The Ministry of the Environment (MOE) of Japan held a meeting of a new eco-tourism promotion council on November 12, 2003. The council's purpose is to promote eco-tourism so that it will take root in Japan, through a nationwide program of nature conservation, environmental education and regional development measures.
The council, chaired by Environment Minister Yuriko Koike, is comprised of about 20 members, including Tokiko Kato, a singer, Ken Noguchi, an alpinist, and representatives from municipalities, academic circles, non-profit organizations, and travel agencies.
Eco-tours are often conducted to sites in other countries, such as the Galapagos Islands and Costa Rica, and are now gaining popularity here in Japan.
Posted: 2004/01/20 09:47:11 PM
Japanese version