Posts published in “Travel”

Positive Effect of Inbound Tourism in Japan

Positive Effect of Inbound Tourism in Japan

February 28, 2024

By Riho Bando

These days, you can find foreign tourists everywhere in Japan. They are enjoying Japanese sightseeing spots, their lunch and buying souvenirs. It makes Japanese people happy to see foreigners are in good mood. Furthermore, foreign visitors make good impacts to Japan. They affect Japanese economy, international relationships and regionalism.
        One important effect of inbound tourism in Japan is consumption by foreign tourists. Domestic consumption of Japan is decreasing because of declining birthrate and aging population. Consumption by foreign tourists supports Japanese economy. According to Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (2023), foreign tourists spent over 1.3 trillion yen between July and September in 2023. 1.3 trillion is higher than the Japanese total vegetable exports to the U.S. in 2022 (Ministry of Finance, Japan, 2022).
        Next great effect of inbound tourism is international goodwill. Having experience of Japanese society and culture will improve foreigners’ image of Japan. Not only people who visited Japan, but also his/her friends and colleagues will have a good image to Japan after they hear great experiences of trip in Japan. According to a survey that is done by Dentsu between December 2022 and January 2023, the amount of population who like Japan and who had visited Japan is larger than the people who had never visited Japan. It shows that visiting Japan helps to make a good impression for Japan.
        Finally, inbound tourism gives great effect to rural areas in Japan. While for domestic tourists, Japanese rural scenery would not be interesting, for international tourists, they offer unordinary experiences. Foreigners perceive local sights as wonderful tourism resources. Yagasaki (2020) contend that after local residents receiving the evaluations, they feel more attached to their region and get civic pride. And cultivating attachment and civic pride of local residents will be a trigger to start tourism-based community development. This development leads to revitalization of the area. Tourist-friendly area will be visited by more tourists, therefore the region has chance to develop more and more. As a result, inbound tourism causes regional vitalization. In the book that is published by Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Case examples of tourism development, the case of development in Nagano prefecture is shown. The snow monkey in there had gotten an attention by inbound tourists. Now, many foreign people love monkey in hot spring with snow and Nagano prefecture succeed to grow.
        To summarize, foreign tourists grow Japanese economy, enlarge better impression and revitalize rural areas. Japan must take these advantages of inbound tourism. However, as you know, you must not leave promotion of inbound tourism to the Japanese government. Think about what you can do for magnificent Japanese future.

References
Ministry of Finance, Japan. (2022). Trade statistics of Japan. Retrieved from https://jpn01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.customs.go.jp%2Ftoukei%2Fshinbun%2Ftrade-st%2F2022%2F2022_117.pdf&data=05%7C02%7C%7C2992121ac60d47e186bc08dc1eedf0ba%7Cf11434e8abcf41f48154a9b2608dcd42%7C0%7C0%7C638419254508685372%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=b%2FwCaP4cxqn8ZG5h%2FTiPmGNEOJWAgPCabfsqhSs0iZE%3D&reserved=0
Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. (2023). Survey of foreign visitors consumption in Japan. Retrieved from https://jpn01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mlit.go.jp%2F&data=05%7C02%7C%7C2992121ac60d47e186bc08dc1eedf0ba%7Cf11434e8abcf41f48154a9b2608dcd42%7C0%7C0%7C638419254508692843%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=zL%2FfMO08nrvWFneWJ7rPX9OGtq%2FXvWgWU0C5Ys%2FwPQc%3D&reserved=0
kankocho/siryou/toukei/content/001634982.pdf
Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. (2018). Targeting inbound visitors, rebuild and revitalization of hot spring resort using fund. Case examples of tourism development, 116-117. Retrieved from https://jpn01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mlit.go.jp%2F&data=05%7C02%7C%7C2992121ac60d47e186bc08dc1eedf0ba%7Cf11434e8abcf41f48154a9b2608dcd42%7C0%7C0%7C638419254508698375%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=cydw71tJLeOfibVSIRVizA0DxJntIiJjuMOwz3Cqvfg%3D&reserved=0
common/001237080.pdf
Web dentsu-ho. (2023). Is the driving force for resuscitate of inbound Japanese soft power? Latest need for visiting Japan and direction of promotion. Retrieved from https://jpn01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdentsu-ho.com%2Farticles%2F8759&data=05%7C02%7C%7C2992121ac60d47e186bc08dc1eedf0ba%7Cf11434e8abcf41f48154a9b2608dcd42%7C0%7C0%7C638419254508702273%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=jG95hQ3V9bUvqdJRpeaHuQRfdEtwAqdDuv6tPWNj6D4%3D&reserved=0
Yagasaki, N. (2020). Significance, trends and issues of tourism by foreign tourists visiting Japan. International Association of Traffic and Safety Sciences Review, 45(1), 6-17. doi: 10.24572/iatssreview.45.1_6

