〈Articles〉The Utilization of an Ethnic Business Cluster-Zone as a Tourism Resource: A Case Study of Oizumi, Gunma Prefecture

[Abstract] Following the revision of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act in 1990, the number of Brazilians in Japan increased, and clusters of Brazilian ethnic businesses emerged in some areas. The clustering of ethnic Brazilian businesses in Oizumi in Oura District, Gunma Prefecture, led to the formation of "Brazil Town." This thesis analyzes the present situation of Brazil Town and the initiatives utilizing it as a tourism resource. The thesis also examines the problems and potential of utilizing ethnicity as a tourism resource, doing so from four viewpoints: "progression into the mainstream economy," "visual consumption," "ethnic categorization," and "frameworks.