose-your-own-adventure book. You can start anywhere and end anywhere, go in any order, and seek or skip any site that you so desire. You may wish to backpack for a week, or send your luggage ahead and take trains and buses to major destinations to cherry-pick a few scenic sections of the trails to walk. Whether you identify as a pilgrim or a tourist, it might be impossible to wander these sacred paths without recognizing and appreciating something spiritual and moving, permeating the beautiful nature. Sources https://www.hongu.jp/ https://www.tb-kumano.jp/en/kumano-kodo/ https://www.shinguu.jp/en/kumanokodo1 https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4952.html https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/hiking-the-kumano-kodo-japans-ancient-pilgrimage-route

JITTI Journal November 2022 Back to All JITTI Journals November 2022 Feature Article Japan's Resumption of Accepting Foreigners as a Sign of Recovery from the Coronavirus Pandemic By Tetsuhiro Hagiwara On October 11, 2022, the Japanese government drastically eased border control measures (entry requirements) and reopened visa-free entry to Japan for visitors from 68 countries and regions. In a delay of several months after similar measures were relaxed in Europe, the U.S., and other countries around the world, Japan’s ban preventing foreign travelers entering the country was finally lifted. In Japan, there are daily upbeat news reports such as "foreigners are rushing to Japan because of the weak yen" and "foreign tourists are buying explosively again". In this issue, I would like to focus on the resumption of accepting foreign visitors to Japan, which could be a catalyst for the Japanese economy to finally turn upward after the long, long tunnel of the Coronavirus pandemic. 1. Relaxation of border control measures (entry requirements) by the Japanese government First, let us review the entry requirements into Japan as of the end of October 2022. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ website, “After midnight on October 11, 2022 (Japan Standard Time), all returnees and entrants to Japan, with the exception of those with symptoms of suspected infection with the coronavirus, will not, in principle, be subject to inspection upon entry, and will not be required to wait at home or in accommodation after entering Japan, to follow up during the waiting period, or to refrain from using public transportation. In principle, no inspection will be conducted at the time of entry for all returnees and entrants, except for those with symptoms. However, all returnees and entrants shall be required to submit either a certificate of vaccination (3 doses) with a vaccine listed on the World Health Organization's Emergency Use List or a certificate with a negative result of a test taken within 72 hours prior to departure from the country.” (Image source: NHK) Since March of this year, when the corona outbreak was under control, the Japanese government has gradually eased restrictions on the entry of foreigners, resuming the admission of tourists in June for group travel only, and in September, raising the daily limit to 50,000. However, due to persistent requests from various quarters for the resumption of individual travel and visa-free visits to Japan, the situation has finally returned to a level close to what it was before the Coronavirus pandemic. As a result, the cap of 50,000 daily visitors has been lifted, individual travelers are now accepted, and those entering Japan for tourism purposes from outside the country are exempted from obtaining the short-stay visas that they were seeking, bringing them in line with the entry requirements of Europe, the U.S., and other countries around the world. In comparison to before the Coronavirus pandemic, a certificate with a negative test result within 72 hours of travel is still required for "those who have not received three doses of the vaccine." However, considering the fact that approximately 70% of the world's population has been vaccinated at least once, it can be said that the hurdle has been lowered considerably for travelers planning to visit Japan. The Japanese government has stated that it will continue to require all visitors returning to or entering Japan to present a certificate of three vaccinations or a negative PCR test result within 72 hours prior to departure from Japan. The U.S. and Japan are the only G7 countries that have introduced this measure, and both governments will consider easing the measure after assessing the state of infections domestically and overseas, and the response of other countries. At a post-cabinet press conference on October 18, Digital Minister Taro Kono announced that “Visit Japan Web,” a web-based support site that enables foreign tourists visiting Japan and Japanese nationals returning from overseas to complete quarantine, customs, and other procedures necessary for entry into Japan online, will be integrated with the “MY (My SOS)” (Confirmation of the Health and Whereabouts of the Swine Flu) function, which allows registration of vaccination certificates and negative testimonies for entry requirements against new-coronavirus infection, on November 1. (As part of efforts to unify online pre-entry procedures, MY SOS will cease to be offered on November 14). Some of the information entered so far is common information, such as passport details and date of return, and the integration will reduce the number of times for entering that information and improve convenience. At the press conference, Minister Kono said, "The Visit Japan Web will allow you to complete the necessary (web-based) procedures for entry into Japan. We want to make sure that you enter all the necessary information before you arrive so that you can pass smoothly through the airport". 