Showing Friendship in Ryusou and Chima Jeogori An Event on Kokusai Street, Okinawa The Tourism Industry Amid Worsening Japanese-Korean Relations
December 16, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo
On December 15, an event called “Let’s Show Friendship Between Okinawa and South Korea” was held on Kokusai Street in Naha, Okinawa.
Visitors could take photos with female staff in traditional Okinawan dress, called ryusou, and Korean chima jeogori and eat Korean tteokbokki.
Many Okinawans and tourists participated.
The event was planned by travel agencies and hotels based in Okinawa.
Kimiharu Sakamoto, general manager at Novotel Okinawa Naha, does office work. According to Sakamoto, with the relationship between Japan and South Korea worsening, there has been a nearly 90% decline in Korean tourists compared to last year. He explains, “By sharing pictures of the event over social media, we can show that the relationship between civilians is still very good.
We hope this will draw tourists.”
Utako Torisu is a housewife who lives in Naha. Her daughter loves Korea.
Torisu says, “it’s unfortunate that it is getting harder to visit Korea.
I hope this kind of civilian event improves the relationship between the two countries.”
(English translation by T&CT and Ellen Huntley)
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Webcam(Kokusai Street)
