Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) has implemented a tourism strategy that positions Japan as a global tourism hub, attracting millions of tourists to its cultural and natural landmarks each year, according to the Australia East Asia Forum on February 20. The influx of tourists into major Japanese cities such as Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto has exacerbated the concentration of tourists, leading to a growing perception that there are too many tourists.
As Japan ushers in the recovery of tourism after the end of the pandemic, a new initiative called "Comprehensive Measures to Prevent and Mitigate Overtourism" aims to address the challenges associated with a new wave of tourism, the report said. Its focus is on tackling excessive congestion and rule violations, attracting tourists to regional tourism, and promoting tourism in cooperation with local residents.
The strategy encourages the diversion of tourists from buses to main railway lines, especially in Kyoto. This is consistent with the goal of reducing congestion and recognizing the need for alternative modes of transport. However, Kyoto's railway system is not well developed, so this strategy is challenging.
The initiative's "hands-free travel" – luggage storage and delivery services, which aims to reduce the need for tourists to travel with heavy luggage – shows an innovative idea, but lacks detailed guidance on implementation and expected impact.
Support for cashless transactions in more than 20 regions reflects the diverse needs of international travelers, but there are challenges related to "cash-only" services and language barriers.
Diverting tourists from buses to main rail lines seems to be a promising way to alleviate traffic congestion. Other measures may improve the ease of travel, but may not solve the congestion problem in tourist centers.
Regional tourism promotion initiatives have a great deal to offer in tackling overtourism, with the aim of highlighting the appeal of regional tourist destinations and creating unique tourism experiences across the country. One way to do this is to identify 11 demonstration areas and highlight the promotion of their core values. Creating unique tourism experiences – such as experiencing the spirit of Japan's ancient culture in Tottori and Shimane, as well as enhancing the attractiveness of national parks – demonstrates a commitment to protecting natural assets.
This practice helps divert tourists to lesser-known areas, relieve pressure on crowded tourist centers, and allow remote areas to capture a portion of tourism revenue. The success of these measures will depend on Japan's ability to strike a balance between attracting tourists and ensuring sustainable growth for the local economy.
If the balance is not reached, there will be negative results. The sudden influx of tourists threatens to overwhelm local infrastructure and services, including transportation and waste management, reducing the quality of life for residents. To combat this, Japan should invest in sustainable infrastructure that supports tourism while mitigating environmental impacts. Doing so will not only improve the tourist experience for tourists, but also have a positive impact on the local community.
Overtourism can trigger social tensions, as evidenced by the situation in places like Kyoto, where local residents may feel marginalized in their own cities, leading to conflict and a breakdown of community cohesion. The implementation of regulations and policies to manage the number of tourists, protect cultural and natural heritage, and encourage responsible tourism behaviour is essential to mitigate the negative impacts of tourism.
The measures taken by Japan are an important step towards achieving sustainable tourism. Initiatives such as diverting tourists to other parts of the region, facilitating partnerships with local residents and destination marketing organizations, and adopting innovative solutions all demonstrate positive trajectories. But creating a sustainable tourism industry is an evolving process that requires constant adjustments. These efforts are essential to building a tourism industry that is not only resilient, but also sustainable in the long run for Japan. (Compiled by Yang Xuelei).
*: Refer to the news network.