2. Foreign visitors to Japan enjoying "Cool Japan" and "Cheap Japan” Now, as mentioned above, the hurdle for foreigners to visit Japan has finally been lowered. In Japan, it is reported every day that the number of foreign tourists is increasing in popular tourist destinations such as Tokyo and Osaka. Increasing number of foreign tourists in various places, including tourist destinations "Many foreign tourists in various locations" （Image source: ANN NEWS) Foreign tourists touring Tokyo A woman from Chile- "I really wanted to come to Japan. I feel like I have fulfilled my dream." (Image source: ANN NEWS） Tourists from Denmark listening to a guide in front of Sensoji Temple Regarding the wearing of masks, "The travel agency explained to us in advance that they require strict adherence to the rules for wearing masks in Japan, and we agreed with them before coming on the trip," they said.（Image source: NEWS Post Seven） Some enjoy shopping with the weak yen A couple from Israel Compared to other countries, Japan is cheap and we are very happy." （Image source: ANN NEWS) Foreign man shopping for anime goods in Akihabara “I'm happy with affordable prices because of the weak yen!” （Image source: Nippon Television Network NEWS） 3. Japanese government's intention to aim for 5 trillion yen in tourism consumption per year and expectations from the economic community I would like to share the Japanese government's expectations for inbound consumption and the industry's reaction to the recent significant easing of entry requirements. Before the Coronavirus pandemic, a record 31.88 million foreign travelers visited Japan in 2019. Inbound spending amounted to approximately 4.8 trillion yen annually, bringing significant economic benefits to the metropolitan area and tourist destinations. However, from the start of the pandemic in March 2020, the Japanese government began gradually strengthening its border control measures, and the number of inbound visitors to Japan plummeted to 4.11 million in 2020 and 240,000 in 2021, with the tourism industry still suffering a major blow. Japan continues to have the strictest entry restrictions among the G7 countries, and was in the process of receiving requests from various countries for the resumption of tourism for individuals. As for the Japanese government's intention, Prime Minister Kishida stated in his policy speech in early October that "Japan is a country that has prospered through the free flow of people, goods, and money to and from the rest of the world. With the weak yen and other factors as a backdrop, we would like to achieve an annual inbound consumption exceeding 5 trillion yen, which is more than the amount before the Coronavirus pandemic". With the recent drastic easing of entry requirements, the government intends to resume full-scale tourism. The Japanese government has also announced its intention to formulate a new plan to become a "tourism-oriented nation" by the end of this fiscal year, with the perspective of hosting the Osaka-Kansai World Expo in 2025. Nomura Research Institute estimates that the economic impact of the increase in the number of visitors to Japan will be 2.1 trillion yen in 2023. And SMBC Nikko Securities forecasts that inbound spending will regain its pre-COVID momentum by the end of 2024, taking into account the effect of the yen's depreciation, and is expecting a resurgence of explosive buying by visitors to Japan against the backdrop of the historically weak yen. The response of the economic community to the government's action has, of course, been positive, with airlines, whose business performance had been severely affected by the previous border control measures, seeing a sharp increase in bookings for international flights from overseas to Japan immediately after easing of the ban was announced. JAL (Japan Airlines) (Expressing support for the easing of entry requirements) "We want to be well prepared to welcome our customers and contribute to the recovery of the Japanese economy." ANA (All Nippon Airways), President Inoue "We are very pleased with the long-awaited deregulation. The economic impact of visitors to Japan before the Coronavirus pandemic was approximately 5 trillion yen, and we expect to see a recovery of the same scale. (Also, regarding the resumption of visa-free individual tourism) I believe that many people who have not been able to visit Japan for a long time will be