The government wants to ensure that the positive economic effects of an influx of foreign visitors for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics are felt throughout Japan, according to a draft of a revised action plan on tourism promotion.
The draft, a copy of which was obtained Wednesday by Kyodo News, outlines plans to promote homestays on farms by providing information on the Internet in several languages about host farms.
Low-cost “farmstays” are especially popular among backpackers and students, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.
The government also seeks to double the number of duty-free shops for foreign visitors to around 10,000 by encouraging shops in the countryside to apply for relevant permission. Most duty-free shops in Japan are located in major cities.
Meanwhile, the government’s rule that limits duty-free items to electrical appliances and fashion goods is scheduled to be abolished in October so that all items including food, alcohol and cosmetics can be sold duty-free.
Concerning tourist visas, the draft emphasizes the importance of further deregulation, following last July’s visa waiver for visitors from Malaysia and Thailand.
Japan is set to waive tourist visas for visitors from Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam as well.
The government created the action plan on tourism promotion last year with the aim of drawing 20 million foreign visitors annually by 2020.
The revised action plan will be finalized at a meeting of relevant Cabinet ministers in June.
Gov't looks to ensure tourism boom felt throughout Japan
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