In 2003, the Japan Travel Agency and Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) set the goal to host 10 million foreign visitors in a calendar year. The Visit Japan campaign finally reached the mark in December, when Mr. Praphan Pha Tra Prasit and Mrs. Yu Pha Da Pha Tra Prasit of Bangkok landed at Narita International Airport. Akihiro Ota, the minister of land, infrastructure, transport and tourism for the airport, presented the couple with a commemorative plaque and gift, and other officials celebrated with a special ceremony.
Since Visit Japan’s launch more than 10 years ago, various events have impacted tourism totals, from the global economic recession to the devastating earthquake and tsumani that hit the country in 2011. Such setbacks have made reaching the campaign’s goal of hosting 10 million visitors an even more special achievement.
