34. What initially appeared to be a minor technical malfunction was later recognized by engineers as ___ of deeper structural flaws embedded in the system's original design.

- symptomatic
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(B) dismissive
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(C) incidental
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(D) decorative

After years of pandemic restrictions, Japan has experienced a dramatic rebound in international tourism, driven by a weak yen, expanded flight routes, and pent-up global demand. While the surge has delivered clear economic benefits, it has also (35)___ long-standing tensions between national growth strategies and local capacity, particularly in historic districts and rural destinations unaccustomed to sustained visitor pressure.

In cities such as Kyoto and Kamakura, residents have raised concerns about congestion, noise, and the erosion of everyday life. Local governments, once eager to attract tourists, now find themselves (36)___ by needing to balance between promoting economic recovery and responding to mounting public frustration. Measures such as higher accommodation taxes, restricted access to certain areas, and differentiated pricing for foreign visitors have been proposed, though each carries political and ethical implications.

Critics argue that Japan's tourism model has relied too heavily on volume rather than sustainability, (37)___ short-term gains while externalizing social costs. At the same time, officials caution that abrupt restrictions could undermine regional economies still struggling to recover. The result is a policy environment marked less by decisive reform than by incremental adjustment.

Ultimately, the challenge of overtourism in Japan is not merely logistical but conceptual. It raises questions about who tourism is for, who bears its costs, and how cultural heritage should be protected without being (38)___ into a consumable spectacle. Whether current measures represent a genuine shift toward sustainable tourism or merely a temporary (39)___ remains an open question.