able to come to Japan from now on. We expect to see an increase in demand not only for urban tourism, but also for regional tourism." Narita International Airport Corporation, President Tamura "The reason why the number of international arrivals and departures has not increased is because of Japan's strict entry requirements, so we are very grateful for the easing [or requirements]. I think it will take one or two months to see the actual effect. We will watch with anticipation whether demand for air travel will recover from the year-end and New Year holidays." Conclusion With the recent drastic relaxation of entry requirements, there are high expectations for inbound consumption by foreign visitors to Japan as a catalyst for Japan's economic recovery, but a look at reactions overseas reveals that foreign visitors' mindsets are not necessarily favorable. The Washington Post (U.S.A.), in an article titled "Japan is reopening. But the effects of its border closure will linger," pointed out the following. "Japan strictly limits foreign arrivals out of covid-19 concerns, a scientifically specious approach that has made the country an outlier among top economies and most Asia-Pacific neighbors that have reopened to tourists. Xenophobia has festered as policymakers and news coverage have tied foreigners to the spread of the virus. Investors, academics and international students have diverted their plans elsewhere. Even after Japan began accepting group tours recently, the intense monitoring and bureaucratic hurdles have largely kept tourists’ interest at bay. Now, Japan faces a credibility gap as it looks to rejoin the world. Figures in business, academia, policymaking and diplomacy are concerned the closure has punctured Japan’s image as a culture that values hospitality. Even with a full reopening, Japan would need concrete steps to restore its standing." Also, Chinese tourists, who were the main source of demand and inbound consumption in Japan before the Coronavirus pandemic, spending approximately 9.5 million in 2019, are expected to take a certain amount of time to return to Japan as overseas travel is still heavily restricted under the Chinese government's strong "Zero Corona Policy." The International Air Transport Association (IATA) forecasts that the number of world travelers will exceed the pre-COVID level by 103% in 2024 compared to 2019, but only 97% will be in from the Asia-Pacific region, and it will be 2025 before the number exceeds pre-COVID levels. In the Asia-Pacific region, the recovery is expected to be delayed in China, where restrictions have not been eased. Other reasons for why the number of foreign visitors to Japan and inbound demand is unlikely to return to 2019 levels all at once, according to Nomura Research Institute, include the current high rate of new infections in Japan compared to other countries and the fact that many countries will refrain from overseas travel if the global economy slows in the future due to soaring prices and tightening monetary policies. However, we should learn from the experiences and measure outcomes of Europe and the U.S., which have been ahead of other countries in restoring borders and accepting foreigners during the coronavirus pandemic, and look forward to future trends to revive "Japan, the land of hospitality" that attract tourists from all over the world, while meanwhile balancing preventing the spread of infection and recovering inbound travel. References: Ministry of Foreign Affairs https://www.mofa.go.jp/p_pd/pds/page22e_000910.html Japan Tourism Agency https://www.mlit.go.jp/kankocho/en/shisaku/kokusai/traveltojapan.html NHK News https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/special/coronavirus/restrictions/detail/detail_95.html The Washington Post https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/09/16/japan-covid-restrictions-tourist-xenophobia/ Nomura Research Institute https://www.nri.com/jp/knowledge/blog/lst/2022/fis/kiuchi/1006 Global Outlook for Air Transport Times of Turbulence - IATA https://www.iata.org/en/iata-repository/publications/economic-reports/airline-industry-economic-performance---june-2022---report/#:~:text=The%20financial%20recovery%20will%20continue,from%20our%20end%2D2021%20forecast.&text=all%20regions%20in%202022%2C%20with,return%20to%20profitability%20this%20year Image Resources https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbah4XUIQco https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Be4jom6WZQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rp_sQw9T954

