
Collaboration with Sanrio ends, responding to criticism in China
AI-generated summary
The sequel to the popular TBS drama "VIVANT" is being filmed in Azerbaijan, and Japanese tourists are starting to visit the filming location. The travel agency's tours were also doing well, and Sanrio ended the collaboration after receiving criticism in China.
Azerbaijan is where the sequel to the popular TBS drama "VIVANT" was filmed, and Japanese tourists are already starting to visit the filming locations. Sales of tours offered by travel agencies are said to be strong, and ``pilgrimages to holy places'' are likely to become more active in the future.
Sanrio ends collaboration with "VIVANT" in response to growing criticism in China
In late October, Mayumi Kishi (47), a company employee visiting from Tokyo, visited the ruins of a bathhouse in the Shirvanshah Palace in the capital Baku, which was used as Jerusalem in the film. "This, this, this. It came out of this end." They cheered as they traced the movements of the characters in the drama and took photos with their smartphones.
Kishi had been planning a trip to Azerbaijan even before he knew the drama would be recorded. Afterwards, I decided to visit the filming location at the suggestion of a friend who was accompanying me, and did some "preparation" just beforehand. ``If you are watching VIVANT, please come,'' he said with a smile.
``Bookist'' is a bookstore in Baku that appeared as a base for the ``Betsuppan'', a top secret intelligence organization of the Self-Defense Forces. Japanese people have come to visit this shop, which is impressively crowded with books, on a daily basis. The owner, a man in his 50s, says, ``Japanese people walk around the store and take photos and videos.The drama helped us form warm bonds.''
Japanese travel agencies have also begun selling tours to filming locations. Hankyu Travel Co., Ltd. (Osaka City) will release an official tour in collaboration with TBS in conjunction with the start of the drama's broadcast. Some reservations for departures from the end of November to October of next year are already on the waiting list, and the company is considering expanding the number of people it can accept, saying, ``Sales are strong, largely due to the influence of television.''
The Azerbaijani side also welcomes this move. Director of the Motion Picture Agency Azizov emphasized in an interview with Jiji Press, ``VIVANT is a historical work that will serve as a bridge between the people of Japan and Azerbaijan.'' He said he hopes more Japanese people will visit Azerbaijan and enjoy its ruins, architecture, cuisine, and more. (Baku Jiji).
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Demand for Japanese people to visit filming locations in Azerbaijan and demand for tours from travel agencies will continue to increase.
Likely · Within months

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