Since 2012, Wakayama Prefecture has been training "Koyasan-Kumano Special Zone Guide-Interpreters" based on the Comprehensive Special Zone Law. 180 people have been certified so far, and they guide popular areas such as Mount Koya and the Kumano Kodo trails for a fee. A legal change in January this year recognized local guide-interpreters, but Wakayama Prefecture was one of the first to establish special zone guides. For people with a certain level of language ability, the prefecture offers courses on hospitality skills, geography and history, and on-site training on walking Mount Koya and the Kumano Kodo trails. The prefecture also backs up the placement of special zone guides, and has been working to improve the reception system for foreign tourists visiting Japan. In addition, since 2017, the prefecture has teamed up with Kinki Nippon Tourist to add French, Spanish, and Chinese to the training that was previously only in English. The prefecture is also starting to establish a system to respond in multiple languages. This year, the training business has been entrusted to Kinki Nippon Tourist Kansai (President Shusaku Mita). From September 15th to March 24th next year, courses on itinerary management by active tour directors from KNT Group companies and courses by specialized instructors well versed in manners and hospitality will be held mainly on weekends during the period at two locations in the north and south of the prefecture. After classroom lessons, participants will also undergo on-site training, and on the final day, March 24th, they will take an oral exam and be issued a special zone guide-interpreter registration certificate. Trainees are being recruited until the end of August. There are 100 people to be recruited, of which 50 are English. English: Those who have obtained a TOEIC score of 750 or more or have passed or are expected to pass the Eiken Grade 2 or higher after April 1st this year; French: Those who have passed the Practical French Proficiency Test Grade 2 or higher after April 1st 2016 (same); Spanish: Those who have passed the Spanish Proficiency Test Grade 3 or higher (same); Chinese: Those who have passed the Chinese Proficiency Test Grade 2 or higher (same). Those whose first language is one of these four languages are required to have a Japanese Language Proficiency Test N2 or higher. Applications can be made through the Wakayama Prefecture Tourism and Exchange Division's website. For inquiries, call 073-441-2785.