JITI 2009 Seminar on Sustainable Logistics What are economically feasible solutions for environmentally-friendly logistics? December 3, 2009 Washington Marriott at Metro Center 775 12th Street, N.W. Washington, DC As the new U.S. administration has stated, reduction of greenhouse gas emissions is an urgent need of the nation. The transportation sector which produces about 30% of the national total CO2 emissions can respond to this issue by setting up environmentally-friendly business practices. Significant opportunities may exist in logistics and the supply chain such as the improvement of efficiency of transporting goods and more effective logistics management by promoting modal shifts and educating truck drivers on ecological driving. This seminar explores the possibility of managing efficiency and environmentally friendliness in logistics through keynote speeches and a panel discussion involving experts from the U.S. and Japan. Through discussions of best practices in both countries, the seminar will seek economically feasible solutions that can have the greatest environmental benefits. As cooperation among each party related to the supply chain is necessary, viewpoints will be given from various parties including carriers, shippers, manufacturers, and the government. Opening Remarks Makoto Washizu President JITI USA Bio Remarks Keynote Speeches Sarah Dunham Director, Transportation and Regional Programs Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (including SmartWay Program) Bio Randy Mullet Vice President, Government Relations and Public Affairs, Con-way Inc. (focus on Carrier/3PL perspective and future trends) Bio Presentation Sean T. Connaughton Corporate VP for Government Affairs, ABS, and former U.S. Maritime Administrator (focus on intermodal aspects of sustainable logistics) Bio Remarks Hiroshi Omino General Manager, Sales Department, Isuzu Motors Limited (focus on Eco-friendly Driving Program) Bio Presentation Akira Motomiya President, Corporate Logistics Unit,Fujitsu Limited (focus on efforts by shippers) Bio Presentation Panel Discussion Ayman Omar (Moderator) Assistant Professor, Kogod School of Business, American University Bio Sarah Dunham Director, Transportation and Regional Programs Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Randy Mullet Vice President, Government Relations and Public Affairs, Con-way Inc. Sean T. Connaughton Corporate VP for Government Affairs, ABS, and former U.S. Maritime Administrator Hiroshi Omino General Manager, Sales Department, Isuzu Motors Limited Ed Crawford Isuzu Commercial Truck of America, Inc. Bio Akira Motomiya President, Corporate Logistics Unit, Fujitsu Limited

JITI 2013 Urban Transportation Seminar Increasing Public Transit Ridership February 6, 2013 The St. Regis Washington, D.C. 923 16th and K Streets, N.W., Washington, DC Urban transportation systems, such as heavy rail, light rail, and buses, play an important role in the movement of people to and from work, shopping, and leisure. Subsequent to the economic downturn of 2008 and increased gasoline prices, people rely on transit more than ever and in significantly increased numbers. However, some might say that it is uncertain whether this trend will continue if fuel prices decrease. In light of these factors, how do urban transportation systems secure ridership at current levels? How can they attract more riders? The speakers looked at best practices for improving customer satisfaction and discussed sustainable development of urban transportation. Opening Remarks Makoto Washizu President JITI USA Bio Keynote Speeches Arther L. Guzzetti Vice President - Policy, American Public Transportation Association (APTA) Bio Presentation Shyam Kannan Managing Director of Planning, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) Bio Presentation Tom Biesiadny Director, Fairfax County Department of Transportation Bio Presentation Toshikazu Saito Senior Managing Director, Tokyo Metro Co., Ltd. Bio Presentation Fumiaki Shiroishi Executive Officer & Deputy Senior Executive General Manager of Railway Business Unit, Tokyu Corporation Bio Presentation Panel Discussion Joshua Schank (Moderator) President & CEO, Eno Center for Transportation Bio

As with other parts of the aviation industry, air cargo transportation has been greatly impacted by the coronavirus. However, repercussions have been felt differently across regions of the world, and the U.S. has even benefitted from trade with some countries. < Back Civil Aviation Trends of Air Cargo Transportation in the U.S. By Daisuke Takagi As with other parts of the aviation industry, air cargo transportation has been greatly impacted by the coronavirus. However, repercussions have been felt differently across regions of the world, and the U.S. has even benefitted from trade with some countries. Download the Report

JITTI Journal November 2019 Back to All JITTI Journals November 2019 Feature Article 2020 Expansion of International Air Networks in Tokyo’s Haneda Airport by Hiroki Sakamoto While air passenger transport in the world has been steadily growing, Japan hopes to achieve even greater targets of 40 million foreign visitors in 2020 and 60 million in 2030, and is implementing policies in order to address these increasing aviation demands. One major policy is to enhance the functions of Tokyo metropolitan airports (Tokyo International Airport (Haneda Airport) and Narita International Airport (Narita Airport)). Efforts are now underway for the two airports to jointly achieve take-offs/landings at the world’s top rates (approximately 1 million per year), roughly the same as those for New York or London. Specifically, efforts