JAL, JR Tokai In Joint Marketing Push To Attract Foreigners

TOKYO (Nikkei)--Japan Airlines Corp. and Central Japan Railway Co. said Friday they will join forces next month in efforts to attract foreign visitors to Japan.

JAL and JR Tokai have butted heads in the past, trying to get foreigners visiting Tokyo, Chubu and Kansai regions to use their services. JAL, for example, had criticized JR Tokai's maglev train plans.

But with tourism slumping, they have decided to cooperate. JAL will start providing information on bullet train tour packages to those purchasing plane tickets via its English-language Web site.

(The Nikkei June 13 morning edition)