Washington Post: "Japan Is Open For Business"

The Washington Post has posted an article, "Japan Is Open For Business" in which several questions are posed along with answers.



Here's two of them:

Please update us on recovery efforts and how they are affecting tourism.



We have to correct the misunderstanding that Americans and other people have about Japan. Most parts of Japan have not been damaged by the earthquake at all. Japan’s a small country compared to the U.S., but it’s not that small. And the Japanese people have been working very hard after the earthquake to revive their lives. Most highways, railroads and airports have been reconstructed, so you don’t have difficulty traveling in Japan. Even in damaged areas you can travel, with a few exceptions.



How has the disaster affected tourism?



Visitors have been declining dramatically. It is very serious now, and the Japanese government is committed to a kind of campaign in which we’re insisting that Japan is open for business and travel. In autumn, the season in Japan is the best. Most of Japan is quite safe, and even surrounding areas, except for 20 kilometers (12.4 miles) around nuclear facilities, are now safe. We’d like as many foreigners as possible to go to Tohoku (the region where Fukushima is located). It has a lot of nice scenery and hot springs and people are very kind.

I have to agree on visiting Japan in autumn. I've been there twice during autumn and the fall colors provide a beautiful backdrop. Plus, the weather is very pleasant. I would also recommend visiting in the spring as well, especially when the cherry blossoms are in bloom. Again, the springtime weather also makes for a pleasant vacation.



To read the full article, go here.