Torres, MVA meet with Japan market stakeholders

Gov. Ralph DLG Torres, Lt. Gov. Victor B. Hocog, and the Marianas Visitors Authority management and board of directors met Monday with about 20 stakeholders of the CNMI’s Japan market to reaffirm the Commonwealth’s commitment to the islands’ oldest market.

The purpose of the meeting was to provide Japan stakeholders in the CNMI with some updates about the Commonwealth government’s discussions with interested airlines in Tokyo. He declined to divulge details of those discussions, citing nondisclosure agreements, but assured “we are cognizant of our community’s concerns, and we are prioritizing the needs for an airline to service Japan and to revitalize the market.”

The meeting was attended by Japan Consul Kinji Shinoda, JTB Pacific Micronesia Tours general manager Masaru Sunaga, DFS Japan sales manager Kazu Koyama, PDI president and chairman of Japan Saipan Travel Association Masa Takahashi, and several Japanese businesses and tour agencies.

“It is important to have our local stakeholders and partners involved in our process of finding viable airlines to service our Japan market. The Marianas tourism industry was built by Japanese investment over 40 years ago, and our histories and cultures remain intertwined,” MVA managing director Christopher A. Concepcion said.

“The [Torres] administration, MVA, and the Legislature all agree that we will be making this market a high priority in the months ahead, particularly with the pullout of Delta Air Lines in May. I met with MVA and [the Commonwealth Ports Authority] last week to discuss ways to ensure airlift from Japan continues, whether through Delta or other airlines. We are making great strides in those talks, and we will be updating the community soon. Whatever resources we have will be prioritized for the Japanese market,” Torres said.

“The MVA thanks Gov. Torres and Lt. Gov. Hocog for their steadfast support of the Japan market. Their pledge to utilize all available resources at their disposal to revitalize this key market is welcome news for all stakeholders. This is what the market needs to hear. The MVA is in aggressive talks with airlines wishing to fly from Japan to the CNMI, and we will not rest until we secure new service. This is at the forefront of our efforts at this time,” Concepcion added.