JITI 2016 Self-Driving Vehicle Seminar The Future of Self-Driving Vehicle Technology May 18th, 2016 The Mayflower Hotel, Autograph Collection 1127 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, D.C. In recent years, self-driving vehicle technology has become increasingly prominent in both Japan and the United States as part of an effort to develop practical applications for next-generation vehicles. In the coming years, urbanization is expected to increase, as are vehicles per capita. When considering the impact of the aging population, the applications of self-driving vehicle technology may help to reduce the number of traffic accidents, alleviate traffic congestion, and reduce the environmental burden of vehicles. The future direction of this technology has already become the center of attention in various sectors. In fact, both Japanese and U.S. vehicle manufacturers aim to introduce self-driving vehicles to the roads by 2020. In both countries, demonstration projects have already been taking place on public highways. The applications of self-driving vehicle technology require further technological advances, such as the development of sensors that can detect obstacles and motion, development of current GPS technology, and development of image-recognition technology as well as the operating systems of the cars. In addition, there are various structural concerns and regulatory issues including: addressing liability in the case of traffic accidents, creating a highway infrastructure that can support self-driving vehicle technology, and the need for rigorous public promotion to make self-driving vehicle technology widely available in the market. This seminar called for a discussion among a distinguished group of self-driving vehicle technology experts from both the US and Japan regarding the future of practical applications, the potential impact on citizens and society, as well as the technical and legislative issues surrounding self-driving technology. Opening Remarks Makoto Washizu President , JITI, USA Bio Keynote Speeches Kenji Sato Director, Washington Office, Japan Automobile Standards Internationalization Center (JASIC) Bio Presentation Kevin Dopart Program Manager, Vehicle Safety & Automation, US DOT ITS Joint Program Office Bio Presentation Kevin Ro Director, Technical and Regulatory Affairs, Toyota Motor North America Inc. Bio Presentation John P Capp Director, Global Safety Strategy & Vehicle Programs , General Motors Global Product Development Bio Presentation Maarten Sierhuis Director, Nissan Research Center Silicon Valley Bio Panel Discussion Bryant Walker Smith (moderator) Assistant Professor of Law, University of South Carolina Bio

A Historic Moment: The Blossoming of Japan-US Coast Guard Academic Collaboration A Significant First Step in Collaboration for Both Academies (Photo by USCGA, provided by JCGA) A Historic Moment: The Blossoming of Japan-US Coast Guard Academic Collaboration By Daisuke Komatsu On April 21st this year, under a crystal-clear sky in New London, Connecticut, a historic moment unfolded at the United States Coast Guard Academy. The Japan Coast Guard Academy and the US Coast Guard Academy, striving to further enhance their educational programs, signed a landmark agreement on academic cooperation - a first for both institutions with an overseas academy. The Japan-US Coast Guards have led coast guards worldwide and, based on the memoranda of cooperation signed in 2010 and the MOC’s ANNEX in 2022, have strengthened their trust by collaborating in various areas, including high-level meetings, joint exercises, and capacity building support for the Philippine Coast Guard. The signing of this document of cooperation between the two educational and training institutions, as part of the Japan-US joint initiative "SAPPHIRE" based on the 2022 ANNEX, reaffirms the significance of cadets’ cooperation including international student conferences and cadet exchanges through training vessel visits. It aims to further enhance academy education by focusing on academic exchange, joint research, and the establishment of mutual exchange programs. The Signing Took Place in a Solemn Atmosphere (Photo by USCGA, provided by JCGA) The signing ceremony took place in a serene atmosphere at the Hamilton Hall of the US Coast Guard Academy, attended by Rear Admiral William G. Kelly, Superintendent of the US Coast Guard Academy, and Rear Admiral Upper half Mitsuru Eguchi, Superintendent of the Japan Coast Guard Academy. Rear Admiral Kelly emphasized the significance of the agreement, which further strengthens the historic relationship between the two academies, and expressed his commitment to developing the long-standing friendship with the Japan Coast Guard Academy and enhancing their educational training. Rear Admiral Upper half Eguchi touched on the history of exchanges between the two academies and expressed his conviction that academic exchanges will strengthen their relationship even