Source : THE BORNEO POST  July 6, 2005

More Japanese coming - thanks to our wildlife

TOKYO: Japan's Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary, Seiken Sugiura said more Japanese tourists will visit Sabah due to its beautiful nature and abundant wildlife, which are a big lure.

He said this during a courtesy call by Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman at his office in the Japan's Administrative Building which also houses Japan Prime Minister Junichiro Koizuini's office in Tokyo yesterday.

He said the weekly direct flights from Tokyo and Osaka would undoubtedly Increase the number of Japanese tourists |to Sabah.

Sugiura who is also the Secretary General of the Japan-Malaysia Parliamentary Friendship League, said the 30-member league is interested in making a visit to Malaysia including Sabah soon.

The Chief Minster said the weekly direct flights from the two cities in Japan had certainly made it more convenient for Japanese to discover what Sabah has to offer.
"Tourism is one of the fastest-growing industries in Sabah. Besides our natural attractions and rich cultural heritage, Sabah offers all the modern comforts to travelers through the numerous resorts and hotels," he said.

The Chief Minister is currently on a seven-day visit to Japan upon an official invitation by the Japanese  Government.

He is accompanies by a 14-member delegation made up of top government officials and captains of industries.

Also present at the meeting was Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister, Datuk Radin Malleh, Science and Technology Adviser to the Chief Minister Datuk Tham Nyip Shen, and Kota Kinabalu City Mayor
Datuk Iliyas Ibrahim.