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Opening remarks by Study Group Chairperson and Yamanashi GovernorOn July 2, 2026 (Thu), Yamanashi Prefecture (Governor: Kōtarō Nagasaki), the Cabinet Office (Disaster Management), the Japan Tourism Agency, Niigata Prefecture, Nagano Prefecture, and Shizuoka Prefecture announced the launch of the "Study Group on the Practicalization of Super-Wide-Area Evacuation for Foreign Tourists During Large-Scale Disasters" at the Central Government Building No. 8. On the same day, a working group was held with the participation of relevant organizations to discuss support for the repatriation of foreign tourists in the event of a Mount Fuji eruption.While inbound demand is rapidly expanding, the legal status and concrete operational guidelines for the wide-area evacuation and repatriation of foreign tourists in the event of severe disasters are still insufficient. To address this gap in law and practice, a study group has been formally established to aim for the implementation and practicalization of national-level policies based on the research results of the four central Japanese prefectures of Niigata, Nagano, Shizuoka, and Yamanashi, which have independently researched disaster preparedness. The working group established within this study group designated the town of Fujikawaguchiko in Yamanashi Prefecture, a symbolic region for inbound tourism, as the first model case, assuming "Mount Fuji eruption" as a specific threat. Discussions were held on identifying issues for repatriation support for foreign tourists, specific routes, transportation methods, and public relations.Opening remarks by Study Group Chairperson and Yamanashi Governor Kōtarō NagasakiThe government formulated a new "Basic Plan for the Promotion of a Tourism-Oriented Country" in March of Reiwa 8 (2026) with the goal of attracting 60 million foreign tourists by 2030. With a large number of foreign tourists visiting our country, we recognize that ensuring the safety of foreign tourists and facilitating their return to their home countries in the event of a large-scale disaster is an extremely important issue. To this end, in 2024, with the cooperation of relevant ministries and agencies, we launched the "Study Group on Super-Wide-Area Evacuation for Foreign Tourists" with Niigata, Nagano, and Shizuoka prefectures to consider countermeasures, and compiled the research results in September of last year.Based on these research results, this study group is established as the next step to materialize the countermeasures. When large-scale disasters such as the anticipated Nankai Trough earthquake or Mount Fuji eruption actually occur, ensuring the safety of visitors from abroad and facilitating their smooth return to their home countries is not only a basic concept of hospitality for welcoming guests, but also a responsibility of our nation and a matter of pride as Japanese people. With this in mind, the establishment of this study group to concretize wide-area evacuation measures for foreign tourists is an unprecedented and pioneering initiative, and we believe it is an important step forward.We hope that through the discussions in this study group, practical mechanisms will be established to ensure the safety of foreign tourists during large-scale disasters and to facilitate their smooth repatriation, and that this will serve as a catalyst for the expansion of such initiatives nationwide.Greeting by Working Group Chairperson Mr. Fujii, and scene from the working group meetingThe working group brought together Chairperson Emeritus Professor Tsuguo Fujii of the University of Tokyo, along with representatives from relevant ministries and local governments, transportation and infrastructure operators, and embassies of various countries. Discussions were held on the progress of previous deliberations and future plans, explanations of volcanic phenomena anticipated during a Mount Fuji eruption, and practical wide-area evacuation measures for foreign tourists in the event of a Mount Fuji eruption, using Fujikawaguchiko Town in Yamanashi Prefecture as a model.Opening remarks by Working Group Chairperson Tsuguo Fujii (Emeritus Professor, University of Tokyo; Director, Fuji Research Institute)Regarding the eruption of Mount Fuji, the "Basic Plan for Mount Fuji Volcano Disaster Prevention Measures" was formulated by the Mount Fuji Volcano Disaster Prevention Council in 2023. This plan states that tourists should evacuate the surrounding area when the eruption alert level rises from 1 to 3, before an actual eruption. This timing serves as a benchmark for initiating large-scale evacuation of foreign tourists, and we intend to consider concrete response measures tailored to the actual situation, focusing on the eruption of Mount Fuji.Opening remarks by Working Group Joint Secretariat, Councilor Tsukasa Morikubo (Cabinet Office, Disaster Management)In March of this year, the Cabinet Office held a working group on wide-area ashfall countermeasures during a large-scale eruption and began discussions with relevant organizations on concrete measures for wide-area ashfall. On the other hand, with a very large number of foreign tourists, wide-area evacuation that includes not only residents but also tourists presents many unaddressed challenges, and we believe that the number of stakeholders and organizations involved is extensive. We believe it is important to organize the current situation and challenges and to consider countermeasures through close cooperation among relevant organizations. In this group, we will plan and implement training using Fujikawaguchiko Town as a model case for such challenges and consider concrete countermeasures together with all stakeholders. We believe that thorough preparation on a daily basis is important for disaster preparedness in times of need. Based on this launch, we aim to conduct effective deliberations and training in the future.[Meeting Overview]■ Date and Time: July 2, 2026 (Thu) 13:00~■ Venue: Central Government Building No. 8, 3rd Floor, Disaster Management Headquarters Conference Room■ Main Attendees (Titles omitted):○ 13:00-13:15 Part 1 "Study Group on the Practicalization of Super-Wide-Area Evacuation for Foreign Tourists During Large-Scale Disasters"- Members: Yamanashi Prefecture [Chairperson: Yamanashi Governor Kōtarō Nagasaki], Cabinet Office (Disaster Management), Japan Tourism Agency, Niigata Prefecture, Nagano Prefecture, Shizuoka Prefecture- Content: Chairperson's remarks, explanation of the purpose of the meeting, explanation of the future schedule○ 13:30~ Part 2 "Working Group on the Practicalization of Super-Wide-Area Evacuation for Foreign Tourists During Mount Fuji Eruption"- Members: [Chairperson] Tsuguo Fujii (Emeritus Professor, University of Tokyo; Director, Fuji Research Institute), [Vice-Chairperson] Mitsuhiro Yoshimoto (Department Director, same institute),Yamanashi Prefecture, Cabinet Office (Disaster Management), Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan Tourism Agency, relevant local governments, tourism/transportation/infrastructure-related businesses, embassies of various countries, etc.*Please also refer to the list of members.Members of the "Working Group on the Practicalization of Super-Wide-Area Evacuation for Foreign Tourists During Mount Fuji Eruption"d78927-507-ff58fc2dd8ea39a534cb64ba5ec68adf.pdf