A Japanese tourism industry delegation of about 3,000 people led by veteran lawmaker Toshihiro Nikai will visit China from May 22-24, a Japan Association of Travel Agents official said Sunday.
The highlight of the visit will be a ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on May 23, attended by a senior Chinese figure, the official said.
The large delegation led by Nikai, chairman of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's General Council, is aimed at building momentum toward improving damaged ties between China and Japan.
Nikai, who boasts strong ties to China among Japanese lawmakers, led a 5,000-strong tourism industry delegation to China in 2000. At that time, then Chinese President Jiang Zemin attended a similar ceremony at the Great Hall of the People.
During the upcoming visit, delegation members are expected to hold business meetings with Chinese travel agencies and visit such cities as Dalian.