Positive Effect of Inbound Tourism in Japan

Positive Effect of Inbound Tourism in Japan

February 28, 2024

By Kyoko Abe

The COVID-19 pandemic is becoming finished, and the number of international tourists in Japan is expected to increase by 21 million people in 2023. There are many reasons why foreign tourists choose Japan as their trip place, which are weaker yen, delicious foods, and a clean and safe environment. More and more foreigners visit Japan, and the government of Japan expects to create economic effects from the Inbound industry. There are three inbound benefits, which are economic growth, the increase in demand for Japanese products, and the improvement of Japan’s image.
        Firstly, inbound tourism raises Japan’s economy. The consumption amount of foreigners visiting Japan has greatly increased. According to Japan’s National Tourism Bureau, 3.47 trillion yen was consumed in 2015, which means that the consumption amount occupies 0.6 percent of GDP and 1 percent of individual consumption, so the contribution should be appropriated in the trend of decreasing the consumers population. Also, the Inbound industry is the second highest industry with export value after the automobile, so the Inbound industry is one of the main export industries. Moreover, the inbound industry promotes other industries like hotels, transportation, production, and restaurants. For example, the construction of hotels is increased, because more foreigners are visiting Japan, which leads to creating profit for the construction industry, restaurants around hotels, and transportation will be more useful for visitors. The effective benefits of inbound tourism raising profit and promoting other industries lead to improvement Japan’s economy.
        Secondly, the demand for Japanese products is increased in foreign countries by inbound tourism. Foreign tourists enjoy purchasing Japanese products like electronics, snacks, and clothes. They tend to repurchase these products in their home country. According to Kanko Hakuho (2018), the consumption amount that tourists repurchase Japanese products after they come back is 630 billion yen. Also, Mizuho Information Research Institute (2016) revealed that more than 60 percent of Chinese, Thai, and Taiwanese who tripped to Japan bought the same Japanese products again in their country. The situation they buy the products again in their country leads to an increase in the amounts of Japan’s exportation. Also, the popularity of Japanese products has spread, and more Japanese restaurants are offered in foreign countries.
        Finally, the Japanese image of foreigners become better, and Japanese residents are proud of their region. Inbound tourism has effects not only Japan’s economy and products but also a positive image of Japan. According to Genron NPO (2018), the research on the Chinese impression of Japan showed that overall, 34.9% is a positive impression against 63.3% is a negative one. 34.9% is positive impression by Chinese who have never visited Japan. However, Chinese who have visited Japan have more positive impressions about 74.3%, which means Chinese impressions had been changed from negative to positive by visiting Japan. Also, the tendency is also same among Korean. Positive impression of Japan among Korean who have visited Japan is three times higher than Korean who have never visited. Inbound has the power to change public opinion towards Japan. Also, Taniguchi (2012) argued that the more foreign visitors interact with residents, the more they know the attractions of the region they visit, and the satisfaction and the place attachment become better. Also, residents rearise the charm of their local nature and resources, so they have a positive attitude to regional activation and spread the local charms more to foreign visitors. Throughout inbound tourism, both foreigners and Japanese residents realize the local charm and increase the place attachment.
        In this way, inbound tourism has three effects in Japan. Throughout inbound tourism, Japan’s economy is raised which increases the consumption of foreigners leading to a high GDP of Japan and promoting other industries. Moreover, the demand for Japanese products has increased in foreign countries. It expands Japan’s exportation and spreads the popularity of Japanese products. Also, public opinion towards Japan become better and the place attachment among both foreign tourists and residents is increased by inbound tourism. Inbound tourism has these effective aspects, so it is expected to support the Japanese economy and society in the future.

Is The Death Penalty a Just Punishment?

