Tourism in Japan is growing faster than anywhere else in the world. The number of international visitors to Japan has more than tripled since the start of the decade, hitting 31 million last year. And the numbers are expected to continue rising as the country hosts two of the world’s largest events – the 2019 Rugby World Cup and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

While this unprecedented growth undoubtedly brings economic benefits, there are concerns around unintended social and environmental consequences. These range from degradation of natural habitats to tensions with local residents and overcrowding of urban infrastructure.

The government has set targets to welcome 40 million visitors by 2020 and 60 million visitors by 2030. Is it possible to sustain this phenomenal growth while also ensuring the health of our natural environments and social systems? Can tourism really be “sustainable”? What challenges and opportunities lie on the road ahead for Japan as the tourism sector continues to boom?

In collaboration with Social Innovation Japan, and as part of its Reinventing Japan project, Asia Pacific Initiative will host a discussion around sustainable tourism and the future of Japan with a panel of industry pioneers, entrepreneurs, and changemakers on 26th July 2019 from 19.00 – 21.00 at Nagatacho GRiD with networking before and after the event.

Speakers will include Fumiko Kato, Founder and CEO of WAmazing, Yu Aoki, Founder and CEO of MATCHA Inc., Tomotsugu Yamakawa, CEO of CORARE ARTISANS JAPAN and Dennis Chia, Founder and CEO at BOUNDLESS.

Please note that General Admissions will be 2500 JPY. Tickets can only be purchased in advance and online. Tickets will not be available at the door.

For more information and tickets please visit https://sustainabletourism.peatix.com/