are being made to increase the airport capacity by such measures as reviewing the flight paths to and from Haneda Airport and developing a third runway in Narita Airport. In August 2019, the United States and Japanese Government officials in charge of aviation negotiations reached an agreement to increase daytime services (6:00-22:55) between Haneda Airport and U.S. destinations. Among the 50 new international slot pairs created at the airport, they allocate 12 new slot pairs (12 arrivals and 12 departures daily) for U.S. air carriers, and 12 new slot pairs for Japanese air carriers. The new flight services are expected to be available from March 29th, 2020, at the beginning of the Summer 2020 season, and in time for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games. A control tower at Haneda Airport In September 2019, after considerations on how to expand the number of foreign visitors and strengthen Japan’s international competitiveness, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan announced the allocation of slots for 50 flights. For the first time, Russia, Australia, India, Italy, Turkey, Finland, Scandinavia (Denmark, Sweden or Norway) acquired daytime slots into the country. The allocations of slots for the 50 flights are as follows by country: USA: 24 flights China: 8 flights Russia: 4 flights Australia: 4 flights India: 2 flights Italy: 2 flights Turkey: 2 flights Finland: 2 flights Scandinavia (Denmark, Sweden or Norway): 2 flights Among the 50 flights, 25 flights were allocated to Japanese air carriers (ANA: 13.5 flights, JAL: 11.5 flights in total). USA: ANA 6 flights, JAL 6 flights China: ANA 2 flights, JAL 2 flights Russia: ANA 1 flight, JAL 1 flight Australia: ANA 1 flight, JAL 1 flight India: ANA 0.5 flights, JAL 0.5 flights Italy: ANA 1 flight Turkey: ANA 1 flight Finland: JAL 1 flight Scandinavia (Denmark, Sweden, or Norway) : ANA 1 flight An aerial view of Haneda airport, which is close to downtown Tokyo The details of slot allocations for each international region are as follows: 1) North America : Currently, both the U.S. and Canada have daytime slots, but for this most recent change, only the slots for the U.S. were expanded. Regarding U.S. air carriers, Delta Air Lines will have flights from Seattle, Detroit, Atlanta, Portland and Honolulu; United Airlines will have flights from Newark (N.J.), Chicago O’Hare, Washington-Dulles and Los Angeles; American Airlines will have flights from Dallas/Fort Worth and Los Angeles; and Hawaiian Airlines will have a flight from Honolulu. Delta Air Lines decided that it will fully transfer its U.S.-Tokyo flights from Narita Airport to Haneda Airport, bringing its operations closer to central Tokyo. Regarding Japanese airline routes to the United States, ANA and JAL are each allocated 6 flights. Currently, ANA operates from Narita Airport to Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, San Jose, Chicago, Houston, Washington D.C., New York, and Honolulu, and from Haneda Airport to Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, and Honolulu. From March 29, 2020, ANA is planning to offer new non-stop services from Haneda Airport to Houston, San Francisco, San Jose, Seattle and Washington D.C. Also, ANA will be increasing the frequency of the Haneda - Los Angeles route in 2020. In addition, all routes from Narita Airport to Houston, San Jose, Seattle and Washington D.C., and some routes to Los Angeles, will be relocated to Haneda Airport. JAL operates from Narita Airport to Los Angeles, San Diego, Seattle, Chicago, New York, Dallas, Boston, Honolulu, Kona and Guam, and from Haneda Airport to San Francisco and New York. From March 29, 2020, JAL is planning to establish new services between Haneda Airport and Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles and Honolulu. Also, JAL will be increasing the frequency of the Haneda - New York route in 2020. Furthermore, all routes from Narita Airport to New York and Dallas, and some routes to Chicago and Honolulu, will be relocated to Haneda Airport. 2) Asia: China has acquired eight new flights, making it the country with the second most slots after the United States. Currently, both Japanese and Chinese airlines fly to Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou during the daytime. India has newly been awarded daytime slots for the first time. There were no additional slots for South Korea. 3) Europe: Currently, there are landing slots during the day time for the United Kingdom, France and Germany. However, no additional slots for these countries were awarded. Slots for Russia, Italy, Finland, Scandinavia (Denmark, Sweden or Norway) are newly being applied. From March 2020, daytime services between U.S. cities and Haneda Airport will be drastically increased. That means that US citizens will easily able to travel to local areas in Japan such as Hokkaido, Shikoku, Kyushu and Okinawa by using the numerous and various domestic connecting flights at Haneda Airport. Why don’t you plan your next journey to Japan by utilizing the expanded and advanced aviation transport networks at Haneda Airport?

