2007 to be observed as India-Japan tourism year

New Delhi, July 26 (UNI) The year 2007 will be observed as India-Japan Friendship and Exchange year.

This is one of the key element of the eight-fold initiative for strengtheneing India-Japan Global Partnership as agreed to by the Prime Ministers of both the countries during the visit of the Japanese Premier Junichiro Koizumi to India in April last year.

The visiting Japanese Infrastructure and Transport Minister Kazuo Kitagawa today discussed with Tourism Minister Ambika Soni, the plan for observance of the India-Japan Friendship and Exchange year.

The plan aims at strengthening of people-to-people contacts between India and Japan through promotion of tourism. It is being drawn in consultation with the Japan Foundation.

The plan envisages introduction of a number of package tours to be implemented through greater cooperation and exchanges between the tour operators of India and Japan.

Exhibition of Indian culture in Japan and vice versa and exchange of artistes between the two countries are also being planned. During the 30-minute-long meeting, Ms Soni said India always gave high priority to strengthening of relations with Japan.

Mr Kitagawa said there was a great degree of interest among Japanese people to visit India. The need for enhancing air onnectivity between India and Japan came up for discussion at the meeting.

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