*The Ministry has requested 18.2% more budgets for tourism-related programs in FY2007

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Tourism Division recentlyannounced that it has requested a total of 7,684 million yen for the tourism-related programs in FY2007, 18.2% more than the budget for FY2006. For Visit Japan Campaign (VJC) that will be the 5th year in FY2007 since it began in FY2003, the Ministry has requested another 4,000 million yen, doubling the budget for the first fiscal year.

This Week Headline
*The Ministry has requested 18.2% more budgets for tourism-related programs in FY2007
*CAB has requested 11.4% more budget for airport developments in FY2007
*CAB Director General says: "Range of internationalflights from Haneda should carefully be considered"
*KNT resulted in less revenue than expected for the first six months of 2006
*NTA succeeded in shrinking losses for the first six half of 2006
*MasterCard forecasts Asia/Pacific overseas travelers will record double-digit growth
*ANA will also raise fuel surcharges on its international flights
*Saudi Arabian Airlines begins serving Kansai flight
*Narita resulted in 1% increase of passengers for July