Japan to Build Database to Boost Foreign Tourists

Tokyo, May 7 (Jiji Press)--Japan will establish a database of foreigners interested in the country in fiscal 2009 started last month in an effort to promote tourism.

The Japan Tourism Agency hopes that the database will cover more
than two million such foreigners, officials said.
The agency plans to gather information through questionnaires
offered with lotteries on a special Web site, while providing tailored
information to registered foreigners via e-mail.
The agency will promote the program through print ads in 12
targeted economies, including Britain, China, South Korea, Thailand and the
United States.
The agency will allow private-sector companies such as hotel
operators to use the database for marketing activity.
The moves comes as the number of foreign tourists to Japan fell
some 30 pct year over year each in January and February, hurt by the global
economic slowdown.