First conference held on over-tourism countermeasures

Sep 06, 2023 | News On Japan

TOKYO - Due to a rapid increase in domestic and international tourists, the government has convened its first-ever countermeasure conference to prevent the negative impacts of 'over-tourism' such as traffic congestion and noise on the lives of local residents.

Several tourist destinations currently suffer from issues such as excessive overcrowding on public transport or unauthorized entry into private property, which not only affects the locals but also travellers' satisfaction.

To address these challenges, Wednesday's conference involved relevant government agencies, including the Japan Tourism Agency.

Discussions covered initiatives such as signage promoting proper etiquette, understandable to foreign visitors, and systems to visualize congestion, among others. Examples of overseas practices, such as implementing advance reservations and crowd size limitations, were also presented.

The conference concluded that previous measures have not been sufficient and, taking into account the preferences of local regions, plans to formulate more effective measures will be made in the upcoming autumn."

Source: 日テレNEWS

More Travel Disruptions Expected as Typhoon No. 6 Moves Toward Mainland Japan

[updated 08:00 a.m.] Airlines and railway operators are warning of further transportation disruptions across Japan on June 2nd as Typhoon No. 6 moves west of Amami after passing Okinawa, bringing very heavy rain to the Pacific side of western Japan and raising the possibility of torrential downpours in Kyushu if a linear rainband forms.
Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways are expected to cancel around 200 flights on June 2nd, mainly on routes serving Okinawa and Kyushu, affecting more than 10,000 passengers, while JR Central has warned that the Tokaido Shinkansen could face sudden suspensions, destination changes or cancellations from the night of June 2nd through June 3rd due to heavy rain or strong winds.

Typhoon No. 6 Triggers Evacuations in Amami as It Heads Toward Eastern Japan

[updated 05:00 a.m.] Typhoon No. 6 was located about 90 kilometers west of Amami City in Kagoshima Prefecture as of 5 a.m. on June 2nd, bringing severe weather to the Amami region and prompting evacuation advisories for approximately 83,000 residents, while forecasters warned of dangerous rain, strong winds, and possible flooding across a wide area of Japan through June 3rd. Rainfall totals over the next 48 hours could exceed 300 millimeters in some areas along the Pacific side of western Japan.

Prime Minister Takaichi Holds Phone Talks With Iranian President

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi held a telephone conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on June 1st, urging Iran to demonstrate maximum flexibility in its ongoing discussions with the United States and expressing hope that an agreement on the nuclear issue can be reached as soon as possible.

Koizumi Rebuts Accusations of 'New Militarism' at Security Forum

Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi strongly rejected accusations that Japan is embracing "new militarism," describing such claims as false while delivering a speech at a major regional security conference in Singapore on May 31st.

Bear Sighting Hoax Posts Trigger Police Investigation in Aomori

A series of false bear sighting reports posted to an online alert system operated by Aomori Prefecture has disrupted schools, prompted a police investigation, and raised concerns about the growing impact of misinformation on public safety.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Politics NEWS

Koizumi Rebuts Accusations of 'New Militarism' at Security Forum

Koizumi Meets U.S. Counterpart Hegseth

Defense Minister Shinji Koizumi met with U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on May 30th while visiting Singapore for the Asian security forum known as the Shangri-La Dialogue, as the two sides discussed ways to further strengthen the Japan-U.S. alliance and expand defense cooperation.

Takaichi Pushes for North Korea Summit

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi renewed her determination to resolve the long-standing abduction issue involving North Korea on May 30th, declaring her willingness to pursue a summit meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un as families of the victims gathered in Tokyo to demand the return of their loved ones.

Japan, Australia and New Zealand Hold First Trilateral Defense Ministers’ Meeting

Japan's Defense Minister Shinji Koizumi held the first-ever trilateral meeting with his counterparts from Australia and New Zealand, where the three sides exchanged views on defense cooperation, including the potential export of the Maritime Self-Defense Force's latest frigate design.

Japan Passes Law to Raise Foreign Resident Fees

Japan has enacted legislation allowing a sharp increase in fees charged to foreign residents for immigration procedures, with the cost of applying for permanent residence expected to rise from the current 10,000 yen to around 200,000 yen once the new system is implemented.

Vote Disparity in Japan Reaches 2.274 Times

Japan's declining population is set to trigger another review of single-seat electoral districts for the House of Representatives, with new census data highlighting widening disparities in voter representation and adding momentum to discussions over reducing the number of lawmakers.

Hospital Cancellation Fee Policy Sparks Confusion Ahead of June Launch

Health Minister Kenichiro Ueno apologized on May 29th after confusion spread over a new policy that will allow some medical institutions to charge cancellation fees for missed appointments from June, stressing that the fees will apply only in limited cases.

Japan-Philippines Agree on 'Comprehensive Strategic Partnership'

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi met Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on May 28th, agreeing to upgrade bilateral ties as the two countries deepen security cooperation in response to growing regional and global challenges.

< 2 3 4 5 >