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> critical for a country facing a 30% population decline by 2070 Tourism doesn't help with that. And this decline (if it do happens) will impact the countrysid

> critical for a country facing a 30% population decline by 2070 Tourism doesn't help with that. And this decline (if it do happens) will impact the countryside more than the places where most tourists go.

dudeinjapan 1y ago
I can say that this fact of population decline (and population aging) weighs heavily on the Japanese psyche, especially in the business world. The hottest topic for our customers in sales discussions is definitely "attracting inbound tourists".
- jacobgkau 1y ago
  It makes sense Japanese business owners would be interested in attracting inbound tourists as a financial solution to population decline for their businesses. At the same time, it can be possible for tourism to not be a solution to the underlying problem of population decline for wider society (including longer-term longevity of businesses, and the feasibility of future businesses). As devil's advocate, do you not see a potential disconnect here between what makes financial sense for your customers and what makes logistical sense for the nation as a whole?
  - dudeinjapan 1y ago
    Developing a healthy tourism industry, developing English skills to communicate with the world at large, all make great sense for the country as a whole. I think these can be developed without losing the cultural aspects that make Japan great.
    - valenterry 1y ago
      One could argue that the tourism industry was already beyond healthy, that the impact on English skills is negligible and that it hurts others, such as business people having problems do travel because hotels have doubled or trippeled their prices.
      - dudeinjapan 1y ago
        English skills put hospitality staff in a better position to serve guests, and ultimately reduce the burden/friction on the operators themselves. As for business travel, the price of business hotels in Japan overall has not dramatically increased—certainly not beyond what corporate budgets can afford—and much of business travel is to cities that are not of particular interest to tourists. Staying outside the city and commuting by train is also an option.
        valenterry 1y ago
        > As for business travel, the price of business hotels in Japan overall has not dramatically increased You obviously live in a different Japan than I do (or, despite your name, don't actually live there).
        dudeinjapan 1y ago
        I do live in Japan. Looking at APA Hotel in Ginza I see prices in the 10-20,000 JPY range ($66-$133) per night it just doesn’t feel insanely high. And thats smack in the middle of a major business/tourist area.
        valenterry 1y ago
        Well yeah, that doesn't look high in dollars for US people earning a lot, sure. But I never said that it looks high, I said that it increased. You could easily find APAs for about 5000 JPY not long ago. And don't forget that we currently have summer, so much less tourists.
        dudeinjapan 1y ago
        Its not clear how much of the increase is due to tourist demand vs. global price inflation in general. 5000 yen is now $33. Thats an unthinkably low price in the US unless you are going for bedbugs and a piss-stained mattress… Prices in Japan seem to be de-coupling from the rest of the world… e.g. the “Japanese only” language-locked Nintendo Switch 2

dudeinjapan 1y ago

I can say that this fact of population decline (and population aging) weighs heavily on the Japanese psyche, especially in the business world. The hottest topic for our customers in sales discussions is definitely "attracting inbound tourists".

jacobgkau 1y ago
It makes sense Japanese business owners would be interested in attracting inbound tourists as a financial solution to population decline for their businesses. At the same time, it can be possible for tourism to not be a solution to the underlying problem of population decline for wider society (including longer-term longevity of businesses, and the feasibility of future businesses). As devil's advocate, do you not see a potential disconnect here between what makes financial sense for your customers and what makes logistical sense for the nation as a whole?
- dudeinjapan 1y ago
  Developing a healthy tourism industry, developing English skills to communicate with the world at large, all make great sense for the country as a whole. I think these can be developed without losing the cultural aspects that make Japan great.
  - valenterry 1y ago
    One could argue that the tourism industry was already beyond healthy, that the impact on English skills is negligible and that it hurts others, such as business people having problems do travel because hotels have doubled or trippeled their prices.
    - dudeinjapan 1y ago
      English skills put hospitality staff in a better position to serve guests, and ultimately reduce the burden/friction on the operators themselves. As for business travel, the price of business hotels in Japan overall has not dramatically increased—certainly not beyond what corporate budgets can afford—and much of business travel is to cities that are not of particular interest to tourists. Staying outside the city and commuting by train is also an option.
      - valenterry 1y ago
        > As for business travel, the price of business hotels in Japan overall has not dramatically increased You obviously live in a different Japan than I do (or, despite your name, don't actually live there).
        dudeinjapan 1y ago
        I do live in Japan. Looking at APA Hotel in Ginza I see prices in the 10-20,000 JPY range ($66-$133) per night it just doesn’t feel insanely high. And thats smack in the middle of a major business/tourist area.
        valenterry 1y ago
        Well yeah, that doesn't look high in dollars for US people earning a lot, sure. But I never said that it looks high, I said that it increased. You could easily find APAs for about 5000 JPY not long ago. And don't forget that we currently have summer, so much less tourists.
        dudeinjapan 1y ago
        Its not clear how much of the increase is due to tourist demand vs. global price inflation in general. 5000 yen is now $33. Thats an unthinkably low price in the US unless you are going for bedbugs and a piss-stained mattress… Prices in Japan seem to be de-coupling from the rest of the world… e.g. the “Japanese only” language-locked Nintendo Switch 2