Historically Hawaii has been the most favored destination for Japanese visitors, and continues to be so even following the end of coronavirus travel restrictions, according to surveys conducted by Japanese tourist agencies (2023-24 Year end/New Year Travel Trend, JTB). Though potential visitors account for great numbers, the recovery from the pre-pandemic era is currently still less than 50% so far in this year compared to 2019 (“Hawaii tourism: On the mend,” Star-Advertiser, Nov. 1).
Given the fact that Japanese people have made up the majority of international visitors to Hawaii, and given the history of traditional people-to-people exchanges, the return of Japanese visitors is critically important to Hawaii’s economy and to the further development of the Japan-Hawaii relationship. We may reasonably anticipate a full-fledged recovery following an improvement of current economic conditions, including the value of the yen. Regardless of regional and international circumstances, Hawaii’s importance and uniqueness to the U.
S. and Japan will not change. In particular, Hawaii will remain a special place for Japanese people.
Visitors from Japan, especially those belonging to younger generations, have special reason to learn the history of Japanese immigrants and their contributions to Hawaii’s society, as well as Japanese-American soldiers’ dedication to U.S. military operations in Europe during the Second World War, as seen in the bravery and sacrifice of the 100th In.