Public Diplomacy

From August 28 to 30, the seventh Tokyo International Conference on Africa Development (TICAD 7) will be held in Yokohama. Yokohama City has strengthened exchanges and cooperation with African countries as Japan’s “Closest City to Africa” by hosting previous two conferences. Prior to TICAD 7, the City, under the slogan of “Africa and Yokohama, Sharing Passion for the Future”, is striving for three challenges; “to expand international technological cooperation”,“to boost business support and promote participation by women”and“to enhance civic exchange activities and foster the future generations”.

Do you know “Arigato”Host Town? Toward the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Japanese local towns and cities are engaged in various exchanges with countries/regions who take part in the Tokyo Games through Host Town Initiative. Especially, “Arigato”Host Town for Supporting Reconstruction initiative is aiming at the three disaster-stricken prefectures (Iwate, Miyagi, and Fukushima). We will introduce one good example of students’ exchanges program between Shizukuishi Town, Iwate Prefecture and Germany.

On July 10, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan and Chiba Convention Bureau and International Center held a Diplomats' Study Tour to Chiba City for the diplomatic corps in Japan. They visited Makuhari Messe, which is a MICE facility and also a venue for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games. They visited industrial, educational and research institutions in Makuhari area and neighboring area in Chiba City, and deepened their understanding about Chiba City.