Japan DMC Network (JDN), Japan's First Consortium of DMCs and Local Governments, Officially Launches to Target the 1 Trillion Yen Inbound Luxury Travel Market

--- Creating High-Value Travel Experiences for Global Tourists Seeking Quality in Every Corner of Japan ---

Official Website: https://japandmcnetwork.com/

Japan DMC Network (JDN), the first consortium in Japan (※) bringing together Destination Management Companies (DMCs) specializing in long-haul markets like Europe, North America, Australia, and the Middle East, as well as affluent and high-value travelers, along with local governments, DMOs, and tourism-related businesses, commenced operations on July 1, 2026.

By fostering collaboration between DMCs, who possess deep knowledge of overseas markets, and various regions across Japan, JDN aims to co-create attractive tourism content and services, develop sales channels, and ultimately drive inbound tourism to local areas while promoting sustainable regional tourism development.

<Glossary>

- Long-haul market: Distant markets characterized by long flight distances and travel times from the origin, such as Europe, North America, Australia, Latin America, and the Middle East. These travelers typically have longer stays and higher spending.

- DMC (Destination Management Company): A travel company with in-depth knowledge of regional tourism resources. DMCs go beyond arranging accommodation, transportation, and experiences to also plan and develop tourism content, manage on-site operations, and provide advisory services to local communities.

※ Japan's first: Refers to a consortium that transcends borders, uniting DMCs specializing in long-haul markets and affluent, high-value travelers.

Approximately 2% of inbound tourists generate about 19% of total spending – But the benefits don't reach regional areas.

The Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) defines travelers who spend 1 million yen or more per inbound trip (excluding international airfare) as "high-value travelers." While this segment represents only about 2% of all inbound tourists (approximately 590,000 people), they account for approximately 19% of total spending (around 1 trillion yen) (※As of 2023). However, as the JNTO also points out, the majority of this spending is concentrated in major metropolitan areas, with insufficient spillover into regional areas.

Sources: Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) "Promotion of High-Value Traveler Attraction in Inbound Tourism," Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) "Overview of High-Value Traveler Market Size Survey Results."

The Biggest Challenge: "Fragmented Supply Chains"

Japan faces the following structural challenges in attracting and accommodating travelers from long-haul markets, as well as affluent and high-value tourists:

JDN's Role: A Seamless Process from Discovering Tourism Resources to Developing Sales Channels

Japan DMC Network (JDN) aims to solve these challenges and achieve sustainable regional tourism development by connecting various regions of Japan with DMCs, co-creating tourism content and services that appeal to travelers, and developing sales channels.

As a network of DMCs, each with expertise in specific markets and a deep understanding of traveler characteristics and needs, JDN can realize the following integrated system:

Key Services

Overseas Market Information Provision

Sharing the latest trends in overseas markets through member-exclusive newsletters and market news seminars.

Business Meetings and Networking Events

Annual business meetings and networking events for members (※), with the option to request JDN's planning and operational support.

※ Next scheduled business meeting and networking event: December 2026 - January 2027

Fam Trip (Inspection Tour) Implementation

Support for implementing fam trips (inspection tours) aimed at assessing local reception environments and fostering exchange with businesses.

Reception Environment Improvement and Human Resource Development

Support for improving reception environments based on traveler needs from each market and developing inbound-ready human resources in local areas through seminars and training.

Overseas Promotion Support

Support for promotional activities tailored to each overseas market, such as participation in travel fairs, overseas business meetings, and sales calls.

Member Matching

Facilitating collaboration and cooperation among members based on member information.

Dispatch of Lecturers and Advisors

Dispatching lecturers and advisors suitable for the requested content.

Membership Categories and Annual Fees (Membership Registration Now Open)

- Entrance Fee: None (Annual fee only)

- Fiscal Year: July 1st to June 30th annually. For mid-year admissions, a pro-rated amount will be charged.

- Application: Please apply through the membership registration page at https://japandmcnetwork.com/join.html

Future Outlook

Following its launch, JDN will sequentially roll out overseas market seminars, business meetings, and fam trips for its members, refining regional tourism resources into content suitable for each market. To achieve the Japanese government's goal of "15 trillion yen in inbound tourism spending by 2030," JDN will continue to expand its network of participating DMCs, local governments, and businesses, serving as a practical network responsible for attracting long-haul market, affluent, and high-value travelers to regional areas.

About Japan DMC Network (JDN)

MISSION

Connect regions with the world and create new opportunities for inbound tourism.

