The foremost event in the nation's travel industry calendar kicked off Wednesday in Tokyo's Odaiba district, with industry leaders seeking to ease public concerns triggered by the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in the United States.
The 13th JATA International Congress and Travel Mart is expected to attract more than 3,000 delegates from some 90 countries, with the opening day's guests including Chikage Ogi, minister of land, infrastructure and transport.
During an address that opened the four-day event, organizer Isao Matsuhashi, chairman of the Japan Association of Travel Agents, condemned the terrorist attacks but predicted it will not be long before the Japanese tourism industry regains momentum.