Japanese consul
is tourism advocate

Bringing more tourists to the isles
from Japan is Muto’s main priority

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By Genevieve A. Suzuki
gsuzuki@starbulletin.com

Masatoshi Muto, the new Japanese consul general for Hawaii, says increasing Japanese tourism is his first priority.

"If we analyze (the data), we can see a more clear picture of what is happening," said Muto, who arrived from Tokyo yesterday. For example, he said, single, young Japanese women are choosing inexpensive alternatives such as Bali over Hawaii, Muto said.

Japanese tourism in Hawaii has not fully recovered since it plummeted after Sept. 11, 2001. Former Japanese Consul General Minoru Shibuya suggested last month that Hawaii increase Japanese tourism by diversifying its attractions to include eco-tourism, such as hiking trails along its beaches.

Muto, 53, said he needs to analyze more data to get a clearer picture of what brings Japanese tourists to Hawaii.

Muto also said that the reaction from Hawaii after the sinking of the Ehime Maru accident should be a building block for stronger ties between the United States and Japan.

"The warmth and friendship that Hawaiians extended to us ... I think this kind of spirit can be felt by the (Japanese) people. We can build upon that," Muto said.

Nine people aboard the Japanese vessel died when the ship sank after being struck by the U.S. nuclear submarine USS Greeneville on Feb. 9, 2001.

Muto, who is participating this morning in a wreath-laying ceremony at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, hopes to promote more cultural exchanges among the younger generations of Japanese Americans. "Hopefully, they will want to learn more about Japan and how it is changing," he said.

The night before Muto left for Hawaii, he took Shibuya's advice and attended the 30th-anniversary general meeting of the Japan-Hawaii Economic Council in Yokohama.

"At that meeting people talked about the aloha spirit," he said, noting that he got a taste of that spirit thanks to the night's singing and dancing.

First Hawaiian Bank Chairman Walter Dods told Muto at that meeting that he would get more than his fill of the aloha spirit in Hawaii.

Hawaii's unique way of communication is also intriguing, Muto said. "We could be frank and cordial at the same time. That is the way I would like to pursue my duties here."

Muto served as the Japanese consul general for Canberra, Australia, before being reassigned to Hawaii. Muto also served as the consul general for the Republic of Korea.

He studied Korean language at Yonsei University and earned a master's degree in Korean Studies from Harvard University. The meeting between Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and North Korean President Kim Jong Il was a step forward for Japanese-Korean relations and for stability in Northeast Asia, Muto said.

While he is experienced with Japanese-Korean relations, Muto said he will focus on Japan's relationship with Hawaii.

Muto came to Hawaii about 43 years ago but said he cannot remember anything about the trip. "I was only 9 years old," he said with a laugh.