It took less than 14 months to evolve Japan's Inbound Tourism Initiative from the first statement of political will to the setting up of a campaign headquarters:

February 4, 2002: Japanese Prime Minister Mr Junichiro Koizumi told Parliament: The government will promote Japan's cultural traditions and other tourism resources worldwide to increase the number of foreign visitors to Japan.

June 25, 2002: The Japanese Cabinet issued a package of Economic Revitalisation Strategies, which included an action programme for inbound tourism. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MLIT) was authorised to work with other related ministries to formulate an inbound tourism strategy.

December 24, 2002: The MLIT announced the Inbound Tourism Initiative of Japan.
March 26, 2003: The MLIT convened a high-level strategic meeting to unite the public and private sectors behind the Visit Japan Campaign.

April 1, 2003: Campaign headquarters set up, comprising 58 representatives from related organisations, private companies, ministries and agencies. The Minister for Land, Infrastructure and Transport was designated Headquarters Chairman and Chairman of the Tourism Industry Association (TIJ). Three vice-chairmen were appointed: the Deputy Minister for Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Chairman and CEO of the Japan Tourism Association (JTA) and the President of JNTO.