One Facebook page, 53,000 fans -- Singapore really loves Japan

The good folks over at Marketing magazine noted that the Japanese have Facebook to thank if they see a sudden influx of Singaporeans on their shores this year. The launch of Japan's Facebook campaign to promote tourism by the Japan National Tourism Organisation (JNTO) has drawn 53,000 Singaporeans in six weeks to its fan page, and the number's still growing.

Looking at the discussion pages and wall posts, there's a healthy interest in Japan as a holiday destination. What we didn't realize was how widespread the love of all things Japanese were. Fans are swapping tips and itineraries on the Facebook page, which makes JNTO's own Japan Travel Discussion Forum site a bit redundant, considering there's a lot fewer members there.

The popularity's probably helped a lot by the quizzes -- the "Visit Japan 2010" campaign gave away dining vouchers on a weekly basis to their fans who participated in the online activities.

To became a fan, visit www.facebook.com/visitjapan2010 or go to JNTO's Singapore website at www.jnto.org.sg, where there's a "Visit Japan" fan club.