further through student interactions. Additionally, he proposed that the Japan-US educational institutions should become two range lights, cooperating to advance maritime law enforcement education and training in the Indo- Pacific region. Group Photo of the Representatives from Both Academies (Photo by USCGA, provided by JCGA) The Japan Coast Guard Academy was established over 70 years ago, and the US Coast Guard Academy nearly 150 years. This was the first time for each academy to sign an agreement on cooperation with an overseas academy. This historic document exchange highlights the need for collaboration between educational and training institutions, which are the foundation for human resource development, in addition to cooperation at Headquarter and operational levels amidst challenging maritime security environments. Furthermore, maritime security research spans a wide range of areas, including maritime security, international law, search and rescue techniques, and environmental conservation. The academic exchange between faculty members is expected to lead to more advanced research in coast guard operations, which is still in development. The signing of this cooperation document contributes to building a solid foundation for nurturing the next generation of leaders, as both countries' maritime security agencies work together to improve maritime security. Through the collaboration of both academies, research and education in the maritime security field will progress, and international cooperation between the two agencies will deepen, leading to enhanced maritime security in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond. The author hopes that the strengthened cooperation between Japan and the US maritime security agencies will pave the way to realize a free and open Indo-Pacific. A Regimental Review by USCGA Cadets for the Superintendent of JCGA Was Also Held in Conjunction with the Signing Ceremony (Photo by USCGA, provided by JCGA) Back to All JITTI Journals May 2023 Feature Article

JITTI Journal September 2020 Back to All JITTI Journals September 2020 Feature Article How Has COVID 19 Affected Transportation in Japan? An Introduction of Japanese Statistics by Shuntaro Okimoto The impact of COVID 19 on the transportation and tourism sectors is significant, and no one knows when the pandemic will end. I live near Washington, DC, so I feel the impact on this region every day. On the other hand, how has my home country of Japan, on the other side of the globe, been affected? The virus, which has caused us suffering, is the same around the world, and Japan, like the United States, also has modern and functional transportation modes, such as railroads, airplanes, and cars. Is the impact on transportation in Japan similar to that in the United States? Or instead, has the coronavirus impacted the transportation sector differently between the United States, which has a vast continent, and Japan, which is a small island country surrounded by the sea? By introducing the latest statistics issued by the Japanese government, I would like to give you a chance to ponder this topic. All Japanese data used in this document was provided by the Japanese government, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism: https://www.mlit.go.jp/report/press/joho03_hh_000139.html (in Japanese only) I browsed the following pages to find US data: “Monthly Transportation Statistics” (Bureau of Transportation Statistics) https://data.bts.gov/stories/s/Monthly-Transportation-Statistics/m9eb-yevh 1. Rail Passengers The number of rail passengers has decreased since March, and in April and May it was 54% of the number from the same month the previous year. It recovered slightly in June, reaching 70% of last year’s number. According to the Passenger km, which is data obtained by multiplying the number of passengers to the distance traveled (shown by the orange line in the graph above), the drop is larger than the data for the number of passengers (shown by the blue line). This is because the number of passengers traveling long-distances is significantly decreasing. Passengers on the high-speed railway in Japan, called the Shinkansen, have recovered only to 20% in July, and the latest release by the railway company suggests that this trend will continue at least until August. This data is shocking. As you may be aware if you are familiar with Japan, the Japanese love taking the train very much. In urban areas, such as Tokyo, there are extremely convenient urban railroads and subways, and many businessmen working in Tokyo commute by rail every weekday. Also, during long weekends, they go far away using the Shinkansen that connects cities. If you visit Japan, you will probably ride several trains. The reason why passengers disappeared from trains, which have a strong presence in Japan's domestic transportation system, is that the government issued a state of emergency on April 7th, which restricted commuting to offices and restrained people from traveling for holidays. (Currently, the state of emergency has been lifted.) Japan's leading railroad companies (many of which are completely private companies) announced their financial results for the April-June quarter in mid-August, but all the companies were in the red.  