Gov’t recruiting Visit Japan Campaign ambassadors

Written by Chang on Sunday, October 12th, 2008

TOKYO - The Japan Tourism Agency has launched the first open recruitment for ambassadors of the government-sponsoring Visit Japan Campaign. Through the public recruitment, the government is looking for someone who has been engaged in unique activities to attract more foreign visitors, according to agency officials. The deadline for applications is Nov 7. The Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Ministry has already appointed renowned fashion designer Junko Koshino and 26 other people as ambassadors based on recommendations by municipalities and tourism-related industry bodies.

The agency, which was inaugurated Oct 1, decided this time to publicly seek applicants, regardless of nationality, age and sex, in a bid to ‘‘discover new talents,’’ the officials said. The agency will choose about 10 ambassadors from these applicants, including candidates recommended by municipal governments, in November at a selection board consisting of academic experts after the closing of the recruitment period. Ambassadors will be provided with 300 business cards with an ambassadorial title and special badges for their unpaid jobs. The agency will put each ambassador’s profile on its website and invite them as guest speakers to various lectures. Interested applicants can send their applications to the Japan Travel Bureau Foundation by email, fax or postal mail. The phone number of the foundation is 03-5208-4739.