President Meets Japanese Ryokan Okami Delegation

Thursday, September 9th, 2010

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President Mohamed Nasheed yesterday has met with a delegation of Okami Association of Japanese Ryokan.

Ryokan is a type of traditional Japanese hotels that originated between early 1600s and mid 1800s. These hotels and inns are usually built in scenic areas near mountains, natural hot springs or by the sea.

This type of traditional hotels are usually owned and managed by women, who are known as Okami.

Japanese communities attach great importance to Ryokans and depend on them to maintain customs and traditions of their regions.

Speaking at the meeting held at the President’s Office this morning, President Nasheed said the Maldivian economy was based on the tourism industry. He said the Maldives economy was open for foreign investments and encouraged Japanese investors to invest in the tourism industry.

The President also noted the long standing and friendly relations between the Maldives and Japan, and the assistance provided by Japan for the development of the Maldives.

At the meeting, the head of Ryokan Okami delegation to the Maldives, President of Japan Education Centre for Hotel Industry and Principal of Hotel School of Japan, Mr Tsutomu Ishizuka briefed the President on the purpose of the visit.

The visit of Okami group is organized under a new international exchange programme, “World Hospitality Exchange Series” that began this year. This visit to the Maldives is the first visit under the new programme.

Mr Ishizuka also noted that the visit marks the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Maldives and Japan.

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