10,000 Free Round-Trip Tickets to Japan

[AsahinaKimi]

If you’ve ever wanted to visit Japan, this may be your chance.

In a desperate attempt to lure tourists back to a country plagued by radiation fears and constant earthquakes, the Japan Tourism Agency‘s proposed an unprecedented campaign – 10,000 free roundtrip tickets.

The catch is, you need to publicize your trip on blogs and social media sites.

The number of foreign visitors to Japan has dropped drastically, since a catastrophic earthquake and tsunami triggered a nuclear disaster at the Fukushima Dai-ichi Power plant in March. Nearly 20,000 people have been confirmed dead, while more than 80,000 remain displaced because of radiation concerns. In the first three months following the triple disasters, the number of foreign visitors to Japan was cut in half, compared with the same time in 2010. The strong Japanese currency has made matters worse.

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/abc-blogs/10-000-free-round-trip-tickets-japan-134142507.html

[ananda]

1. Oh dear.

What with all that radiation and all....

[TheWraith]

16. Sigh. You're at much higher risk crossing the street to get a bagel.

The myth of "all that radiation," when there's maybe five square miles in the country where it's remotely dangerous, is exactly the reason they're trying to lure back tourists.

In reality, you would get as much of a dose of radiation on the airplane ride to Japan as you would hanging out in the Fukushima's City Hall for two weeks. Which is still one quarter as much as is absorbed during a mammogram.

[madokie]

2. I'm tempted

I passed through one of the airports 4 times back when I was coming and going to our misguided war with the Vietnamese people but wasn't allowed out of the terminal. What I did get to see was beautiful and I've longed to go back for a visit. My problem for years was the finances now it's my health is not conducive to long travel times. I'll pass this on to those I know who would like to go.

I love all people, heck I love all things that have life

[RegieRocker]

3. Where's the tickets?

[WinkyDink]

4. Gee, I wonder why tourism is down. This campaign is folly in many ways.

[jmg257]

5. Japan is really nice.

I have been numerous times to Tokoyo and Osaka.

My wife is currently in her last week of a 3-week stay in Tokoyo for work. No hassels, the big thing there is energy conservation.

Watch the weather, but other then that - go and enjoy!

[Esse Quam Videri]

6. In all seriousness....

please check out http://enenews.com for the latest info on the extent of radiation in Japan.

[TheWraith]

17. Enenews is the worst kind of tabloid crap.

It's fearmongering and lies. You might as well listen to Fox News for an accurate picture of terrorism.

[The Wielding Truth]

7. Yes. Get the "glow" of Japan.

[MrsBrady]

8. I've got friends in Tokyo.

Maybe I should go. No, seriously.

[nichomachus]

14. Just read that they've detected hot spots in Tokyo

[TheWraith]

21. "Hot spots" of 2.7 microsieverts, which is microscopic.

The level of fearmongering on this is insane, and people's lack of real information is destroying the Japanese economy. It's front-page news when someone finds 2.7 microsieverts on a sidewalk, but nobody mentions that the dose for time spent on an airline flight, any flight, is TEN TIMES higher. Or the fact that a person getting a CT scan absorbs almost 1,000 times as much.

[MineralMan]

9. Wow! I'd love to visit Japan. I'd stay away from the Fukushima

area, but I may just sign up for this if it actually happens.

[joeybee12]

10. I'll bookmark this for April....

Although accomodations aren't cheap there and you'd have to pay for your own!

[TheWraith]

18. Therein lies the catch: it's just tickets, not a hotel.

I'd jump on it in a heartbeat if it included even the most basic accommodations, but that is definitely a big added expense.

[joeybee12]

28. Food is very expensive also, you can't even geta cheap Mcdonald's meal in Tokyo!

[mod mom]

11. My husband would love to go as many of his favorite architects/buildings

are from there. My issue is the distance. I hate flying and get claustrophobic in planes. I think I would get a panic attack on such a long flight.

It's a great deal for those who can take advantage of it.

:hi:

[flamingdem]

12. Rec with reservations - WSJ reports high levels of radioactive material in Tokyo

WSJ: High levels of radioactive material concentrating in Tokyo, Yokohama — 50 times more than gov’t found — 2.71 microsieverts per hour on sidewalk

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204002304576626700579171010.html

So if you're over 60 it might not be so bad...

[TheWraith]

19. 2.7 microsieverts is nothing.

You know what the radiation dose is from taking a 3 hour plane ride? 40 microsieverts.

[flamingdem]

20. Radiation in Japan can be inhaled and eaten in the poorly protected food and drink

and that hits the human body much worse than radiation from a flight.

[TheWraith]

22. Radiation isn't magic. There's this thing we have, science, which measures it.

And the reality is, apart from all the fearmongering and hyperbole, that a person taking a trip to Japan is in exactly zero real danger of anything related to radiation.

[flamingdem]

23. We shall scientifically see how all this turns out

I don't think there is zero real danger and it's controversial how much low level radiation does damage - it's not a case of fearmongering or hyperbole

[Ganja Ninja]

13. Sounds good but I'm waiting for some free tickets to Amsterdam.

:smoke:

[nichomachus]

15. I hear Chernobyl is beautiful this time of year

[dana_b]

27. well here is your chance!

http://tourkiev.com/chernobyltour/

[malthaussen]

29. Aw, Shucks

Sez on the site the government has cancelled the tours.

Durn big gubmint.

-- Mal

[dana_b]

33. ah sorry

I didn't see that. I'm a terrible tour guide. ;)

[Poll_Blind]

24. The Japanese just raised the acceptable level for radiation. If that doesn't tell you everything...

...then I don't know what does.

PB

[progressoid]

25. I'd do that.

But I doubt they would pick me. I don't really do much of that blogging and stuff.

[uppityperson]

26. thanks, will go check it out. I'd love to visit Japan.

[Wait Wut]

30. I'll pass this on to my son.

He was offered a job in Okinawa after he gets out, but couldn't figure out a way to get there. This might help. If nothing else, they could at least visit her family.

Thanks! :hi:

[Rex]

31. If I wasn't tied down here I would go.

In a heartbeat.

[AsahinaKimi]

32. I would love to go

However my passport has long since expired, and getting a renewed one, is a tad bit expensive. I could stay with my uncle in Osaka, but it would be rude to assume, as a family member I can just ask to go and visit with them. I guess I will wait till the economy gets better, and until then, try and hangout in Japantown more often.

[KamaAina]

34. If you ever get bored with Japantown

remember we have one here in San Jose, too.

Bonus: It's a mile or so from the Shark Tank. :hi:

[AsahinaKimi]

35. I have always wanted to visit

The San Jose Japantown. Also Little Tokyo,
but I doubt I could get bored with our Japantown, when NEWPEOPLE is right across the street!


http://www.newpeopleworld.com/