Aug 30 (Japan Times) - Travel agencies and transport service companies in Japan are increasingly concerned over the impact from a series of missile launches by North Korea.
"All we can do is gather information" and deal with the situation, said an official at major travel agency Kinki Nippon Tourist Co.
In early August, North Korea announced a plan to launch ballistic missiles over Japan into waters near the U.S. Pacific island of Guam.
The number of passengers on Guam-bound flights of Japan Airlines during Japan's Bon" summer holiday period dropped 3 percent from the year-before level. "It can't be ruled out that the missile threat from North Korea has led to the passenger decrease," a JAL official said.
At leading travel agency JTB Corp., some customers postponed their Guam tours departing during or after the Bon holiday period.
JTB is now starting to receive new reservations for Guam tours. But a company spokesman voiced concern over Tuesday's ballistic missile launch by North Korea, saying it "may slow the pace of recovery" in customer numbers.
The missile fell into the Pacific after flying over the southwestern part of Hokkaido. This came after the reclusive country fired what appeared to be three short-range missiles on Saturday.
Railways, including East Japan Railway Co., temporarily halted part of their train services or took other safety measures on Tuesday following the latest missile firing.
