Posted on: Monday, October 1, 2001

Editorial
Japan visitors wanted during this new crisis

A survey taken in Japan in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on America's East Coast has identified a sentiment we've seen before. We appreciate the respect that underlies it, but we hope it will quickly change.

As the Persian Gulf War was getting under way a decade ago, prospective Japanese visitors felt that for them to journey to sunny Hawai'i would be disrespectful to the American troops who were on their way to a war zone to risk their lives to — among other things — assure a sufficient supply of Middle Eastern oil to allow the Japanese to be wealthy enough to indulge in international tourism.

Some Americans agreed, until it occurred to them that this respect of Japanese tourists was emptying Hawai'i hotels and bringing on a decade-long economic malaise.

The same sentiment has appeared in Japan following the Sept. 11 attacks. Prospective visitors fear Japanese tourists in Hawai'i would appear disrespectful of those who died in Manhattan, Pennsylvania and at the Pentagon.

Further, because the U.S.-imposed Japanese constitution forbids any military activity that isn't defensive in nature, they fear Americans will feel Japan is not shouldering its fair share of the burden in the coming war against terrorism.

We in Hawai'i appreciate the concern of our friends in Japan, but remind them that it is their patronage as tourists that puts bread on our tables.