Japan's Michael Jackson impersonator helps tackle overtourism woes

The solution has been found!

At least he’s not telling them to beat it.

That's pretty off the wall. Those tourists must be thrilled.

I would think the MJ impersonator would be adding to the overcrowding unless he is strategically drawing crowds away. And the littering is clearly a result of the choice not to provide garbage cans.

"There are many places and customs that foreigners do not know about,"

Yeah, like carrying garbage around with you all day...

helps tackle overtourism woes

> frequently turns heads in Osaka's bustling Dotombori entertainment district

Dotombori is not overcrowded??? Really???

The Dotonbori vicinity is probably more crowded than any other downtown area in Japan!

Maybe he can start changing perceptions by getting the media to stop referring to ‘over tourism’ every second day.

"There are many places and customs that foreigners do not know about," Jackton said.

How does he distinguish who’s a tourist and who’s a resident?

Maybe he can start changing perceptions by getting the media to stop referring to ‘over tourism’ every second day.

Cue the overtourism deniers!

Cue the overtourism deniers!

They’re never Japanese.

He also received applause for picking litter up off the street and putting it in a trash bin while dancing.

People where probably impressed he could find a trash bin more than anything else

Like claiming you’re addressing overtourism by drawing people from Asakusa to Harajuku.

Kyodo News obviously wanted to feature the impersonator and needed to tie him to a current issue to make the article relevant.

He also received applause for picking litter up off the street and putting it in a trash bin while dancing.

A miracle, since I've never seen garbage bins on city streets here.

He is incredibly annoying and got in my way once while I was cycling, I had to berate him for his selfish behaviour.

"There are many places and customs that foreigners do not know about," Jackton said. "By showcasing the appeal of such places, I hope to prevent the concentration of tourists and improve their satisfaction."

So how about naming those places to those interviewing you. Many people like planning ahead.

Japan had overcrowding before it had any tourists, particularly during the multiple commutes and at absolutely any public event. It has litter because it doesn't have any bins.

If you really want to spread out the tourists, bring back the tourist rail cards that were actually worth purchasing.

Make Up Your Mind Japan!!!

Stop promoting tourism if not prepared to handle it, sick and tired of people complaining and blaming their Poor Planning and FAILURES on tourism when it bringing the nation MILLIONS of dollar, let us at least thank the guests and and do what is takes to make it a pleasant experience for everyone, or just close the borders.

sick and tired of people complaining and blaming their Poor Planning and FAILURES on tourism

Many Japanese share my experience: years ago, they enjoyed pleasant trips to domestic destinations, often visiting multiple times before overtourism became an issue.

More recently, however, they have returned only to find themselves overwhelmed by the sheer crowds.

This is not necessarily a matter of poor planning — such dramatic surges in visitor numbers are often difficult to anticipate in advance.

In our location, we are all very happy it's not a tourist destination except in February for the Sekai no Ume Koen (World Plum Park).

He should burst into Earth Song. If that won't scatter the tourists, nothing will.

Too much discrimination against ‘foreigners’ in Japan. When are people going to realize that it doesn’t matter if you’re black or white?

Leaving Neverland ever shown here?

Thought not.

I thought Yoko Ono had a new gig.

I met Michael and his family years ago. Pre-surgery. Sweet lonely guy. RIP Michael.

I haven't seen a trash can in Dotombori since 1995. How the hell did JackTon find it?

On Dontonbori, there are plenty of large trash cans because you can eat and walk on that street. It is crowded in that area but it is a tourist site not only for foreigners but also for Japanese people visiting Osaka and shoppers. As a tour guide, my guests are well aware of the lack of trash cans in Japan and some of them even carry plastic bags with them for their trash. I've seen this MJ impersonator on Dontonbori but he doesn't draw a huge crowd.