Committee for Promotion of Orderly Inbound Tourism Pays Courtesy Call to Nara Prefecture Governor Makoto Yamashita

The Committee for Promotion of Orderly Inbound Tourism, operated by the Public Policy Research Organization (NPO, based in Minato-ku, Tokyo; Kenzaburo Ikeda, Chairperson), conducted influencer coverage in Nara City and Yamatokoriyama City, Nara Prefecture, on April 17-18, 2026, as the fourth campaign.

With the cooperation of the Nara Prefecture Tourism Bureau, this project aimed to promote the historical, cultural, culinary, and regional resources of Nara Prefecture abroad, while also disseminating information on tourism manners and local culture.

Following this, the committee visited the Nara Prefectural Office on May 21, 2026, to pay a courtesy call to Governor Makoto Yamashita.

Attendees included RIPP Chairperson Kenzaburo Ikeda, as well as advisor representatives from XM Inc., including Yuka Izumiyama (Director) and Zhang Qianqian (Head of Advertising Media). The meeting focused on expressing gratitude for Nara Prefecture's cooperation, promoting 'orderly inbound tourism,' exploring sustainable tourism practices in harmony with local communities, and discussing the potential of influencer-led international outreach.

This project is supported by the Japan Tourism Agency under the title 'Project to Attract Inbound Foreign Travelers and Improve Manners in Nara Prefecture Using Chinese SNS' (Support period: March 31, 2026, to May 30, 2026).

Comment from Kenzaburo Ikeda, Chairperson, Public Policy Research Organization

Nara Prefecture is one of Japan's leading tourist destinations, blessed with rich historical and cultural assets. However, I believe that tourism in harmony with local culture and living is becoming increasingly important. Through this project, influencer outreach allowed us to share not only Nara's charm but also information on local culture and manners. We will continue to collaborate with local residents to realize 'orderly inbound tourism.'

Comment from Fumihiro Sato, President and CEO, XM Inc.

Nara Prefecture has diverse charms, from historical assets to food culture rooted in daily life. Through this influencer project, I believe we successfully delivered the unique value of Nara to an international audience, including cultural and etiquette insights. It also provided a fresh perspective on balancing tourism with local community needs in high-traffic areas like Nara Park. We will continue to work toward sustainable inbound tourism in cooperation with local regions, leveraging this experience.

About the Public Policy Research Organization (RIPP)

Based in Minato-ku, Tokyo, RIPP is an NPO that combines think-tank functions (policy research) with social development functions (policy practice). Established in December 2018 and certified as an NPO in March 2019, it is chaired by economic analyst Kenzaburo Ikeda. Its goal is to contribute to achieving policy targets for a truly affluent Japan and to the healthy development of society. Activities include public policy research, practice, human resource development, and the promotion of exchange among policy professionals.

About the Committee for Promotion of Orderly Inbound Tourism

This committee operates under the RIPP board. With Fumihiro Sato (President of XM Inc.) as an advisor, it works to promote 'orderly' inbound tourism in collaboration with local regions.

The committee focuses on qualitative improvement rather than just the number of tourists in the rapidly expanding inbound tourism sector. In FY2025, it successfully implemented influencer projects in the Chichibu, Nasu, and Yamanashi areas, receiving high evaluations from local municipalities.

The committee aims to deepen foreign visitors' understanding of Japan's regions and facilitate smooth human exchange through information dissemination that promotes understanding of local culture and rules. This contributes to preventing issues caused by overtourism and information gaps, aiming to spread a tourism model that balances regional economic revitalization with a sustainable society.