point was not as large as it is today), went to see France. Returning with the instinctive feeling that travel would become a successful industry, they suggested it at a meeting of the Tokyo Chamber of Commerce, formerly the Tokyo Industrial Association.
Drawing on their experiences of France, predominantly of Paris, they discussed why the capital was so thriving. They thought it was because the French had created a city full of attractions for people from foreign countries, and they concluded that it was the foreign tourists who made Paris so prosperous. They also believed that Japan too would be able to obtain the same level of prosperity in this way. However, on suggesting this to the Tokyo Industrial Association, they were not accepted favorably. The Japanese at this time had no concept of the travel industry as a profitable business, or even that it could pay. Under a policy for building up a rich country with a strong army, most people thought that the way forward was by manufacturing materials, and their attempt to introduce the idea of a service industry failed.
As a result, the Kihinkai only remained as a sort of friendship society until it later disbanded. Nevertheless, it represented the nearest thing Japan had to a Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In those days services which are now managed by the Ceremonial Section of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were not in existence, and the Japanese government had no knowledge of how to treat foreign VIPs, including Prime Ministers when they visited Japan. Since the members of the Kihinkai all had experience of foreign countries, most of the foreign diplomats visiting Japan were treated in accordance with their advice.
Although the ultimate goal of the Kihinkai was establishing a profitable travel business, their activities were actually confined to diplomacy. In the absence of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the ideas of the Kihinkai were used to welcome foreign VIPs, and they organized most of the official events in Japan. The origin of international tourism and related ideas can probably be seen in their practice. One was old-fashioned diplomacy or association and the other was the reward they received for the services they offered.
Thus the Kihinkai was mainly involved with diplomacy to the end, but in 1912 around the time of its disbandment, the previously mentioned JTB was established. This JTB was the organization called the Japan Tourist Bureau, which was taken over by the Japan Travel Bureau, or present JTB. The foundation of the former JTB, of which 'T' meant 'tourist,' was proposed by the Ministry of Railways, which was later reorganized into National Railways, Nihon Yusen, Teikoku Hotel and Minami Manchu Railway, all of which were transportation and accommodation facilities involved with travel. I assume that by this point, the concept of travel as a profitable business must have prevailed.
Nevertheless, I cannot help feeling that the establishment of the former JTB was the result of national policy. They thought that the travel industry should be operated by both national and local governments and emphasis was placed on the etiquette of treating foreign visitors. In line with national policy, the JTB was, at first, a public organization, therefore it took time to gain independence as a profitable business. Despite it being founded in 1912, private company status was not achieved until as late as the 1930s.
In reference to travel within the country. Japan has a domestic travel industry with a long history. As many of you may know, the origin of Japan's travel industry is said to be the 'Oshi' in Mie Prefecture, who organized visit to Ise. They provided travelers with transportation facilities and services as well as arranging lodgings for them. The core element for the travel and tourism industry has always been the offering of comfort and a friendly service, and this was grasped by the Oshi in Ise.
It is said that there were as many as 600-700 Oshi in the mid 18th century. An oshi was in charge of various regions, where they had hundreds or even thousands of client families. According to one calculation, the client families totaled 4.19 million in the mid 18th century. It is