Disperse tourism demand and promote sustainable tourism.

VISION

Expand the flow of inbound tourism to regional areas, creating a future where all parts of Japan are sustainably chosen.

- Name: Japan DMC Network (Abbreviation: JDN)

- Organizational Structure / Operating Body: Voluntary association (Secretariat: KEN Inc.)

- Chairman: Takahiro Noguchi (President & CEO, BOJ Inc. & LUXE OKINAWA)

- Establishment: April 1, 2026

- Business Commencement: July 1, 2026

- Founding Member Companies: 5 Executive Companies (BOJ Inc. / KEIDO JAPAN LLC / Houdini Inc. / KEN Inc. / J-LINKS Inc.)

- Location: Mets Miyajima 7F, 2-3-12 Kaminarimon, Taito-ku, Tokyo 111-0034 (within KEN Inc.)

- Official Website: https://japandmcnetwork.com/

Executives

Chairman Takahiro Noguchi

President & CEO, BOJ Inc.

Target Markets: Europe, North America, Australia

Graduated from high school and university in Canada and resided in North America for a total of 12 years, including a business assignment in the United States. Founded BOJ Inc. in 2014 with the mission to convey "the true beauty of Japan that remains largely unknown." The company provides tailor-made travel proposals for affluent travelers from Europe, North America, and Australia. He has been involved in tourism content development, sales support, and advisory services for projects by organizations such as the Ministry of the Environment, the Japan Sports Agency, and the Setouchi Tourism Promotion Organization, and has extensive experience in workshops and public speaking both domestically and internationally.

CEO, LUXE OKINAWA

A DMC specializing in Okinawa, catering exclusively to affluent travelers.

Expert for the "Tourism Town Development Project Utilizing Historical Resources" by the Japan National Tourism Organization Expert for the "Project for Creating High-Value Inbound Tourism Destinations in Regional Areas" by the Japan National Tourism Organization Advisor for the "Luxury Traveler Program (TLA)" by the Tokyo Convention and Visitors Bureau / Advisor for the "Luxury Traveler Program" by Okinawa Prefecture

Why Do Luxury Travelers Visit Certain Regions?

Marketing Strategies for Attracting High-Value Travelers, Explained Through Case Studies Authored by Takahiro Noguchi (Diamond Inc.)

Vice Chairman Dario Lepori

President & Head of Consulting Division, KEIDO JAPAN LLC

Target Markets: Europe, primarily Italy

A specialized DMC for inbound tourism, handling planning, arrangements, and operations. While centered in Italy, it caters to inbound travelers from all over Europe. It serves as the official DMC partner in Japan for "Mistral Tour Internazionale," a major Italian travel company.

Director Akio Kawai

President, Houdini Inc.

Target Markets: Germany, other European countries, North America

With over 10 years of overseas experience, including studies in Mainz, Germany, and Philadelphia, USA, and postings in New York and Beijing, he obtained national tour guide licenses in English, German, and Chinese. After serving as CEO of NTT Data Corporation, a foreign-affiliated consulting firm, and a long-established publisher of Buddhist books, he founded an inbound travel company in 2017. Leveraging his expertise in management and finance consulting, he engages in tourism promotion consulting and inbound business support, while also managing the "Fuji no Kuni Yamanashi Interpreter Guide Association."

Director Yu Kinoshita

President, KEN Inc.

Target Markets: France, French-speaking countries, various European countries

Handles over 100 groups annually, primarily focusing on arrangements for groups and affluent travelers from France and French-speaking regions. Actively promotes inbound tourism to regional areas and engages in projects to attract visitors to these areas in collaboration with local governments, tourism associations, and DMOs.

Director Ayumi Kanba

President, J-LINKS Inc.

Target Markets: Middle East (Gulf States)

After working as a Japanese language teacher in Argentina and in overseas sales for a trading company, she founded J-LINKS Inc. in 2008 with the mission to "create a future where Japanese people and people around the world find happiness through Japan." Her company primarily targets the Middle East, particularly the Gulf states, handling a wide range of travel, from school trips to royal family tours. She is also involved in the operation of "DigiTariff," which supports the creation, management, and utilization of tourism content tariffs, as well as the export and overseas expansion of Japanese brands and products.

View Details

【Contact for Media Inquiries】

Japan DMC Network Secretariat (within KEN Inc.) Contact: Nishimura

Email: [email protected]

Location: Mets Miyajima 7F, 2-3-12 Kaminarimon, Taito-ku, Tokyo 111-0034