Latest news with #HokutoAsano
Daily Mirror
23-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
One of world's friendliest countries plans to charge tourists more than locals
In 2024, Japan set a new tourism record as visitors from across the globe flocked to the island nation. The rising number of tourists has led to a "new challenge" One of the friendliest countries in the world is planning to charge tourists more than locals in restaurants. Japan is developing a strategy to manage its booming tourist industry. In 2024, the country smashed its previous tourism records as international travellers swarmed the archipelago. The nation was voted Best Country for a second year running in last year's Condé Nast Traveller Readers' Choice Awards, and it secured sixth place as the friendliest country globally with an impressive score of 93.25. Despite these accolades, Japan faces a "new challenge" due to the overwhelming tide of tourists. Hokuto Asano, first secretary at the Embassy of Japan in Washington, DC, told Fox News Digital of the challenges facing the country. "Overtourism is a new challenge for the Japanese community. So we need to pursue how to create a win-win relationship [between] Japanese local people and foreign tourists." A potential solution cited in the report may involve a "two-tier" pricing model at eateries, theme parks, and attractions, placing a higher price tag on those coming from abroad. READ MORE: Tiny unspoilt Greek island which rivals bustling Santorini and Mykonos Mr Asano remarked: "The price of the restaurant, sushi restaurant in Japan, even hotel - the price is also increasing. So Japanese people sometimes say [that] Japanese people cannot enjoy the domestic tourism. But there should be a difference in the taste or preference between Japan and Japanese people and international tourists. There should be a difference in the price and also product or service toward the international tourists." Mr Asano noted that last year's tourist figures hit 36 million, revealing that Japan aims to almost double its visitor numbers within the next five years, reports the Express. Across the world, a number of countries are grappling with the booming tourism trade and attempting to work out how best to manage demand. Earlier this month, protesters hit the streets in nations across Europe, demanding legislative changes to lessen the impact of tourism on locals. READ MORE: Brits avoid Spain after protests and warn 'we won't go if we're not wanted' While the campaingers in Spain have been grabbing most of the headlines, there is a growing overtourism protest movement in Italy. At the start of June campaigners came out in full force in Venice. The watery city has been at the sharp edge of overtourism issues for years, with locals selling up and moving out of the limited supply of homes on the central island, and holiday let landlords moving in. 'We've been emphasising for a couple of years now that there are more tourist beds than registered residents,' said Remi Wacogne of Ocio, a civic observatory on housing. 'Tourism is physically and practically taking over homes.' In Venice, a couple of dozen protesters unfurled a banner calling for a halt to new hotel beds in the lagoon city in front of two recently completed structures, one in the popular tourist destination's historic centre where activists say the last resident, an elderly woman, was kicked out last year. The upcoming wedding of Amazon founder Jezz Bezos in the city has also become a point of tension among overtourism protesters.
New York Post
19-06-2025
- Business
- New York Post
Japan instituting 'two-tier' pricing to attractions as overtourism concerns mount
Japan broke a record for tourism in 2024, with people from all over the world visiting the island nation. But the country has even bigger tourist goals for the years ahead. Hokuto Asano, first secretary at the Embassy of Japan in Washington, D.C., told Fox News Digital in an interview that with the influx of tourists, the country is working to meet demand. 'Overtourism is a new challenge for the Japanese community,' said Asano. 'So we need to pursue how to create a win-win relationship [between] Japanese local people and foreign tourists.' News outlets have reported on a 'two-tier' pricing system at restaurants, theme parks and other attractions, with tourists charged more for services and experiences than Japanese citizens are charged. 'The price of the restaurant, sushi restaurant in Japan, even hotel — the price is also increasing,' Asano said. 'So Japanese people sometimes say [that] Japanese people cannot enjoy the domestic tourism.' He added, 'But there should be a difference in the taste or preference between Japan and Japanese people and international tourists. There should be a difference in the price and also product or service toward the international tourists.' 