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The number of Japanese traveling abroad is steadily growing. It stood at
15.3 million in 1995 (1.39 times that in five years ago, and 3.09 times that
in ten years ago). On the other hand, the number of foreign travelers visiting
Japan totaled 3.35 million in the same year. The number remained unchanged or
decreased very slightly for the past few years (Fig.
33, Fig. 34).
Under the circumstances, the "Welcome Plan 21 (the program to double the
number of foreign visitors for international exchange in tourism)" was drawn
up in April 1996 designed to promote international understanding through foreign
visitors (Table 18). For
the advancement of international tourism, the Ministry is promoting international
conventions (Fig. 35), supporting
activities to invite foreign travelers by the Japan National Tourist Organization
(JNTO), and increasing the number of government-registered hotels/inns. The
Ministry is also pushing forward with international cooperation through : international
exchange by way of bilateral consultations on tourism that are held regularly
; and support for activities of the Asia-Pacific Office of the World Tourism
Organization that was established in June 1995.
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