In the United States, the number of intercity rail passengers has almost disappeared since the latter half of March, and in June it recovered to only about 7% of the same month last year. Urban rail passengers fell to 10% year-on-year in April, but then recovered to 24%. Passenger growth has recovered faster in Japan, probably because of the difference in the presence of railways. 2. Air Passengers Air passenger numbers on Japanese carriers were at their worst in May, and have started to get a little better since then. Domestic passengers in June have recovered to 20% year-on-year, and this recovery trend is expected to continue. On the other hand, attracting international passengers continues to be in a difficult due to continued immigration restrictions and self-isolation by countries around the world. In the United States, domestic flights in June accounted for 22% year-on-year, and international flights in the same month accounted for about 5%. The recovery of US and Japanese air passengers is about the same. Japanese air carriers are facing a very difficult situation, just as air carriers in other countries are. Although they secure cash through frequent borrowing, there is currently no direct government support for air carriers, such as the subsidies found under the US CARES Act. Regarding, the COVID 19 pandemic and its impact on air passengers, I wrote another report in April with more detailed information. If you are interested in reading it, you can access it from the link below. https://af934965-c8f7-4701-9b19-735ce5bd25c9.filesusr.com/ugd/af054c_8405014ca6394fa5809f0a666fbcb3b6.pdf 3. Buses and Taxes This is passenger data for buses and taxis in Tokyo. The number of passengers riding taxis decreased sharply until May. It can be said that it is currently on a recovery trend, rising to 50% year-on-year in June. The number of passengers riding fixed-route buses in July in the United States was about 50% compared to the same month of the previous year, and the recovery is slower than in Japan, which has numbers of over 70%. 4. Logistics The impact on logistics is different from that of passengers. The effect of the pandemic on domestic logistics is small, and it has instead invigorated some logistic industries. The increase in door-to-door package transportation is thought to be due to the increase in the use of online shopping during the pandemic. Less-than-truckload freight shipping (LTL) is used for the transportation of small freight, or when a freight doesn’t require the use of an entire trailer. Looking at the impact of trucks on logistic transportation from the perspective of LTL and general motor trucks, there has not been much of a negative effect. The impact on logistics for other modes has also been small compared than that for passengers. The decrease in air cargo is thought to be due to the decline in passenger flights.  In the US, the impact on logistics and passenger transportation is the same. What is noteworthy about US freight transport is that air cargo in June exceeded last year's levels both domestically and internationally. For domestic flights, it has been more than 10% higher than last year since April. 5. Travel Agencies The Japanese government has been focusing on policies to attract foreign visitors to Japan. However, from March to July, foreign visitors have almost disappeared to about 0.1% year-on-year. In addition, domestic tourism has declined since March in Japan. As a result, travel agencies are in great trouble. To improve this situation, the Japanese government started a policy of subsidizing domestic private travel in July. Some people are concerned about the spread of infection by this measure, but the positive effects of increasing the number of people traveling domestically has begun to appear. In the third week of September, which is when I am writing this article, Japan has four holidays, and some reports suggest that the most people have enjoyed traveling at this time than since the pandemic began. I discovered that Japan and the United States, whose lands are completely different in size and shape, have been similarly affected by the pandemic. Especially in the field of transportation, even if the movement of people has extremely reduced, the movement of goods has not reduced very much, or may have even been partially invigorated. The traffic modes in both countries will remain changing their operation even in the new normal. We will continue to monitor the impact of pandemics on transportation in Japan and the United States. If you have any questions about the current state of transportation and tourism in Japan, please feel free to contact us.

