Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) Sydney Office has welcomed a new Executive Director.
Keita Kadowaki joins from JNTO head office in Tokyo where he has experience with the General Administration, Business Strategy & Promotion Group, Luxury Travel Promotion and Overseas Promotion Departments.
Mr Kadowaki previously served as the Executive Director of the JNTO Los Angeles Office from 2018 – 2020, and he replaces former JNTO Sydney Executive Director, Naoki Kitazara, who will return to the JNTO head office in Tokyo.
Mr Kadowaki is a tourism and hospitality executive with more than 30 years of industry experience in Japan and overseas markets.
Having worked extensively in both the hotel and tourism sectors, he is passionate about connecting international travellers with the unique culture, nature and hospitality of Japan.
Outside work, he enjoys tennis, golf, hiking and reading, and looks forward to exploring Australia’s natural landscapes and outdoor lifestyle.
“I’m excited to be in Australia and I look forward to working with industry partners and progressing the alliances that have been developed over many years,” he said.
2025 was the first time that more than one million Australians visited Japan within a calendar year and JNTO is expecting to see this again in 2026.
In 2026, Japan has welcomed more than 680,000 Australian visitors from January to August, an increase of 3.4% over the same period in 2025.
Mr Kadowaki will help lead the Sydney team and continue the organisation’s objective of driving an increase in traveller numbers to regional Japan through the themes of Adventure Travel, Sustainable Tourism and Luxury Travel, and through the promotion of upcoming events like the GREEN x EXPO 2027 (International Horticultural Expo 2027), which is taking place in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture between March and September.
JNTO’s ongoing marketing programs include trade-focused Japan Roadshows and online training webinars for travel agents, as well as media familiarisation trips and digital, print and social media marketing campaigns that are designed to entice travellers to ‘Wander Wider’.
