Remarks by Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade Marisa Lago at at U.S.-Japan Tourism Year Reception

Washington, DC

December 12, 2024

As Prepared for Delivery

Good evening, everyone. Warm thanks to Ambassador Yamada. It is always such a special treat to be welcomed to your stunning residence. I'm delighted to join all of you in celebrating our first-ever U.S.-Japan Tourism Year.

The U.S.-Japan relationship is as strong and multi-faceted as ever. As we recognize the many successes of this past year, our close collaboration to promote travel and tourism is yet another example of the real-world benefits of the deep commercial ties between our two countries.

We love statistics at the U.S. Department of Commerce, so I'll share a few to illustrate the tremendous economic benefits of strengthening our travel and tourism industries.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Japan was the second largest source of overseas travelers to the United States, sending 3.8 million visitors annually and contributing $13 billion in spending to the U.S. economy. Since the pandemic, the United States has rebounded to a projected total of 2.6 million Japanese visitors this year - thanks to the dedicated efforts of both countries, including so many of you here tonight. And, I'm even more excited that, by 2028, my team forecasts that we'll break new records - surpassing over 4 million Japanese visitors to the United States.

Together, we've made impressive strides forward this year - with special thanks to the close collaboration among the U.S. Department of Commerce, Brand USA, U.S. industry partners, the Japan Tourism Agency, the Japan National Tourism Organization and the Japan Association of Travel Agents.

For example, we hosted symposia at both of our countries' largest travel and tourism trade shows - in Los Angeles and in Tokyo.

Another example: in July, the U.S. Department of Commerce's top official for travel and tourism - Deputy Assistant Secretary Alex Lasry, who's here tonight - joined a sales mission to Tokyo that was led by Brand USA. This sales mission included events in both Tokyo and Osaka to help Japanese citizens take advantage of an expedited arrival process - called Global Entry - during future visits to the United States.

And, in October, the Director of the U.S. Commerce Department's National Travel and Tourism Office - Brian Beall, who is also here tonight - spoke in Osaka at the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association's Global Convention. In addition to promoting international tourism, this event advanced a core pillar of the U.S. government's National Travel and Tourism Strategy: ensuring diverse, inclusive and accessible tourism experiences.

Looking ahead, as U.S.-Japan Tourism Year concludes next spring with the World Expo's kickoff in Osaka, I'm bullish on what we can continue to accomplish together.

We all know that international travel and tourism bring strong economic benefits to both of our countries' businesses, workers and communities. As importantly, these exchanges strengthen invaluable people-to-people ties between the United States and Japan - two countries that continue to share core democratic values and a common economic vision for the world.

Arigato gozaimasu!