February 21, 2023

By Hazuki Kajiume

Is the death penalty a just punishment? The answer to this question is divided. However, the death penalty has more demerits than merits. The following is a discussion of the problems of capital punishment.
The first problem is that the death penalty can cause irreparable human rights violations by misjudgment. Since criminal trials are conducted by human beings, it is impossible to eliminate the possibility of misjudgment. The death penalty is life threatening and should never be executed by misjudgment. According to public opinion polls by the Ministry of Justice in Japan (2020), the most common reason for demanding the abolition was the opinion that “if there is a mistake in the trial, it cannot be withdrawn.” Therefore, the death penalty is irreversible once it is executed, so the death penalty should be abolished as there is a possibility of misjudgment in the trial.
The Second is that the existence of the death penalty affects treaties with other countries. According to Amnesty International, 142 of the world’s 198 countries have abolished the death penalty in law and practice, 56 have retained the death penalty. Of these only 20 countries, including Japan, carry out executions. Of the 36 OECD member countries, only the United States and Japan carried out executions in 2019, but the number of states that abolished or suspended executions in the Unites States is increasing year by year. Abolishment of the death penalty is now an international trend. According to the same article, the existence of the death penalty is an obstacle to concluding treaties with countries that have abolished the death penalty. In fact, Japan has concluded extradition treaties only in two countries, the United States and South Korea, where the death penalty exists. Since few countries maintain the death penalty, succession to the death penalty affects exchanges with other countries.
The Final problem is that the death penalty is killing people. The death penalty allows the law to take the live of a person, which is an inhumane and grave violation of human rights. All people have the right to live. This right to live is the fundamental and most important right of human beings and should never be taken away. Also, this right is specified in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which stipulates the prohibition of torture and cruel punishment by public officials, but the death penalty violates this clause. The Supreme Court ruling in 1948 ruled that the death penalty was not a cruel punishment, but now that times are changing and the death penalty must be reviewed again, because the way of thinking and social trends are different between the times when there was war and today. Therefore, even a nation cannot be allowed to kill people.
As mentioned above, the death penalty has many bad aspects. From the perspective of public opinion, the world, and the Constitution, the death penalty is not very good. It is necessary to reconsider whether capital punishment is indispensable.

Ways for Study Abroad Students to Overcome Culture Shock

Ways for Study Abroad Students to Overcome Culture Shock

August 24, 2022

By Hina Inoue

In today’s globalized world, it became common for students to experience studying abroad. Study abroad is a great opportunity for students to broaden their thinking. However, there are times when students fail to understand cultural differences and they experience culture shock. How can students overcome culture shock in foreign countries?

Culture shock is the feeling of severe anxiety when someone is placed in an environment that is very different from the familiar one. They become impatient because they cannot understand what is happening around them. They also feel alienated and blocked out, which can affect their interpersonal relationships. Culture shock can become stressful and lead to long-term negative feelings. Students who study abroad are exposed to many cultural differences. If their culture shock is too great, they may need to give up studying abroad and leave for their home countries.

The first solution to overcoming culture shock is to accept culture shock as a natural consequence of study abroad. Study abroad students¥ are foreigners, and it is natural to feel uncomfortable with the host culture. Culture shock is a stage in the process of adapting to a new culture. Therefore, there is no need to be overly anxious about culture shock. By doing so, the culture that made you feel uncomfortable in a foreign country will become familiar to you before you know it. Eventually, you will be willing to experience and accept the new culture. It is also important to realize that you do not need to accept all the differences. Everything you see is new and shocking, but you don’t have to agree with them. By recognizing that it is natural to experience culture shock and that you don’t need to like everything about the host culture, the stress will be relieved.

The second way to overcome culture shock is to talk to friends and family. Conversation with family members and friends from the same country will relieve the stress of culture shock. This is because even in the midst of a confusing situation in a different culture, people who share the same culture can be a source of comfort. During study abroad, a place where people can vent these anxieties will become a mental refuge for them. It is reassuring to know someone understands your feeling that you are feeling uncomfortable. Talking honestly about your feelings with family and friends can help change the difficult situation.

Culture shock is part of study abroad. But knowing it is possible to overcome culture shock can help students complete their study abroad programs. They can overcome culture shock by understanding that it is natural to experience culture shock and by sharing the feelings of discomfort with friends. Experiencing new cultures makes people anxious, but they also help people grow. Enjoy coping with different cultures by knowing solutions.

Eco-friendly Ulsan

Eco-friendly Ulsan

July 25, 2019

By Hong Ga Eun
University of Ulsan

Have you heard of Ulsan in South Korea? Most Koreans, even people living in Ulsan, often say that Ulsan is only one of the many industrial cities in Korea and that there are not any tourist attractions.

However, this article will show why Ulsan is one of most attractive and environmentally friendly cities in Korea, which will hopefully entice you to come visit us in future.

Ulsan is a special city, which consists of majestic mountains and beautiful beaches. There are seven ranges of mountains in Ulsan namely Mount Gaji, Unmun, Cheonhwang, Sinbul, Yeongchuk, Goheon, and Ganwol.

They are collectively called the “Yeongnam Alps” because they are as attractive as the Alps in Europe. Especially in autumn, Mount Sinbul, is famous for its spectacular eye-catching, golden-silver grass.

Also, Ulsan has two unique beaches, Gangdong and Jujeon (Pebble Beach). These beaches have mongdol, which are round pebbles, instead of sand and these types of beaches are extremely rare.

