Arab News  Japan 

TOKYO: KOIKE Yuriko, the governor of Tokyo visited the shopping district of Ameyokocho in the Ueno district of Tokyo as the Japanese government has just lifted restrictions for foreign visitors concerning quarantine, and group visits. 

Surrounded by impressive security, the governor walked through the shopping aisles where a few foreign tourists were strolling this Monday despite the rain showers.

The governor was accompanied by Futatsugi Tadao, honorary president of the Ueno Ward Tourism Federation. Ueno ward is home to many museums and tourist attractions like Ueno Zoo which houses Japan’s most popular pandas.

During her press briefing, the governor said that she had spoken with merchants who had noticed a considerable increase of foreign visitors. The governor said she wanted the atmosphere to return to pre-2019 before the pandemic arrived but she also commended the compliance with Covid prevention measures observed by merchants.

The Governor mentioned the depreciation of the Yen as an encouraging factor for tourists to purchase products from Ameyoko, 

Ameyokocho, commonly referred to as Ameyoko is a market area that started more than 70 years ago and which then developed into a very popular tourist destination. It is said that the origin of “Amé” came from the many confectioners who had settled after the war along the suspended railway line. It also refers to the many American military surplus stores that line the Yamanote rail line.