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Coronavirus

Japanese martial arts emerge as post-COVID tourist attraction

Government looks to 'budo's' global appeal to draw visitors from abroad

Australian tourist Alex Mitrakis, center, visited a dojo in Okinawa to practice with traditional weapons, such as "nunchaku." (Photo by Tomoyoshi Oshikiri)

TOKYO -- Tours that offer visitors from overseas a chance to experience Japanese martial arts, or budo, are sprouting in Japan as the country eases COVID border restrictions.

More than 50 million people worldwide practice the nine Japanese martial arts, including karate and judo. The government is seeking to take advantage of the popularity of budo to lure more foreign tourists to Japan.

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