'Ninja council' to boost Japan tourism

This article is more than 12 months old

Mar 09, 2015 06:00 am

Japanese officials are enlisting one of the country's best-known historical figures - the ninja - to encourage tourism.

Governors and mayors from prefectures around the country traded their usual bland suits for ninja costumes yesterday to announce the launch of the "ninja council".

It sees local authorities forming an alliance with tourism agencies to thrust ninjas - usually known for their ability to become nearly invisible - into the spotlight.

Ninjas are a "subject that always comes up whenever we go abroad to promote tourism", said Mr Hiroshi Mizohata, former head of the transport ministry's Japan Tourism Agency.

The not-so-stealthy move comes as local governments turn to tourism as a promising economic growth driver ahead of the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. - AFP