Delegation says Japan trip a success

Last week’s trip to Japan by CNMI government officials and business leaders was a “success,” according to two members of the delegation.

House Speaker Benigno R. Fitial said Saturday the meetings held with Japanese government officials and businessmen were “very positive and receptive.”

He declined to elaborate, saying details of the results of the three-day trip are to be disclosed today by Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio, the House leadership and representatives of the business community.

Rep. Norman S. Palacios, who coordinated the meetings with key officials and legislators of the Tokyo government, also described the trip as “a success.”

“We were able to accomplish what we had set out to do in the first place,” he said in a separate interview Saturday during the inauguration of the 3rd Youth Congress.

The governor led the CNMI delegation that flew to Tokyo last Wednesday for a trip they said was aimed at bringing in new investments and enhancing image of the islands as tourist destination for the Japanese people.

Prior to their departure, members said they would appeal to Japanese authorities to remove the Northern Marianas from the list of unsafe destinations for their travelers.

The visit was also a response to the invitation extended by the Japan/CNMI Parliament League Associations following the trip here last March by their Japanese counterparts.

He said the CNMI delegation would take the opportunity to discuss with the Tokyo government the recent decision by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to issue a travel advisory to Japanese tourists that lists Saipan and Rota as unsafe destinations.

The advisory cautions Japanese citizens against traveling to the islands due to what it alleged as rampant crimes of robbery, murder, drug use and smuggling on the islands, particularly Saipan and Rota.

Japan is the Commonwealth’s biggest source of tourists and investors, while the tourism industry is the backbone of the local economy.

Mr. Fitial said the group was able to meet with top officials of both the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Transportation to lobby for the local tourism industry.

Aside from the governor, the speaker and Mr. Palacios, others in the delegation were Vice Speaker Alejo M. Mendiola, Commerce and Tourism Committee chair Rep. Bobby T. Guerrero and Rep. Malua T. Peter.

Saipan Chamber of Commerce Lyn Knight, HANMI President Ron Sablan, Strategic Economic Development Council Chair Scott Bowman, Aviation Committee Chair Bob Jones and MVA Board Chair Dave M. Sablan and Managing Director Perry Tenorio were also in the list. (BS)