Myanmar has said it expects to see an increase in the number of Japanese people travelling to the country, after the government announced a decision to provide visa exemptions for Japanese visitors, according to a report in the Myanmar Times. U Ohn Maung, Minister for Hotels and Tourism, said that his ministry had made an effort to promote the country to people from Japan, appointing Japanese celebrities to act as tourism brand ambassadors. In 2017, 100,000 Japanese visitors travelled to Myanmar, many as business travelers, and Ohn Maung said he expects that figure to double. Visa exemptions for Japanese and South Koreans and visas on arrival for tourists from China, Hong Kong and Macau will begin on October 1 as the country looks to boost its tourism industry. “We are also looking to appoint a ‘tourism promotion brand ambassador’ for the South Korea and China markets,” he said, adding that his ministry still wanted to attract western tourists.