Japan to Step Up Efforts to Host Int’l Conferences, Biz Events
![](https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/kokudo-kotsu.jpg)
The Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Ministry in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo, in November 2020
17:49 JST, February 4, 2024
Tokyo (Jiji Press)—The Japan Tourism Agency will strengthen its measures, such as introducing a new subsidy program, in fiscal 2024 in a bid to help the country host more international conferences and business events.
The agency will shoulder part of costs of installing communications networks at event venues and developing human resources with know-how on attracting events known as MICE, an acronym for meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions, informed sources said.
An action plan to promote inbound tourism, adopted by the government in May last year, includes a goal for Japan to rank fifth in the world by 2030 in terms of the number of international conferences it hosts, up from 12th in 2022.
Although the number of visitors to Japan has been recovering, the country hosted only 553 international conferences in 2022, sharply down from 3,621 in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic.
The agency will provide subsidies to local governments managing event facilities and businesses to cover half of the costs of introducing communications networks, such as wireless local area networks, at such venues, with the aid amount capped at ¥20 million per project, the sources said.
It will also support the introduction of digital signage to promote paperless meetings, according to the sources.
The agency will also subsidize half of the costs for local organizations in charge of campaigning activities to draw up promotion strategies and take courses on MICE trends, the sources said. The ceiling on the aid will be set at ¥3 million.
"Politics" POPULAR ARTICLE
-
Japan Ministry Concerned Over Same-Sex Couple Receiving City-Issued Resident Certificates Referring to ‘Common-Law Husband’
-
Japan Govt Predicts China’s Forces Could Land on Taiwan Within 1 Week of Enforcing Blockade; Drills Conducted in 2023 Analyzed
-
Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike Wins Third Straight Term; Voters Respond to Achievements in Child Care, Education
-
Incumbent Tokyo Governor Leads as Election Day Approaches; 20% of Survey Respondents Still Undecided
-
Japan, U.S. to Compile Joint Document on Extended Deterrence; Foreign, Defense Ministers to Hold Talks
JN ACCESS RANKING