The year 2026 marks the 30th anniversary of Pokemon and Resident Evil, and Japanese video game content is gaining further momentum worldwide. Many tourists are now learning Japanese or traveling to Japan because of such Japanese culture. The " Orderly Inbound Tourism Promotion Committee " operated by the Public Policy Research Institute, a non-profit organization, conducted interviews with two Chinese-speaking influencers in Nara City and Yamato Koriyama City in Nara Prefecture on April 17 (Fri.) and 18 (Sat.), 2026. They then visited the Nara Prefectural Government on Thursday, May 21, 2026, and paid a courtesy call on Governor Makoto Yamashita. They exchanged opinions on sustainable tourism in harmony with local communities and the possibility of using influencers to disseminate information overseas.
Orderly Inbound Tourism Promotion Committee paid a courtesy visit to Governor Makoto Yamashita of Nara Prefecture
On April 17 and 18, 2026, Chinese-speaking influencers Tu Yu Meng (Weibo) and Midori (rednote ) conducted interviews in Nara City and Yamato Koriyama City for the Nara Prefectural Project.
微博(Weibo)This project was implemented with the aim of communicating overseas the charms of Nara Prefecture's history, culture, food, and local resources, as well as to disseminate information on the often problematic tourism etiquette and local culture.
Based on these efforts...
- Orderly Inbound Tourism Promotion Committee Kenzaburo Ikeda, President
- Advisor company XM Corporation Yuka Izumiyama, Director
- Director, Advertising and Media Department, Advisory Company XM Corporation, Chien Chien Zhang
and others visited the Nara Prefectural Government and paid a courtesy call to Governor Makoto Yamashita.
They expressed their appreciation for the cooperation of Nara Prefecture and exchanged opinions on the promotion of "orderly inbound tourism," sustainable tourism in harmony with local communities, and the possibility of using influencers to disseminate information to overseas visitors.
President Kenzaburo Ikeda: "We were able to convey the charm of Nara, local culture, and tourism etiquette.
Kenzaburo Ikeda, Chairman of the Orderly Inbound Tourism Promotion Committee, commented that since Nara is one of Japan's most popular tourist destinations, it will become increasingly important for inbound tourism to be in harmony with the local culture and lifestyle. He said that Nara will continue its efforts to realize "orderly inbound tourism" by disseminating information on Nara's attractions, local culture, and tourism etiquette through cooperation with local communities and influencers.
President Fumihiro Sato: "This is an opportunity to rethink how tourism should be in harmony with the local community.
Mr. Fumihiro Sato, President of the advisory company XM Corporation, who attended the courtesy call, commented that through this project, the influencers were able to convey Nara's charms and unique values, including local culture and tourism etiquette, to the rest of the world. He said that the project also provided an opportunity to rethink how tourism should be in harmony with the region from the perspective of a region visited by many tourists, and that they will continue to work toward the realization of sustainable inbound tourism in the future.
Toward a Future of Harmony between Region and Tourism
As depopulation of the region continues to increase, tourism is expected to become a major pillar of regional revitalization, and efforts are underway to attract a diverse range of tourists from Japan and abroad. At the same time, however, issues such as friction with local residents and etiquette problems have come to the fore. Therefore, understanding the culture and values of each region and walking around while experiencing its unique attractions will not only avoid problems, but will also enrich the trip itself.
We will deepen cooperation with local communities and promote local attractions from various angles. The efforts of the Orderly Inbound Tourism Promotion Committee will continue to play an increasingly important role toward a future of harmony between regions and tourism.