The Role of the Tourism Sector in the Development of the Japanese Economy

The purpose of the study is to identify the role of the tourism sector in the development of the Japanese economy. In accordance with this goal, the research objectives are: to reveal the concept of tourism and its role in the development of the country's economy, to review the history of tourism in Japan, to explore the state of the tourism industry in Japan throughout the XIX-XXI centuries, to consider government initiatives in the development of the tourism sector, to identify problems and prospects for the development of the tourism sector in Japan. During the study, certain results were obtained. Firstly, it was determined that the history of tourism in Japan dates back many centuries, during which 6 stages were completed: Heian period (794-1185), Azuchi-Motoyama Period (1568-1602), Tokugawa Period (1603-1867), Meiji Period(1867-1912), the post-war period and the modernstage. Secondly, the role of the tourism sector in the economic development of Japan wasdetermined: this sector accounts for 1.9% of Japan's GDP, its annual growth rate is 3.6%, while it invests more than 40.6 trillion Japanese yen in the country's economy, it provides jobs for 6.9% of the population (4.6 million jobs), and causes 7.4% of economicactivity in Japan. Third, it was determined that for a long period of time the Japanese government stimulated the development of tourism in the country, and different goals were set at different periods. Fourth, it was found that the tourism sector in Japan faces some problems related to the rapid growth of tourism, that has led to an increase in pressure on the country's existing infrastructure, overcrowding in large cities and the difficulty of accessing major attractions.