A legal framework in the 2012 National Plan for the development of tourism: activating international tourism

Abstract

The 1963 Basic Law on Tourism was reformed in 2006, with the passing of a basic Law by the Japanese Diet to promote tourism in Japan, which entered into force on January 1st, 2007, and which places tourism as one of the pillars of Japanese politics in this century. This law was implemented by the National Plan for Development of Tourism in Japan that was approved by the Government in 2012. Based on Article 10.4º of this Law, some measures are defined in the basic plan to expand and enhance tourism in Japan, both in regards to domestic and international tourism, as well as measures to improve the quality of tourism in the country.

With regards to international tourism, the goal for 2016 was to reach 18 million visitors and this has been attempted with specific measures aimed at foreigners which are very relevant in this planning, and will be analysed in order to prove their effectiveness in achieving the objectives of the Plan. The markets to which these measures are directed are, especially, the countries of Southeast Asia and other emerging countries, where economic growth is remarkable, together with the European Union, United States and Australia, since travellers coming from these markets plan longer stays and are more willing to spend larger amounts of money.