Comments on: Japan’s “travel deficit”

By: Muninn » A Few Anecdotes

Muninn » A Few Anecdotes — Sat, 04 Mar 2006 07:57:29 +0000

[...] UPDATE: I found an online site where you can see some more of these posters here thanks to this posting by Mutant Frog. [...]

By: Mutantfrog

Mutantfrog — Thu, 02 Mar 2006 10:29:38 +0000

They already have some programs like that, although they may not be very well staffed and/or publicized. I knew a girl at Rits with pretty good English and I believe conversational level French that did some volunteer guiding for foreigners as a chance to practice.

By: Saru

Saru — Thu, 02 Mar 2006 01:51:21 +0000

Funny you should post on this. I just returned from dinner with a friend and the subject of tourism in Japan came up in our discussion. I was reminded of a visit to a city government office in Kyoto where the question was asked, “how can Japan become a more friendly place for foreign visitors?” One of the solutions proposed, that to my knowledge has yet to be implemented, was to have local college students who are studying English (or Chinese or Korean, etc…) act as volunteer guides at local temples and other tourist hot spots. It wouldn’t cost the temples a thing and would give students a chance to practice their English, as well as allow mutual interaction with foreign guests, while promoting education in traditional Japanese culture. I also think this would help create a favorable image of Japan abroad by enhancing their already well-known reputation for politeness.