International working holiday makers in the Niseko area: A research agenda

Numerous studies of working holiday makers (WHMs) have been conducted in Japan and abroad. However, international WHMs staying in Japan have not yet been adequately researched. The working holiday (WH) program in Japan has expanded rapidly in the last decade, so the number of international visitors with a WH visa for Japan has also increased. Their countries of origin have further diversified exponentially, especially in the Niseko area's international ski resorts in Hokkaido. WHMs have contributed to the tourism and hospitality industry in Niseko, and they have become an important part of the entire region's tourism sector. This study analyzes the past and current situations to develop a future research agenda concerning WHMs in the Niseko area.