JITI 2013 Aviation Seminar The Future of the U.S.-Japan Market November 19, 2013 The Willard InterContinental Washington 1401 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. For the United States, Japan is the fourth largest market in bilateral passenger air services. More than ten million people fly between these two countries every year. Unfortunately, while other Asian markets, such as U.S.-China, have rapidly developed, the U.S.-Japan market experienced a downward trend during the last decade. This may reflect the difference in economic and social circumstances among the U.S.-Japan and other bilateral markets. Some might argue that the U.S.-Japan market has and will continue to exhibit relatively softer demand than in the past. However, conditions in the U.S.-Japan market are changing. The Open Skies agreement, airport expansion in Tokyo, and recovery from the recent economic downturn in both countries and the Great East Japan Earthquake could factor in the revitalization of the market. In this seminar, JITI’s distinguished speakers reviewed the current dynamics of the U.S.-Japan aviation market and discuss whether it can be reinvigorated, including what the key to an eventual resurgence might be. Opening Remarks Makoto Washizu President JITI USA Bio Keynote Speeches John Byerly Former Deputy Assistant Secretary, US State Department Bio Presentation Hiroshi Otsuka Assistant Vice-Minister for International Affairs and International Aviation, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) of Japan Bio Presentation Timothy Liu Senior Director of Asia Sales, Hawaiian Airlines Bio Presentation Yuji Hirako Senior Vice President, The Americas, All Nippon Airways (ANA) Bio Presentation Buddy Anslinger Senior Vice President, Airline Network Strategy, InterVISTAS Bio Presentation Special Guest Speech Keiichi Ando President & CEO, New Kansai International Airport Company, Ltd. Bio Presentation Panel Discussion Kenneth Button Professor, School of Public Policy, George Mason University Bio

Japan's Strategic Countermeasures against the Pirates of the Seas Japan's Strategic Countermeasures against the Pirates of the Seas By Daisuke Komatsu Towards the end of 2023 and the beginning of 2024, a series of piracy incidents, including the capture of cargo ships and tankers, occurred in the waters around the Gulf of Aden, near Yemen and Somalia. Additionally, there has been an increase in pirate attacks in Southeast Asian waters in recent years, posing significant threats to the safety of nearby vessels and raising major concerns for economic security. In light of this background, this journal article aims to elucidate Japan's counter-piracy measures. Tracing back the history of piracy in Japan, references to pirates can be found as early as the latter half of the 5th century in the "Nihon Shoki" (Chronicles of Japan). Notably, during the late 15th century and the Sengoku period (Warring States period), pirate groups known as the "Murakami KAIZOKU,” a group functioning both as pirates and a naval force, were frequently active in the Seto Inland Sea. In more contemporary times, incidents such as the 1999 attack on the Arlanda Rainbow, which was en route from Indonesia to Japan, and the 2005 attack on the Japanese-flagged ocean-going tugboat Idaten in the northwestern part of the Strait of Malacca, have occurred. Globally, piracy has been a longstanding maritime security threat throughout history, evident from occurrences in the Roman Empire era, the Vikings in the 8th century, privateers during the Age of Discovery, the Barbary pirates in North Africa, and pirates in the Caribbean and Indian Oceans. Revisiting the definition of piracy, according to Article 101 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, piracy consists of: (a) Any illegal acts of violence, detention, or depredation for private ends by the crew or passengers of a private ship or aircraft against: (i) Another ship or aircraft, or persons or property on board in the high seas; (ii) A ship, aircraft, persons or property in a place outside the jurisdiction of any state. (b) Voluntary participation in the operation of a ship or aircraft with knowledge that it is a pirate ship or aircraft. (c) Incitement or intentional facilitation of acts defined in subparagraph (a) or (b). Article 105 of the same convention outlines that any state may seize a pirate ship or aircraft, or a ship taken by piracy and under the control of pirates, and arrest the persons and seize the property on board in the high seas or any other place outside the jurisdiction of any state. The courts of the state which carried out the seizure may decide upon the penalties to be imposed, and, with due regard to the rights of bona fide third parties, may determine the action to be taken with respect to the ship, aircraft, or property. In essence, piracy is robbery conducted on the high seas and is considered a universal enemy against which any state may act. Pirate acts occurring within territorial waters of coastal states, as opposed to the high seas, are defined as armed robbery at sea. Considering the above, an overview of Japan's counter-piracy measures is provided. As an island nation with low food and energy