Japan seeks to attract Singapore tourists

Officials from prefectures across Japan are taking steps to boost the number of tourists from booming Asian economies to their regions.

Officials from 31 prefectures jointly took part in an international travel fair that opened in Singapore on Thursday as part of a campaign to promote local attractions.

The campaign includes presentations that highlight the regions' nature and cuisine.

The travel fair is held by Singapore's tourism industry every year. It is popular as it offers consumers a chance to find bargain package tours before the spring and summer holiday seasons begin.

The number of foreign travelers to Japan dropped 18 percent last year because of a stronger yen and the economic downturn.

But the number of tourists from Asian countries, where the economies are making steady recoveries, is expected to return to previous levels sooner than other regions.

The number of tourists from Singapore has already shown an increase with a record number of Singaporeans visiting Japan in December.

Officials from Gifu Prefecture in central Japan, say they view nations in the Southeast Asia, including Singapore, as the most important markets next to China and South Korea.

They say incomes in those areas have increased because of economic growth.