April 25, 2003

The second Working Group Meeting of the U.S.-Japan Tourism Expansion Initiative was held April 24-25 in Hakone, Japan. The meeting was held under the auspices of the historic Memorandum of Understanding signed by Secretary Evans and Minister Oogi in April 2002.

Based on a mutual understanding of the important role that tourism plays in promoting cultural exchange, as well as economic and social benefits the two sides engaged in very practical, forward-looking talks.

Over the last two years, the travel and tourism industry has faced a number of severe challenges, including terrorism and a global economic downturn. More recently, the war in Iraq and the multi-country outbreak of SARS have led to a further decline in overseas travel.

We agreed that close cooperation and coordinated efforts by the private and public sectors of both countries are indispensable to cope with the difficult situation facing tourism between our two countries.

Accordingly, private sector participants in the meeting discussed specific promotional programs that will encourage more Japanese to visit the U.S., and more Americans to visit Japan in the short term.

U.S. and Japanese government participants also discussed ways in which they can support these private sector efforts, including the use of funds that have been allocated by each government for tourism promotion over the long term.

The private sector participants also expressed appreciation to both governments for their support. All participants expressed a long-term commitment to continue to work together closely to restore the travel and tourism industry to healthy levels of growth.