After Commodore Perry came to Japan, Japan opened its door to the world after 220 years of national isolation. And Japan realized the need to establish a modern state to cope with powerful Western countries. The last shogun Tokugawa Yoshinobu stepped down in 1867, and Emperor Meiji came to the throne. Thus, the Meiji Restoration took place in 1868, which included a series of drastic political, economic and cultural changes. The new government promoted industrialization and modernization, through abolishing the feudal system and introducing Western culture and political systems. The Meiji Restoration also brought about internationalization of Japan and foreign tourists began to visit Japan.
【5】質疑応答の内容 外国人試験官=(A)、日本人試験官=(B)としてください。
(A) Sites of Japan's Meiji Industrial Revolution were designated as UNESCO World Heritage List in 2015. What do you think about that?
The first Tokyo Olympic Games were held in 1964. The Shinkansen between Tokyo and Osaka and Tokyo Metropolitan Expressway started its service in 1964, too. This is the very important historical event from the viewpoint of inbound tourism. In 2020, the second Tokyo Olympic Games will be held in Japan. It is hoped that more and more foreign tourists will visit Japan.
The Great East Japan Earthquake caused a painful disaster in Tohoku district. However, as the Tohoku district has been in the process of recovery and reconstruction, such sightseeing spots as Matsushima and Chuson-ji temple seem to attract as many tourists as before. It is hoped that more and more foreign tourists will visit the Tohoku district in the future.