(財)日本交通公社『五十年史 : 1912-1962』(1962.09)

Shibusawa Eiichi and others organized the Kihinkai (“Welcome Society”) in 1893 in order to entertain foreign dignitaries, but the Society ran into troubles following the Russo-Japanese War. Railroad, steamship, and hotel professionals planned a new organization to attract foreign tourists and with help from Shibusawa and others they founded the Japan Tourist Bureau in 1912. Offices were established in Japan and overseas and business was expanded to also look after Japanese tourists. The Bureau became an incorporated association in 1927 and developed as an organization for the promotion of travel among the general public. In 1942 the Bureau was reorganized as the Zaidan Hojin Toa Ryokosha (“East Asia Travel Agency Foundation”) and then in September 1945 it was renamed the Japan Travel Bureau Foundation and travel services were expanded both at home and abroad. The 50-year history gives a detailed chronology of the history from its establishment, touching also on cultural propaganda activities during the war and postwar publishing operations. There is an appendix with documents at the end of the book. A critical biography of the leaders was published separately as Kono hitobito (“These People”). [The sales department separated in 1963 to form Japan Travel Bureau Inc. (now the JTB Corporation)]