3 Mount Fuji pictured in the background as people walk along a bridge connecting stores at a popular outlet shopping centre in the city of Gotemba, Shizuoka prefecture, some 100 kms southwest of Tokyo. AFP via Getty Images Between Jan. 1 and Nov. 30, nearly 33.4 million travelers visited Japan, according to the country's government site projections. Nearly three million Americans visited the country in 2024. Asano said the number of visitors last year ended up reaching 36 million and that Japan has a plan to nearly double the number of visitors in the next five years. 'In 2030, we want [to reach] the goal of 60 million people,' said Asano. 3 Mount Fuji pictured in the background as people walk along a bridge connecting stores at a popular outlet shopping centre in the city of Gotemba, Shizuoka prefecture, some 100 kms southwest of Tokyo. Getty Images The sacred Mount Fuji is climbed by 200,000 to 300,000 people every summer, according to the Japan National Tourism Organization. Lately, however, Mt. Fuji has been pegged 'trash mountain' due to serious overcrowding and garbage atop the world-famous landmark. Asano said tourists have reported that there are not many trashcans in Japan — but he pointed to the limited number as a safety measure to 'counter terrorism.' 3 People crowd a street in Kabukicho, Tokyo's red-light district, Japan on June 4, 2025. FRANCK ROBICHON/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock 'We need to share our manner[s] [with those who] visit tourist destinations,' said Asano. 'So we would like [them to] understand [about] bringing back his or her own trash,' he said. Asano suggested that tourists need to be more respectful when visiting Japan. 'We need to share our values with international tourists,' he said. When it comes to tourists in Japan, it's not just about 'the trip,' he said. 'It's a good means to share culture and values. We would like international tourists to know more [about] Japan in terms of culture or sacred places or specific places,' he said. Asano added, 'Maybe we can share how to enjoy those sacred places or share our tradition.'
Fox News
19-06-2025
- Fox News
Tourism surge creates 'new challenge' as visitors transform Mt. Fuji into 'trash mountain'
Japan broke a record for tourism in 2024, with people from all over the world visiting the island nation. But the country has even bigger tourist goals for the years ahead. Hokuto Asano, first secretary at the Embassy of Japan in Washington, D.C., told Fox News Digital in an interview that with the influx of tourists, the country is working to meet demand. (See the video at the top of this article.) "Overtourism is a new challenge for the Japanese community," said Asano. "So we need to pursue how to create a win-win relationship [between] Japanese local people and foreign tourists." News outlets have reported on a "two-tier" pricing system at restaurants, theme parks and other attractions, with tourists charged more for services and experiences than Japanese citizens are charged. "The price of the restaurant, sushi restaurant in Japan, even hotel — the price is also increasing," Asano said. "So Japanese people sometimes say [that] Japanese people cannot enjoy the domestic tourism." He added, "But there should be a difference in the taste or preference between Japan and Japanese people and international tourists. There should be a difference in the price and also product or service toward the international tourists." Between Jan. 1 and Nov. 30, nearly 33.4 million travelers visited Japan, according to the country's government site projections. Nearly three million Americans visited the country in 2024. Asano said the number of visitors last year ended up reaching 36 million and that Japan has a plan to nearly double the number of visitors in the next five years. "In 2030, we want [to reach] the goal of 60 million people," said Asano. The sacred Mount Fuji is climbed by 200,000 to 300,000 people every summer, according to the Japan National Tourism Organization. Lately, however, Mt. Fuji has been pegged "trash mountain" due to serious overcrowding and garbage atop the world-famous landmark. Asano said tourists have reported that there are not many trashcans in Japan — but he pointed to the limited number as a safety measure to "counter terrorism." "We need to share our manner[s] [with those who] visit tourist destinations," said Asano. "So we would like [them to] understand [about] bringing back his or her own trash," he said. Asano suggested that tourists need to be more respectful when visiting Japan. "We need to share our values with international tourists," he said. When it comes to tourists in Japan, it's not just about "the trip," he said. "It's a good means to share culture and values. We would like international tourists to know more [about] Japan in terms of culture or sacred places or specific places," he said. Asano added, "Maybe we can share how to enjoy those sacred places or share our tradition."