self-sufficiency rates, Japan relies heavily on maritime transport routes for 99.5% of its imported resources essential for maintaining economic activities and social life. Thus, protecting merchant vessels from piracy is a lifeline for the country. Created by the author using freely available resources. Direct enforcement in pirate-infested waters like the Malacca and Singapore Straits was not feasible for Japan due to territorial limitations. Consequently, the Japan Coast Guard led the adoption of the "Asian Anti-Piracy Challenges 2000" at this conference, proposing measures such as mutual visits of patrol ships, joint training exercises, continuous expert meetings, and conducting seminars on maritime crime control. Initiatives also included accepting students for maritime crime seminars at the Japan Coast Guard Academy and JICA, dispatching long-term JICA experts, and supporting capacity building through joint training with coastal countries. These efforts led to a significant reduction in piracy incidents in Southeast Asia after 2004. However, piracy in Somalia, particularly around the Gulf of Aden, surged post-2007. A notable incident in February 2007 involved the hijacking of the MV Rozen, a cargo ship chartered by the World Food Programme for humanitarian aid to Somalia, leading to the abduction of 12 crew members. This incident underscored the international community's need to collaborate in combating piracy in the region. Created by the author using data sourced from the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) reports. In contrast to the pirates in Southeast Asia, those operating in the Gulf of Aden and off the coast of Somalia are characterized by their heavy armament, organized operations, and operations in a broad maritime area far from land. Notably, they often kidnap entire crews and ships, demanding ransoms, rather than just looting goods or cargoes. Since 1991, Somalia has been in a state of anarchy, lacking a functional government capable of combating piracy, differentiating it from the situation in Southeast Asia. With the passing of multiple United Nations Security Council resolutions in 2008, the CTF151 (Combat Task Force) fleet, predominantly comprising EU and NATO member states, was dispatched to protect ships in these waters, leading to an increase in the forceful suppression of pirates. The United States also joined the efforts with its Navy and Coast Guard as part of the combined maritime task force. Recognizing that about 10% of the vessels transiting the Gulf of Aden annually are Japan-related, and to fulfill its role as a responsible nation in the United Nations, Japan acknowledged the importance of counter-piracy measures in the region. The Japan Coast Guard, tasked with protecting lives and property from piracy and maintaining security, faced challenges in collaborating with CTF151 and exercising jurisdiction over maritime crimes in international waters. However, dispatching the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) was considered. Under the Self-Defense Forces Law Article 82, JMSDF's maritime security operations are primarily limited to protecting Japanese lives or property, presenting challenges in guarding non-Japanese vessels like those protected by CTF151. To address these challenges, Japan legislated the Anti-Piracy Measures Law in June 2009. This law enabled the Japan Coast Guard to exercise jurisdiction over piracy, considered a crime in international waters, and allowed JMSDF escort vessels to guard foreign-flagged ships in coordination with CTF151. A significant feature of this law is that it defined piracy as a crime within Japan's legal system for the first time, allowing for the protection of not just Japanese vessels but also foreign ships. The law also permitted preventive actions against piracy, such as firing warning shots when pirates approached civilian vessels. This legislation marked a milestone in asserting jurisdiction in international waters, a domain typically governed by the principle of flag state jurisdiction. JMSDF has since been conducting escort operations and surveillance activities, regardless of the ships' nationality, based on their requests in the Gulf of Aden, with significant collaboration from the Japan Coast Guard. Coast Guard officers, deployed on JMSDF ships, play a crucial role in enforcing the Anti-Piracy Measures Law. This joint operation ensures effective law enforcement and escort operations. From 2013, Japan has participated in CTF151, further intensifying its anti-piracy measures. These efforts have significantly reduced piracy incidents around Somalia. Japan continues to support the enhancement of maritime security capabilities in Somalia and neighboring countries and aims for the fundamental resolution of the piracy issue, contributing to the reconstruction and stabilization of Somalia. Moreover, some analysts suggest that the piracy incidents mentioned earlier might be linked to 2023 Israel-Hamas War, , underscoring the necessity for continued international cooperation and efforts to address the root causes of piracy for ensuring maritime security in the region. Back to All JITTI Journals January 2024 Feature Article

