Retailers in "Akiba" lure foreign tourists with more duty free stores

"Electronics retailers in Tokyo's Akihabara district, popularly known as "Akiba," are looking to tap into new sales avenues by opening duty-free shops to attract foreign customers with cash to burn....Sofmap Co., a major personal computer retailer and subsidiary of Bic Camera Inc., opened a large store specializing in duty-free products for foreign visitors...Chinese-owned Laox Co. runs the largest duty-free dedicated electronics store in the nation... the district is still the nation's mecca of electronics and anime, with more than 2 million foreign tourists visiting each year.There are about 20 large duty-free stores lining Akihabara's main Chuo-dori avenue..Foreigners who are in Japan for up to six months are exempt from the 5 percent consumption tax at the duty-free locations."



Source: Tax-free 'Akiba' lures foreigners
The Yomiuri Shimbun
Nov. 21, 2010
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/business/T101120002529.htm?from=rss&ref=dyolwsj

Sushi rates as the top food tried by foreign tourists

"It may not be a shock to know, foreign tourists visiting Japan enjoy sushi above any other national dish, according to a survey by the Japan National Tourism Organisation."




Source: Sushi is tourists' favourite in Japan
August 8, 2010
AFP
http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-world/sushi-is-tourists-favourite-in-japan-20100808-11qhn.html