Japanese officials pledge to help CNMI

Japanese officials had pledged to help CNMI spur its tourism industry by making favorable rating on the islands as destination for their citizens as well as by boosting the number of direct flights here, according to local leaders.

In a statement released yesterday, the CNMI delegation that flew last week to Tokyo for three-day visit described the trip as “very productive.”

Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio, who led the group composed of lawmakers and business representatives, called it a “success” during an interview with reporters, noting they were able to talk with members of Diet, Japan’s parliament, key government officials and business leaders.

The delegation met yesterday with the governor and House Speaker Benigno R. Fitial to outline a plan of action following the team effort to strengthen ties with Japan.

Last week’s trip had included meetings with officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Transportation as well as business leaders from Japan Entrepreneurs’ President Association or JEPA, an organization with nearly 15,000 member businesses.

“We appreciate greatly Japan’s contribution to developing our economy, and we went to Japan to learn directly from top officials what we can do to improve the investment climate and bring more Japanese tourists to the Commonwealth,” Mr. Tenorio said in the statement.

“I was very encouraged by this team effort — our administration, legislators and private sector working together to strengthen relationships with Japan. We met with people that have oversight jurisdiction over air service and other areas that greatly affect our economy,” he added.

Mr. Fitial stressed the Japanese officials appreciate their historical ties with the islands, noting they understand the current predicament in the CNMI.

“I always believe we will not solve our economic problems if our leaders, both public and private sector, do not reach out to those governments and business leaders who influence our economic growth. Without a doubt, Japan has always been the most influential country for our economic growth,” he said in the statement.

Travel advisory

Among the key people they met in Tokyo was Ichiro Fujisaki, Director General of the North American Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The meeting focused on the public safety image of Saipan and the recent posting in the ministry’s web site that has cautioned tourists about crime on the islands.

When asked by Mr. Fitial about steps to improve the site’s message about Saipan, Mr. Fugisaki explained that it was written in a similar way to other destinations primarily for safety awareness for their tourists, according to the statement.

It added that he expressed appreciation for specific details given during the meeting on what Saipan is doing to improve safety, telling CNMI officials that this would be taken into consideration and the information utilized to offer a more balanced message on the site in the future.

In other meetings, the local delegation appealed to Japanese transportation officials for help in opening up more direct air routes, citing that major hotels and three-fourths of the visitors to the CNMI come from their country.

They had an audience with Vice Minister of Transportation Shinya Izumi and Director & Chief of Aviation Kenichi Fukaya, who noted that such meetings showed the islands’ commitment in stirring the local tourism industry.

Mr. Izumi had even mentioned next year’s bilateral talk between Japan and the U.S. on the open skies agreement where he promised island leaders to cite their visit, said the statement.

Likewise, he pledged to work to try to increase direct flights in the future, while urging the delegation to take care of its natural environment to attract more tourists, it said.

Last week’s trip afforded the delegation to introduce the recently-signed free trade zone law outside the islands for the first time, which helped them encourage more Japanese investments into CNMI.