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TOKYO, May 28, 2014 - Pasona Education Co. Limited will begin an interactive learning tour, Awaji Island Tourism, from August. This interactive learning tour which will be held in Awaji Island, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan targets Hong Kong residents studying Japanese or those interested in Japanese culture.

An increase of 54.9% from the previous year or 746,000 tourists from Hong Kong visited Japan in 2013 according to Japan National Tourism Organization. Many people in Hong Kong are interested in Japan's pop culture such as anime (cartoons) as well as its food and traditional culture and repeatedly visit Japan. Japan's urban communities which have different attractions from the city are heightening efforts to attract visitors from around the world appealing "Cool Japan", or contents perceived to be cool such as anime, food and culture.

The Pasona group supports farming ventures as well as fostering personnel that can contribute to local revitalization. Pasona also is engaged in several local revitalization businesses such as renovating an unused elementary school into a restaurant, bakery and market called Nojima Scuola in Awaji Island.

The Awaji Island Tourism will be held in Awaji Island and will provide participants the opportunity to meet with local residents as well as experience farming, traditional culture and local businesses. The goal of the program is to promote better understanding of Japan's urban communities and its industries through group work and hands on experience.

Pasona Education hopes to contribute to local revitalization through this program so that the people of Hong Kong can experience Japan's Cool Japan other than cartoons and pop culture.

[Outline] Awaji Island Tourism

Goal	Provide firsthand experience of Japan's urban life, culture and industry to the people of Hong Kong through an interactive learning tour in Awaji Island, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan. Also, aim for local revitalization by actively promoting Japan's Cool Japan such as Japan's agriculture and culture to the world and thus increasing the number of foreign visitors.
Begin	August 2014
Eligibility	Those studying Japanese or interested in Japanese culture in Hong Kong Students, adults (Each tour approximately 20 persons)
Duration	1 week (6 nights 7 days)
Fee	HK$10,000 to 12,000 (Excludes flight fee and travel insurance)
Details	Experience Japanese food, farming, traditional culture, industry, local revitalization activities by interacting with local residents > Faming (planting, harvesting, BBQ etc) > Traditional culture (Japanese "taiko" or drums, dance, "kimono" etc) > Industry (Making fireworks, traditional toys etc) > Fieldwork (Marketing, group discussion, presentation etc)
Characteristics	Collaboration with local revitalization activities conducted by Pasona group
Contacts	Pasona Education +852-2577-8384 (Japanese) +852-2577-8002