Public Diplomacy

On March 24, Foreign Minister HAYASHI and Governor FUKUDA of Tochigi Prefecture co-hosted a reception to promote the diverse attractions of Tochigi Prefecture, inviting diplomatic corps to Japan and other guests. The reception featured booths introducing Tochigi Prefecture's specialty products, tourism, and the G7 Ministerial Meeting on Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment to be held in Nikko, as well as the court music of ancient Japan “Gagaku” by Nikko Toshogu Shrine.

On February 21, the Embassy of Japan in Thailand held the "2022 Emperor's Birthday Celebration Reception" at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center.
At the reception, the Bangkok Office of the Japan National Tourism Organization and 10 local governments exhibited booths to actively promote the attractions of Japan.

Tawaramoto Town in Nara Prefecture and Eniwa City in Hokkaido have Host Town relationships with the Republic of Guatemala. In this context, Tawaramoto Town donated badminton equipment to Guatemala in January. Also in March, an online exchange between Eniwa City and Guatemala and a sports equipment’s donation ceremony to Guatemala were held, and Ambassador YAMAMOTO of Japan in Guatemala visited Eniwa City.

On February 28th, the Japanese Embassy in Portugal held an annual meeting in a face-to-face style for the first time in three years. In the meeting, participants, while celebrating the 480th anniversary of friendship between Japan and Portugal, exchanged views on their resumption of interaction between Portuguese government and Japanese culture-related organizations after COVID-19.

Nagasaki prefecture and Quang Nam province have continued their exchange since 2017, triggered by historical ties. This year, an academic symposium to discuss mutual exchange and a visit by Ambassador YAMADA of Japan to Vietnam to Nagasaki Prefecture have taken place. Nagasaki Prefecture will continue to make efforts to further promote friendly exchange with Viet Nam.