In 2026, Pokémon and Resident Evil are celebrating their 30th anniversaries, and Japanese game content is seeing further excitement globally.
Today, there are many tourists who learn Japanese or visit on trips because of such Japanese culture.
The "Committee for the Promotion of Orderly Inbound Tourism," operated by the non-profit organization Research Institute for Public Policy, conducted media coverage by two Chinese-speaking influencers in Nara City and Yamatokoriyama City, Nara Prefecture over two days on Friday, April 17 and Saturday, April 18, 2026.
Afterward, they visited the Nara Prefectural Government Office on Thursday, May 21, 2026, to pay a courtesy visit to Governor Makoto Yamashita.
They exchanged opinions on the ideal state of sustainable tourism in harmony with local communities and the possibilities of international information dissemination leveraging influencers.
Committee for the Promotion of Orderly Inbound Tourism Pays Courtesy Visit to Nara Prefecture Governor Makoto Yamashita
In the Nara Prefecture Project conducted on Friday, April 17 and Saturday, April 18, 2026, Chinese-speaking influencers Fu Yumeng (付玉蒙) (Weibo) and Midori (rednote) conducted media coverage activities in Nara City and Yamatokoriyama City.
This project was implemented with the purpose of communicating the appeal of Nara Prefecture's history, culture, food, and regional resources internationally, as well as disseminating information including tourism manners and regional culture, which have frequently been viewed as problematic.
Based on these initiatives, the following individuals visited the Nara Prefectural Government Office and paid a courtesy visit to Governor Makoto Yamashita as follows:
- Kenzaburō Ikeda, Chairman of the Committee for the Promotion of Orderly Inbound Tourism
- Yuyka Izumiyama, Board Director of advisor company XM Kabushiki Kaisha
- Qianqian Zhang, Advertising Media Department Manager of advisor company XM Kabushiki Kaisha
While conveying gratitude for the cooperation by Nara Prefecture, they exchanged opinions on the promotion of orderly inbound tourism, the ideal state of sustainable tourism in harmony with local communities, and the possibilities of international information dissemination leveraging influencers.
Chairman Kenzaburō Ikeda: "We Were Able to Communicate Nara's Appeal, Regional Culture, and Tourism Manners"
Committee for the Promotion of Orderly Inbound Tourism Chairman Kenzaburō Ikeda commented that since Nara is one of Japan's leading popular tourist destinations, the ideal state of tourism in harmony with the culture and lives of the local communities for inbound visitors will become increasingly important in the future.
He stated that through continuous collaboration with local communities and information dissemination by influencers, they will communicate Nara's appeal, regional culture, and tourism manners, and continue initiatives toward realizing orderly inbound tourism.
President Fumihiro Sato: "An Opportunity to Rethink the Ideal State of Tourism in Harmony with the Community"
The president, Fumihiro Sato, of advisor company XM Kabushiki Kaisha, who attended the courtesy visit, commented that through this project, they were able to deliver Nara's unique value, including its appeal, regional culture, and tourism manners, to overseas destinations through dissemination by influencers.
He also stated that from a perspective unique to a region visited by many tourists, it served as an opportunity to rethink the ideal state of tourism in harmony with the community, and that they will continue to work toward the realization of sustainable inbound tourism in the future.
Toward a Future in Which the Local Community and Tourism Are in Harmony
As regional depopulation progresses, tourism is expected to be a major pillar of regional revitalization, and initiatives to attract diverse tourists from Japan and abroad are underway.
On the other hand, challenges such as friction with local residents and manner problems are also coming to light.
That is precisely why understanding the culture and values of each region and walking while experiencing the unique appeal of that land should not only avoid trouble but also enhance the richness of the journey itself.
Deepening collaboration with communities and communicating regional appeal from various angles.
The initiatives of the Committee for the Promotion of Orderly Inbound Tourism are likely to play an increasingly important role toward a future in which the local community and tourism are in harmony.