JCB holds tourism campaign in Japan

Osaka [Japan], Nov 16 (ANI): In order to increase the inflow of tourists from Southeast Asia, Tourism Bureau in Osaka has partnered with private company JCB which is one of the original credit card companies in Japan.
Although there is an increase in the number of foreign tourists coming to Osaka, also known as the "merchant town", the Tourism Bureau here is engaged in a variety of initiatives to attract more tourists, especially from Thailand.
Koremitsu Sannomiya of JCB said, "We would like to offer the campaign called 'Otoku Osaka' till the end of March next year, and to convey the appeal of Osaka to Thai members.
JCB has many members in the Asian country and it has already provided them with special preferential service in approximately 1000 stores in Japan.
The newly added service "Otoku Osaka" campaign is related to JCB card issued in Thailand. "Otoku Osaka" means "the city of Osaka provides a lot of benefits".
The campaign's logo has a unique design of Osaka's famous features such as Osaka Castle and Takoyaki, etc displayed in the restaurants, fashion stores and miscellaneous good outlet stores which provide premium treatment to tourists.
A tourist said, "I came here to visit Osaka and to take pictures of the shopping area and signboard of 'Glico'."
The Tourism Bureau in Osaka, in an announcement in October, said that Japan had suffered from disasters such as earthquake and typhoon and there is fear of their negative impact on tourism.
Hiroshi Mizohata, of the Tourism Bureau, said: "People of Thailand and Malaysia are exempted from visa and their income is increasing, thus we want to increase the number of visitors from these countries in the future."
Tmokazu Mikami of JCB said, "It is a campaign for JCB membership issued in Thailand. There are about 60 stores in the southern area of Osaka, where you can use JCB card to receive gift cards, discount and cash-back service."
"Throughout the history of Japan, Osaka has been referred to as "merchant town". As we have adopted "Otoku Osaka" catchphrase of the campaign, we are looking forward to seeing tourists enjoying great shopping and good meals in Osaka," he added.
The number of tourists from Southeast Asia is increasing because it is becoming easier to obtain an entry visa to Japan. As local government and business companies prepare various services to attract those travelers, there is no doubt that they will have a more enjoyable time in Japan. (ANI)