日本財団 図書館


WTO Key Note Speech

 

"HOW to Attract Japanese Tourists to the Silk Road"

 

Kotaro KOGI

Vice President, Executive Director, Global Youth Bureau Co.,Ltd.

 

1) History of overseas travel in Japan

The liberalization of Japan's tourism industry started in 1964 with the Tokyo Olympics. Back then, it was still only 20 years after World War II, and Japan was still economically immature in comparison to other developed countries of the world. Individual incomes were still low and overseas travelers faced restrictive currency limits. In 1964,therefore, the number of travelers abroad was only 128,000.

With the development of the Japanese economy, the number of general travelers taking trips abroad has increased each year. By the end of 1997, approximately 16.8 million people were going overseas. It is said that Japan's era of the great voyage is now here.

・ 1964 Liberalization of overseas travel started.

・ 1980 The 2nd oil shock.

・ Since 1991, with the exception of the Gulf War year, overseas traveler numbers have continued to increase.

・ 1997 Travelers abroad number approx. 16.8 million. However consumer spending has dropped due to Japan's severe economic situation.

 

2) Japanese people's overseas travel styles and their changes.

After 33 years since the liberalization of overseas travel, many Japanese have now experienced travel abroad. Through business and tourism, they have come into contact with many different cultures and countries. In consequence, overseas lifestyles have brought about changes in the way that Japanese people live. In post World War? Japan, the country has changed a great deal. Today, with a population of 120 million, and with average life expectancies at 77 years old for men and 83 years old for women, (according to Ministry of Health and Welfare data in 1997), the lifestyles of older people is undergoing enormous change.

 

・ Normal retiring age of the Japanese is 60.

・ People receive a retirement allowance and pension from between age 60 and 65.

・ Personal assets (deposits) of the Japanese equals 1200 trillion yen.

 

 

 

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