Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga

As of October 9, the number of foreign visitors to Japan in 2015 has exceeded 15 million persons, meaning that the target of achieving 20 million visitors each year by 2020 is likely to be achieved in advance. Based on this result, in order to look to a new era and consider new targets and the measures that will be required, the Government has decided to establish the Council for the Development of a Tourism Vision to Support the Future of Japan, headed by the Prime Minister. This council will be composed of related ministers and experts from the private sector and the first meeting is scheduled to be held on Monday, November 9. The council will engage in a series of vigorous discussions and is expected to compile a new tourism strategy vision sometime this fiscal year. On the basis of this new strategy the Ministerial Council on the Promotion of Japan as a Tourism-Oriented Country will work to formulate the next specific action program.

Q&As

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I have a question concerning the general election in Myanmar, which is scheduled to take place on November 8. The National League for Democracy, led by Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi, is expected to do well in the election, but there are also concerns about domestic upheaval. The Government has dispatched an election observer mission to Myanmar, so could you tell us about the Government’s thoughts on the general election in Myanmar?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Firstly, the Government hopes that the general election in Myanmar will be held successfully. The Government of Japan seeks to support a free and fair election through the dispatch of this election observer mission, which is headed by Mr. Yohei Sasakawa, Special Envoy of the Government of Japan for National Reconciliation in Myanmar.

(Abridged)