The sound these mongdol pebbles make as the waves washes against them sounds like a marvelous, harmonious song which people find unforgettable. Another beach, Ganjeolgot, is the place where the sun rises first in Korea.

Ulsan also has one of the leading global automotive manufactures, Hyundai Motors, right in the heart of the city, and offers spectacular tours on site to visitors.

Interestingly, Hyundai recently began to design a bus, which is operated by a hydrogen fuel cell, and has run tests in Ulsan on November 22nd, 2018.

As a result, Ulsan has been officially made the first city in Korea with a hydrogen fuel-cell-powered bus.

Regrettably, in its quest to become more industrialized, the city destroyed many beautiful natural environments and sites like the “Bangudae” Petroglyphs, one of the most important and most worthwhile pre-historic sites in the world.

Thus, by using hydrogen-fuel cell buses, Ulsan is trying to show its commitment in trying to recover and protect nature.

Many people think that Ulsan has fewer places to visit than other cities because it is an industrial city.

However, Ulsan is a beautiful and natural environmentally friendly city and offers more than you can ever imagine.

Ulsan has not only many manufacturing companies, but also it has many charming places to visit. Yes, Korea has many places to travel around like Seoul, Busan, and Jeju Island.

But why not try to take a trip to an unusual place like Ulsan at least once in your life?

Kazan: The Heart of Tartarstan

Kazan: The Heart of Tartarstan

June 24, 2018

Russia is the biggest country in the world. It consists of 85 subjects called areas, republics and regions. I would like to tell you about one of them: Kazan, which I was lucky to visit several months ago.

Kazan is the capital of the Republic of Tatarstan. The city was founded on the bank of the Volga River in 1005. Today, it is one of the biggest cultural, religious and sports centers of Russai.

If you ever decide to visit this place, don’t miss the chance of visiting the Kazan Kremlin, which is the oldest construction in the city. There are a lot of towers and historical monuments on the territory of the Kremlin. But my favorite sight in Kazan is the Kul Sharif Mosque. It is the most beautiful building that I have ever seen!

Another must-see in Kazan is the Temple of All Religions. Unfortunately, you can’t get inside on weekdays. It is open for visitors only on Sundays. But don’t be sorry if you can go there only on weekdays. Enjoy the beauty of the facade. I will impress you, too.

Also Kazan is a sport cit. A lot of international sports events, such as the 2014 World Fencing Championships, the 2015 World Aquatics Championships and many other took place there.

Now Kazan is getting ready to be the host for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

If you would like to relax, go to the Millennium Park. It is a perfect place to escape the city rush and to listen to the sounds of nature. Townspeople and tourists enjoy the trancuility of this peaceful place.

By Daria Gorbacheva
Ural State Pedagogical University

Photograph by exlex via Wikimedia Commons

Jeju Island, Natural Wonder

June 21, 2018

A short distance away from the Korean peninsula is one of the most iconic tourist attractions in Korea. Jeju Island is one of the seven natural wonders of the world, and is renowned for its green open fields and endless blue seas as well it’s “refreshing” powers it bestows on anyone who visits it.

Three of the biggest reasons among many on why you should visit Jeju Island include the following.

First, the natural view of the island is truly beautiful. Jeju-Island has many beaches, but ‘Woel-Jeong Ri beach’ which locates in the northern part of the island is highly recommended. When you first arrive at the beach, you will see colorful benches and a “big stone grandpa” which are famous photo zones located at this beach. At night, the ocean glimmers due to the reflection of the moonlight. You may have been to many beaches before, but many people would agree that this beach is the most beautiful and memorable beach they have ever visited.

Second, there are many delicious foods to eat. Jeju-Island is famous for its fresh seafood and black pork meat. You can eat raw fish at very cheap price in Jeju in the islands eastern market. But the food that comes with my highest recommendation is “Cheonhyehyang”. It is a kind of mandarin like fruit, only much bigger and sweeter. If you taste it once, you will be hooked and will wish that you can eat it again and again.

Third, you can enjoy a lot of activities on the island. This includes horseback riding, hang gliding, and snorkeling. The most joyful thing for me personally about Jeju-Island was solving a maze made with trees and stones. You can race with your friends or family to see who can finish the maze first. Although it may sound easy, it definitely is not that simple and some might even find difficult. However, it comes really recommended that you try it at least once, since it really is loads of fun.

Given these and many other noteworthy reasons, it is thus no surprise why so many people buy a ticket to Jeju-Island when they feel tired or frustrated. Should you ever buy a ticket or spending your money or time traveling to this wonderful island in future I know that you will not regret it.

By Kim Ju Mi, University of Ulsan