Japan plans to attract 60 million tourists in 2030

Spectators watch a sumo tournament at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo on May 23, 2019. The Japan News/Asia News Network

TOKYO — The Japanese government plans to attract 60 million tourists to Japan in 2030, Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga has announced.

Suga said the government will compile a plan to boost tourism, which has fallen because of the spread of the coronavirus, by the end of the year.

“I want to revive tourism and have [foreign tourists visiting Japan] again,” Suga said.

He also revealed that about 25 million people have taken advantage of the “Go To Travel” tourism campaign, in which he played a leading role, and only 27 people have been infected.

“It proves that travel is not to blame for the spread of infection,” he said.

Regarding the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, he stated, “I would like [the Games] to be proof that humanity has defeated the virus.”

On establishing a digital agency as one of his key policies, he said, “I will transform the economy and society through rapid digitization.”

Suga was also asked about how he felt after being in office for a month, at the Prime Minister’s Office on Friday.

“Everything has gone by so quickly, so I haven’t had time to reflect,” he said. “Starting with lowering mobile phone fees, we will start with what we can to reform the system and let the people see the changes for themselves.”