The governor of Japan’s tourist haven island of Hokkaido said on Thursday the doors were open for Chinese tourists and investors, despite frictions that have seen Beijing’s warships skirting Tokyo’s waters.
Harumi Takahashi said it was “impossible” for the people of Hokkaido to dislike Chinese people, even as anti-Japanese feeling remains high in China and isolated reports of physical attacks there continue to emerge.
“We welcome Chinese tourists and Chinese investment in tourism infrastructure,” Takahashi told reporters. “Tourism is an important industry in Hokkaido.”
Takahashi made the comments as she also said local laws aimed at regulating transactions involving forests and waterways on the island were not intended to limit purchases by foreigners.
The ordinance requires the Hokkaido government be notified three months before any transaction takes place and allows local officials to offer “advice” to the vendor.
It was introduced following a public outcry when it was revealed there had been a surge in foreign ownership of Hokkaido’s forests and that many buyers were using Chinese capital.