Japan LDP Lawmakers Form Ninja Promotion Group

Tokyo, Feb. 22 (Jiji Press)--Lawmakers of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party on Thursday held a meeting to mark the establishment of a group aiming to promote the glamour of ninja around the world. The lawmakers' group will support the Japan Ninja Council, which includes municipalities linked to ninja, such as the city of Iga in Mie Prefecture and the city of Koka in the neighboring prefecture of Shiga. It intends to promote ninja-related tourism and regional revitalization. To establish the ninja brand, the group is considering popularizing ninja movies and manga, and establishing a ninja museum. Through the efforts, the group hopes to boost the number of foreign tourists to Japan toward the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics. Keiji Furuya, chairman of the House of Representatives Rules and Administration Committee and head of the lawmakers' group, told the meeting that ninja and manga are very popular among foreigners. "We hope to spread the amazing (ninja) culture and want people in the world to enjoy it," he said. END