more organizations working to enhance what has been produced. We must create something similar to the "Welcome Osaka Forum" produced in Osaka on a more extensive scale. However, as it stands, I feel the true spirit of cooperation is still lacking.
Secondly, I am interested in the opinion of Mr. Naisbitt who states that tourism will be the key industry in the 21st century. Despite 10 % of the world's population currently being involved in this industry, the organizational structure of tourism is falling apart. It is remarked that there are two reasons why administrative officials do not take an interest in the tourism industry.
First of all, the industry itself is not clearly defined.
Secondly, the economic impacts of the industry cannot be predicted and there are two reasons for this, the main one being the tipping practice. When we go abroad we must pay tips of around 10 %, which theoretically constitutes an underground economy. The other lies in the statistics which are calculated differently depending on the system the country adopts, thus making large figures such as "some hundred thousand people" or "some hundred million dollars" unreliable. The APTEC and WTO therefore should take the initiative to establish an international standard system to which all private industries involved will also have to conform, offering accurate figures.
Finally, we need a public institution to arrange study tours to various industries and companies, as it is unrealistic to expect the private sector alone to undertake the provision of such unprofitable or free services. From now on, it is necessary for the industrial, public, academic, and private sectors to work together to make such an infrastructure.
Thank you.
Prof. Abe : Thank you. It seems that the more they discuss, the more our three panelists become frustrated, because in their zealous discussion they want to discover a new perspective on the issue. I take it that the problems have now been categorized to some extent and we are narrowing down the problems to essential elements.
Now that all of you have participated together with us by listening for nearly four hours, I would like to turn the tables on you and invite your questions and opinions. Is there anybody who would like to speak?
Please, tell us your name and the affiliation to which you belong.
Unnamed guest : I am a representative of the Osaka branch office promoting the tourism of a country in Asia. First of all. I would like to thank you for inviting me to this symposium.
I agree with Mr. Ido concerning visas. My country has the same problem. Obtaining an entry visa is a difficult and drawn-out process usually taking 15 days, which discourages visitors to Japan. Surely so many days are not necessary. One of the speakers was a university professor from Vietnam but I have heard that he also had a hard time with the acquisition of his visa, even though he was invited to the symposium. This is one of the most serious problems for Asian people who want to travel to Japan.
In addition to this, what he said about the budget of the JNTO is reasonable. I think Japan can attract more people from all over Asia if they have better financial resources. Japan, especially Osaka, has been striving to send more tourists to other Asian countries, and if the Japanese government could raise the budget, such activities would become even more vigorous. Tourism in Japan seems to be an industry without any negative elements, therefore should there be conflicts with other countries, problems are more likely to emerge with the trade of visibles, rather than invisibles such as tourism.
The third speaker Ms. Uehara, seemingly a one-person show in her efforts to change Shiga Prefecture, made me aware of what one can do by oneself. She clarified how each tourist spot should make itself appeal to others, which made me realize the good work she must have done to give foreigners such an incentive to visit Lake