High Speed Rail Seminar in Chicago June 28, 2010 Union League Club of Chicago 65 West Jackson Boulevard, Chicago, IL Presented by: Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT), Japan Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), Japan Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), Japan Institution for Transport Policy Studies (ITPS), Japan Japan International Transport Institute (JITI) Council for Global Promotion of Railway, Japan Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) Seminar Program Agenda Seminar Overview In January 2010, President Obama announced an allocation of $8 billion granted as federal funds to help turn the U.S. vision of high speed rail (HSR) into reality. The distributed funds will be used for the development of HSR which has proven to be an effective, energy-efficient way to move large numbers of people quickly over long distances. The goal of this seminar in Chicago is to demonstrate Japan’s 45 years of experience in HSR operation and contribute toward developing HSR network projects in the Midwest region as well as other regions in the U.S. In this half day seminar, leaders in the Japanese transportation field will introduce technology and operational experience about HSR. Topics also include a finance scheme for introducing HSR systems to the U.S. as well as economic benefits derived from HSR, such as job creation and regional development. Opening Remarks Seiji Maehara Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Bio Presentation Ichiro Fujisaki Ambassador of Japan to the United States Bio Satoshi Seino President and CEO, East Japan Railway Company, Deputy Chairman, Council for Global Promotion of Railway Bio Jiro Hanyu Chairman, ITPS Bio Keynote Speeches Governor Patrick Joseph “Pat” Quinn III State of Illinois (Secretary Gary Hannig, Illinois DOT, representing Governor Quinn) Mayor Richard M. Daley City of Chicago (Commissioner Bobby L. Ware, CDOT, representing Mayor Daley) Bio U.S. Congressman Daniel Lipinski Illinois 3rd District Bio State Representative Elaine Nekritz Illinois 57th District Bio Richard Harnish Executive Director, Midwest High Speed Rail Association Bio Presentations Yuki Tanaka Director, International Affairs Office, JITI Bio Presentation Satoshi Seino President and CEO, East Japan Railway Company Presentation Hiromasa Tanaka Senior Advisor, Central Japan Railway Company Bio Presentation Maurice Andriani Senior Manager, Aftermarket and Special Projects, Kawasaki Rail Car, Inc Bio Presentation Yasuhiko Mochizuki President, Nippon Sharyo U.S.A., Inc. Bio Presentation Robert E. Galbraith, II Director, Marketing, Transportation Systems Division, Mitsubishi Electric Power Products, Inc. Bio Presentation Kyle D. Kem Vice President, Toshiba International Corporation Bio Presentation Closing Remarks Makoto Washizu President, JITI Bio Exhibition Panel displays & DVD presentations on Japanese HSR [Railway Operators] East Japan Railway Company Central Japan Railway Company [Manufacturers] Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. Nippon Sharyo, Ltd. /Sumitomo Corporation Mitsubishi Electric Corporation Toshiba Corporation Fuji Electric Systems Co., Ltd. Hitachi, Ltd. KYB Corporation Nabtesco Corporation NTN Corporation Sumitomo Metals