Regional Revitalization Centered on Airports: Initiatives at Japanese Airports < Back

JITI 2010 Transportation Seminar Economic Revitalization through the Transportation Industry Exploring New Business Opportunities and Job Creation within the Transportation Sector October 20, 2010 The Mayflower Renaissance Washington 1127 Connecticut Ave. NW Washington, DC Economic uncertainty still remains a heavy burden on the revitalization of the economy. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood repeatedly mentions that job creation in the transportation sector is one of the most important tasks, and that effective measures must be taken as soon as possible. The transportation industry covers a broad area. Not only does it cover transportation service itself, but also a variety of related businesses, including construction/maintenance of facilities, production of rolling-stocks/vehicles, and development of commercial facilities. Therefore, this sector has the potential to contribute to the revitalization of the economy in various ways. For example, in Japan, commercial developments inside/around the stations have achieved great success; the extension of the Washington Metro creates many jobs and offers new business opportunities; Japanese manufacturers are expanding their business in the U.S., which gives positive impacts on regional economy. In this seminar, we will study how the transportation industry is involved with economic revitalization by sharing information and experiences from both countries, as well as discuss future developments of the transportation industry. Opening Remarks Makoto Washizu President JITI USA Bio Keynote Speakers Kenichi Higo Director, Business Innovation Department, Tokyo Metro Co., Ltd. [Commercial Use of Underground Space] Bio Presentation Gary Malasky Senior Real Estate Advisor, Department of Planning & Joint Development, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority [New Developments of Metrorail] Bio Presentation Mitsuo Higashi Director, International Department, East Japan Railway Company (JR East) [Commercial Development around Stations and IC-card use at Commercial Facilities] Bio Presentation Hiroshi Sugiura Executive Director, Metropolitan Intercity Railway Company [Impacts of New Lines on Regional Economy (Tsukuba Express Case)] Bio Presentation Maurice Andriani Senior Manager, Aftermarket and Special Projects, Kawasaki Rail Car, Inc. [Job Creation by Manufacturers] Bio Panel Discussion Clifford Winston (Moderator) Senior Fellow, Economic Studies Program, The Brookings Institution Bio

2019 International Exchange and Tourism Seminar The Future of the US-Japan Friendship: How International Exchange and Tourism are Changing Perspectives Thursday, March 21st, 2019 at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center (Atrium Ballroom) 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington DC, 20004 In the modern world, people-to-people exchanges play a great role in international relations. Such exchanges are often called the people’s diplomacy, and given equal weight as government diplomacy. Similarly, the United Nations World Tourism Organization asserts that tourism also can play a key role as a catalyst for peace and development. In this sense, international exchange and tourism serve the same function. Viewed from the lens of psychology, the two are close: both start from a human interest in other countries and people. Tourism may be said to be the beginning and perhaps less intensive part of international exchange. The US-Japan relationship is one of the most intimate relationships in the world and has deepened over time thanks to numerous initiatives. These initiatives include the 1912 gift of cherry trees from the Mayor of Tokyo to Washington D.C., and the more recent TOMODACHI Initiative which originated in response to the need for assistance after the Great East Japan Earthquake of 2011. Comings and goings of people between the US and Japan, which measures the magnitude of exchange, has steadily grown. Visitors from the US to Japan have been breaking records annually since 2014, and numbered 1.53 million in 2018. For Japanese travelers, the US is the most visited country, and Japanese visitors to the US reached 3.60 million in 2017. Travel in itself is changing, with repeat visitors and solo travelers increasing and people’s travel expectations evolving as well. Visitors are not just sightseeing, but are now also visiting schools to interact with students, engaging in traditional cultural opportunities, and participating in volunteer activities, to name a few of the many and varied visitor activities. With the spread of internet reservations, personally customized travel has become popular. For this seminar, JTTRI・JITI and JNTO is pleased to have well-known individuals and experts in international exchange and tourism between the US and Japan who will speak on the current situation and issues in their field, the many aspects of their efforts, and the measures which need to be taken to deepen international exchange, including tourism, between the US and Japan. Video, Audio, and Written Records 2019 International Exchange and Tourism Seminar Video Channel info The Future of the US-Japan Friendship: How International