By Gemma Q. Casas
Variety News Staff

GOVERNOR Benigno R. Fitial left Saipan on Monday for Japan where he is scheduled to meet with executives of various commercial airlines, according to Press Secretary Charles P. Reyes Jr.
Reyes said Lt. Gov. Timothy P. Villagomez is the acting governor until Fitial’s return on Thursday or Friday.
“He has some contacts and friends in Japan who are arranging his meetings with some airline executives,” said Reyes.
“He is willing to meet with any airline that has the potential of bringing in more Japanese tourists to the islands,” he added.
Reyes said although arrivals rate from South Korea and the secondary markets of China and Russia are going up, their combined numbers are still not enough to mitigate the impact of the loss in Japan market.