In 2020, Japan will host the Olympic Games, and in this regard, Mikhail Degtiarev
Mikhail Vladimiroviсh
noted that Russia is ready to ”share the positive experience of organizing major sporting events and the organizing the entry of tourists during major international events“.
Motoo Hayashi said that one of the main goals of the visit is to increase the tourists flow from Russia and to strengthen international relations. He also reminded about the 22nd meeting of President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister of Japan Shinzō Abe on the WEF fields dedicated to the development of cooperation between the countries.
In 2017, a record number of Russians visited Japan: more than 77 thousand visits were registered, which is 40% more than in 2016.
The simplification of visa procedures for Russians, as well as an increase in the number of flights of low-cost airlines from Asian countries and ocean liner stops in Japanese ports contributed to the growth of tourist activity.
Mikhail Degtiarev agreed with the opinion of Japanese colleagues that tourism is one of the most important sectors of the country's economy. He said that Russia is taking active steps to use its tourism potential, and reminded that as of August 1, 2017, a simplified visa regime was introduced, according to which citizens of 18 countries, including Japan, can receive short-term electronic visas to Russia for up to 30 days. A law is also currently being drafted to simplify the procedure for cruise ships entering to Far East ports. Today, the share of the tourism industry in Russia's GDP is 3.5%. “We have a goal to bring this figure to 10%. In addition to the economic function of tourism, the humanitarian component is also extremely important. If people are well acquainted with the culture and history of the neighboring countries, the climate of the international relations between these countries will improve. Therefore, we are very optimistic about the growth of tourist flow between Russia and Japan,” said the parliamentarian.
He noted the importance of cooperation between the Russian Federation and Japan, this will contribute to the consolidation of peace, the exchange of positive experience, including at the legislative level.
Following the meeting, participants expressed their willingness to continue the further interaction.
The parliamentary group included representatives of all factions of the State Duma, the delegation of Japanese parliamentarians consisted of senators of the Liberal Democratic Party of Japan, heads of the National Tourism Organization and Japanese airlines companies: JapanAirlines and All Nippon Airways.
