With a business volume equaling or even surpassing that of oil or ‎food, tourism is one of the most significant commercial sectors worldwide.

Japan, which boasts a rich history and culture, internationally recognized cuisine and diverse natural attractions, is starting to benefit from the growing demand in this sector.

Since its first days in power, the current administration has been determined to turn tourism into an engine of growth. It designates tourism as a priority sector in the Japan Revitalization Strategy, Prime Minister Abe’s flagship policy to return the country to a sustainable growth path. The Prime Minister himself set up and heads the Ministerial Council on the Promotion of Japan as a Tourism-Oriented Country. Expectations are very high, particularly with regard to revitalizing Japan’s regional economies.

The choice of Tokyo as the host of the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Summer Games and the government’s efforts to introduce integrated resorts to Japan are two of the most significant developments in the sector, and are likely to create numerous opportunities in the coming years.

GR Japan has followed the developments in this sector closely for many years, and has developed a strong network and good understanding of policy priorities and opportunities. We have worked on a number of Olympics-related projects and are directly involved in advocacy and policy recommendations for the tourism sector overall.