Japan's Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Kaneko urged the public to visit Kyushu to support recovery efforts following the Kumamoto earthquake [1].
The appeal comes as the region faces a wave of travel cancellations and voluntary restraint from tourists. Because the local economy relies heavily on visitors, a sharp decline in tourism can stall the financial recovery of businesses and infrastructure in affected areas [2].
Speaking at a press conference in Tokyo on Tuesday, Kaneko addressed concerns that visiting the region might hinder relief operations. He said that while having consideration for disaster-stricken areas is important, traveling to and enjoying the parts of Kyushu that were not affected contributes to the overall recovery [2].
Kaneko emphasized that economic activity is a primary driver of reconstruction. He said that when people visit, stay in hotels, and purchase local products, they provide the necessary financial support to move the recovery process forward [1].
"I believe that by coming to the area, staying overnight, sightseeing, and purchasing local products, recovery and reconstruction support will progress," Kaneko said [1].
The minister encouraged people across the country to resume their travel plans to the region. He said that the act of visiting is not a burden but a form of support for the residents and business owners struggling in the wake of the disaster [1].
This call for "tourism as support" aims to prevent a prolonged economic slump in Kyushu. By stabilizing the hospitality and retail sectors, the government hopes to maintain employment and ensure that local services remain viable while the more severely damaged zones undergo physical reconstruction [2].
“"Recovery and reconstruction support will progress" by visiting and purchasing local products.”
This government push reflects a strategy to decouple the immediate disaster zone from the broader regional economy. By encouraging tourism in safe areas of Kyushu, the ministry aims to prevent 'sympathetic avoidance,' where travelers avoid an entire region due to a localized disaster, which can lead to secondary economic crises in unaffected cities.
