The Fukuoka Municipal Government will launch in fiscal 2000 an international advertising campaign for the city's port, city harbor officials said.
As part of efforts to promote Hakata port, three public relations officers will be posted outside Japan -- one each to cities in Europe, North America and Asia. They will aim to raise the port's profile by attracting more cargo and services from abroad, the officials said Tuesday.
"We want someday to have as much cargo coming to Fukuoka port from Seoul as that which arrives via Yokohama port. We can't just wait for it to happen. We have to be assertive," a city harbor official said.
According to harbor officials, the campaign will employ veterans from marine transportation and trading companies as port agents. Their efforts to promote the port will include negotiations with shipping firms and businesses interested in investing in Japan.