Capturing demand from inbound tourists

「Although the number of foreign visitors to Japan declined year on year, we steadily captured inbound demand, generating transportation revenue of ¥12.7 billion and Group revenue of ¥8.1 billion, for a total of ¥20.9 billion (95% year on year; 25% of the full-year progress rate).」

「With a view to an era of 60 million visitors, the company aims to revitalize western Japan by promoting travel throughout the region centered on the Osaka integrated resort and the Naniwasuji Line, and by expanding spending on experiences and stays.」

「The company completed transportation for Expo visitors, including improvements at Bentencho and Sakurajima stations, which serve as transfer hubs, direct rapid services between Shin-Osaka and Sakurajima on the Expo Liner, and shuttle bus services to the venue. Operating revenue increased 6.4% year on year to ¥527.8 billion and operating income increased 18.0% to ¥86.3 billion, mainly due to increased usage, including by inbound visitors, as well as initiatives encouraging visitors to tour areas throughout western Japan using the Expo as an opportunity.」

「Development of access transportation for the 2025 Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, including improvements at Bentencho and Sakurajima stations and the launch of the Expo Liner (March)」

「In the Mobility segment, operating revenue increased 6.5% year on year to ¥496.0 billion and operating income increased 6.3% to ¥75.0 billion, driven by increased use of the Hokuriku Shinkansen following the opening of the Kanazawa–Tsuruga section in March 2024 and the recovery in customer use, including inbound tourism demand.」

「In the Travel and Regional Solutions segment, operating revenue increased 26.4% from the previous fiscal year to ¥206.0 billion and operating income increased 29.1% to ¥7.8 billion, mainly due to the recovery in travel demand and contracts for visitor-attraction projects in various regions.」

「In the Travel and Regional Solutions segment, operating revenue increased 42.5% year on year to ¥144.1 billion and operating income increased 65.0% to ¥7.9 billion, mainly due to increased domestic travel demand and strong inbound demand.」

「In the Travel and Regional Solutions segment, operating revenue increased 52.0% year on year to ¥95.0 billion and operating income increased 108.6% to ¥6.5 billion, mainly due to the boost to travel demand from the National Travel Assistance program and strong inbound demand.」

「Arrangements for receiving inbound visitors」

「Although the outlook regarding the impact of COVID-19 remains uncertain in some respects, the Company will continue to promote initiatives throughout the group that enable customers to use its services safely and with peace of mind, while taking opportunities such as the nationwide travel support program and the easing of border-control measures to stimulate tourism demand and encourage use.」

「• Opened the Travel Service Center SHIN-OSAKA at Shin-Osaka Station (August of the same year) • Promoted product sales in partnership with major platforms such as KLOOK and Alibaba (from September of the same year) • Launched a QR-code payment service at ticket vending machines for international visitors (March)」

「• Opened the Travel Service Center SHIN-OSAKA at Shin-Osaka Station (August) • Promoted product sales in partnership with major platforms such as KLOOK and Alibaba (from September)」

「• Began offering products exclusively for international visitors through JR-WEST ONLINE TRAIN RESERVATION (May)」

「• Launch of the internet reservation service for international visitors, JR-WEST ONLINE TRAIN RESERVATION (March)」

「In preparation for the 2025 International Exposition, Osaka, Kansai, which was decided in November last year, the company is preparing operationally and commercially by strengthening its arrangements for receiving international visitors and attracting visitors from Japan and overseas. It will also contribute as a company responsible for social infrastructure while pursuing initiatives for medium- to long-term growth by making the most of this opportunity. • Launch of an internet reservation service for international visitors (scheduled for March this year)」

「• Enhanced the functions of the dedicated counter for international visitors inside the Midori no Madoguchi ticket office at Kyoto Station (April) • Strengthened sales partnerships with local travel agencies and promotional activities by converting the Singapore office into a branch (April)」

「• Launch of the Smart EX service for international visitors (last October) • Renovation of the Hiroshima Station General Information Center (last October) • Expanded multilingual information and announcements at stations and onboard trains」

「• Launch of the “Smart EX” service for foreign visitors to Japan (October of the same year)」

「We also worked to improve arrangements for receiving inbound tourists and enhance the appeal of our membership organization for seniors, Otonabi.」

「As part of our efforts to capture inbound tourism demand, we have offered the wide-area tourism product “Osaka–Tokyo Hokuriku Arch Pass” since April last year. As part of preparations to receive visitors, since March this year we have strengthened sales functions at Kansai Airport Station by adding more ticket-office counters able to provide services in foreign languages, and opened the Travel Service Center Osaka at Osaka Station, providing tourism information, travel consultations, foreign-currency exchange, ticket sales and other services in one location.」

「As part of our efforts to expand inbound tourism demand, we launched the wide-area tourism product “Osaka–Tokyo Hokuriku Arch Pass” in April this year. As part of preparations to receive visitors, we will open the “Travel Service Center OSAKA” at Osaka Station in March next year in cooperation with Osaka Prefecture and the Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau, providing tourism information, travel consultations, foreign-currency exchange, ticket sales and other services in one location. At Kansai Airport Station, we will also strengthen sales functions in March next year by expanding the number of ticket offices from a maximum of 8, including those on the upper floor, to a maximum of 14 on a single floor and adding more counters able to provide services in foreign languages.」

「As part of our efforts to expand inbound tourism demand, we continue to offer the “Saiyu Kikō Setouchi Area Pass,” a wide-area tourism product covering travel from Kansai to Hakata.」

「Regarding the capture of inbound tourism demand, we will work to expand use by developing attractive wide-area tourism routes in cooperation with local communities, expanding promotional areas centered on our Singapore office, and preparing our acceptance infrastructure to accommodate further growth in inbound tourists.」