Exchange and Tourism are Changing Perspectives People & Blogs JNTO, JTTRI, tourism, International Exchange, Ronald Reagan Building, National Cherry Blossom Festival, Embassy of Japan, ronald reagan building, Washington DC, Japan, Tourism, seminar 2019 International Exchange and Tourism Seminar Video Play video Opening Remarks Read more This seminar was held on March 21, 2019 as an official event during the National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington DC. Opening Remarks: Masafumi Shukuri Chairman Japan Transport and Tourism Research Institute (JTTRI) Ronald Reagan Building Honorable Guest Remarks Read more This seminar was held on March 21, 2019 as an official event during the National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington DC. Honorable Guest Remarks: Shinsuke Sugiyama Ambassador of Japan to the United States People & Blogs Embassy of Japan, International Exchange, Tourism, JNTO, JTTRI Keynote Speeches Read more This seminar was held on March 21, 2019 as an official event during the National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington DC. Keynote Speeches: Norman Mineta Former Secretary of Transportation; President & CEO, Mineta & Associates; Honorary Chairman of the Board of Trustees, The Japan-America Society of Washington DC (JASWDC) Satoshi Seino President, Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) People & Blogs JTTRI, JNTO, International Exchange, tourism, seminar, ronald reagan building, Washington DC, Japan Panel Discussion Read more This seminar was held on March 21, 2019 as an official event during the National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington DC. Moderator Abigail Friedman Founder and CEO, The Wisteria Group; Officer of the Board of Trustees, JASWDC; Haiku Poet Panelists Takehiro Shimada Minister, Communications and Cultural Affairs, Embassy of Japan Laura Abbot Executive Vice President and COO, US-Japan Council Shin Koyamada Actor & Producer; CEO of Shinca Group; Chairman of Koyamada International Foundation; National Board of Directors of Sister Cities International Aaron Wodin-Schwartz Vice President of Public Policy and Public Affairs, Brand USA People & Blogs Embassy of Japan, JNTO, JTTRI, International Exchange, Tourism, Japan, National Cherry Blossom Festival, Washington DC 2019 国際交流と観光セミナー ビデオ Channel info 日米友好の将来：国際交流と観光の新しい姿 People & Blogs Wisteria Group, Seminar, JNTO, JTTRI, US Japan Council, Brand USA, International Exchange, Ronald Reagan Building, Embassy of Japan, JITI, Washington DC, Japan, Tourism, KIF, National Cherry Blossom Festival 2019 国際交流と観光セミナー ビデオ Play video 開会挨拶 Read more This seminar was held on March 21, 2019 as an official event during the National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington DC. Opening Remarks: Masafumi Shukuri Chairman Japan Transport and Tourism Research Institute (JTTRI) People & Blogs Ronald Reagan Building 来賓挨拶 Read more This seminar was held on March 21, 2019 as an official event during the National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington DC. Honorable Guest Remarks: Shinsuke Sugiyama Ambassador of Japan to the United States People & Blogs Embassy of Japan, JTTRI, International Exchange, Tourism, Washington DC, National Cherry Blossom Festival, JITI, Japan 基調講演 Read more This seminar was held on March 21, 2019 as an official event during the National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington DC. Keynote Speeches: Norman Mineta Former Secretary of Transportation; President & CEO, Mineta & Associates; Honorary Chairman of the Board of Trustees, The Japan-America Society of Washington DC (JASWDC) Satoshi Seino President, Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) People & Blogs JTTRI, JNTO, International Exchange, Tourism, Japan, Seminar, National Cherry Blossom Festival パネルディスカッション Read more This seminar was held on March 21, 2019 as an official event during the National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington DC. Moderator Abigail Friedman Founder and CEO, The Wisteria Group; Officer of the Board of Trustees, JASWDC; Haiku Poet Panelists Takehiro Shimada Minister, Communications and Cultural Affairs, Embassy of Japan Laura Abbot Executive Vice President and COO, US-Japan Council Shin Koyamada Actor & Producer; CEO of Shinca Group; Chairman of Koyamada International Foundation; National Board of Directors of Sister Cities International Aaron Wodin-Schwartz Vice President of Public Policy and Public Affairs, Brand USA People & Blogs Embassy of Japan, JTTRI, JNTO, Tourism, International Exchange, Japan, Brand USA, Wisteria Group, KIF, US Japan Council First Session Transcript: Opening & Guest Remarks, Keynote Speeches Second Session Transcript: Panel Discussion, Audience Q&A Opening Remarks Masafumi Shukuri Chairman, Japan Transport and Tourism Research Institute (JTTRI) Bio Remarks Honorable Guest Remarks Shinsuke Sugiyama Ambassador of Japan to the United States Bio Keynote Speeches Norman Mineta Former Secretary of Transportation; President & CEO, Mineta & Associates; Honorary Chairman of the Board of Trustees, The Japan-America Society of Washington DC (JASWDC) Bio Satoshi Seino President, Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) Bio Presentation パワーポイント Panel Discussion and Q&A Moderator Abigail Friedman Founder and CEO, The Wisteria Group; Officer of the Board of Trustees, JASWDC; Haiku Poet Bio Panelists Takehiro Shimada Minister, Communications and Cultural Affairs, Embassy of Japa n Bio Presentation Laura Abbot Executive Vice President and COO, US-Japan Council Bio Presentation Shin Koyamada Actor & Producer; CEO of Shinca Group; Chairman of Koyamada International Foundation(KIF); National Board of Directors of Sister Cities International(SCI) Bio Presentation Aaron Wodin-Schwartz Vice President of Public Policy and Public Affairs, Brand USA Bio Presentation The reception featured an 8K projector from Japan, which is the most advanced technologically of its kind. It showed various scenes of day to day life in Japan. -courtesy of the Embassy of Japan and the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, Japan

JITTI Journal July 2023 Back to All JITTI Journals July 2023 Feature Article Japanese Government Initiatives for Inbound Tourism Recovery by Hirokazu Nishikawa Introduction Last October, during the Ministerial Conference on the Promotion of Tourism presided over by the Prime Minister, the government decided on a new "Policy Package for a Full-Scale Recovery of Inbound Travel." The government will mobilize all relevant ministries and agencies to implement intensive measures with the aim of achieving inbound consumption of over 5 trillion yen. The pre-Covid target was to achieve 15 trillion yen in inbound travel spending by 2030, and although the target has been reset to about one-third of the same amount, the government intends to take advantage of the weak yen to achieve the same amount as quickly as possible. 　 In this report, I would like to provide an overview of the package. Contents of the Package The package has the following four pillars, which are listed below along with specific examples of each. (1) Providing special experiences Promote the provision of special experiences and limited-time-only activities throughout the country, such as the limited-opening of Himeji Castle's keep, which is a World Heritage site. The provision of special experiences and limited-time-only initiatives will be promoted in every corner of Japan. Other examples include the opening of the interior of the five-story pagoda at Myooin Temple in Hiroshima Prefecture and the opening of the Shosoin Temple in Nara Prefecture to the public (both are designated national treasures). Myooin Five-Story Pagoda 【 Reference 】 国宝　明王院 オフィシャルホームページ ( chisan.net ) Shosoin Temple 【 Reference 】 正倉院 - 東大寺 ( todaiji.or.jp ) (2) Providing new experiences that take advantage of the charms of nature Promote the provision of new content, such as adventure tourism, which refers to activities that allow visitors to experience nature. In national parks, promote nighttime use, etc., in order to expand the use of these parks. Nighttime walking event in Akan-Mashu National Park 【 Reference 】 KAMUY LUMINA ( カムイルミナ ) (3) Promote events as a hook to attract visitors Combine tourism with art, sports, theme park-related events, etc., to attract visitors from all over Japan. Japanese food and culture, international art festivals, and large-scale international sports events will be utilized. Ghibli Park 【 Reference 】 ジブリパークとは｜ジブリパーク ( ghibli-park.jp ) (4) Strategic promotion, CIQ (Customs, Immigration, Quarantine), etc. Strategically promote the restart of tourism in Japan using social media, TV commercials, etc. Also, promote the improvement of entry points into Japan, including by further upgrading the CIQ system, in preparation for the resumption of international flights. Conclusion According to the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), the number of foreign visitors to Japan in 2022 was approximately 3.83 million, a rapid recovery of more than 15 times compared to the previous year. Although still only 10% of the pre-Covid figure for 2019, further recovery in the number of foreign visitors to Japan is expected, supported by the impact of the yen's depreciation. The content of the package suggests that the Japanese government will develop a tourism strategy that makes the most of Japan's unique characteristics, and we look forward to this and will continue to closely monitor the Japanese government's moves to re-launch tourism. 【Reference】 001583431.pdf ( mlit.go.jp )

In this concluding report on Mobility on Demand in the United States, major U.S. cities that have begun implementing MoD are analyzed for which location has the most ideal factors for their programs to succeed based on a set of quantitative and qualitative requirements. < Back Surface Transportation A Report on Trends of Mobility on Demand in the United States (Part 4) By Daisuke Miyamoto In this concluding report on Mobility on Demand in the United States, major U.S. cities that have begun implementing MoD are analyzed for which location has the most ideal factors for their programs to succeed based on a set of quantitative and qualitative requirements. Download the Report

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

Japanese Government Initiatives for Inbound Tourism Recovery < Back