InsideJapan News Network

Japan has giving its backing to a five-year tourism approach developed by the members of the Association of South-east Asian Nations (ASEAN).

The country joins China and South Korea over the new strategic plan to promote tourism marketing and the development of new tourism products.

In addition, the three states will work together to improve tourism in the local region, build up resources to encourage visitors and attract investment for the sector.

The new partnership comes as Japan boasts record visitor numbers in 2010.

According to figures from Tokyo Haneda Airport, some 8.61 million foreign tourists entered the country last year as a result of the global economic recovery, which is an all-time high for the east Asian nation.

Resumption of international services to the airport was another reason for this jump, which is equal to an increase of 26.8 per cent on 2009 levels, the Japan National Tourist Organisation revealed.

Written by Susan Ballion