Public Diplomacy

Saku City in Nagano Prefecture welcomed the pre-games training camps of fencing, Judo, wrestling and track and field (decathlon) for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games this summer as a Host Town of the Republic of Estonia. The exchange has begun since 1998, when a staff of the Embassy of the Republic of Estonia in Japan found by chance a road sign designated “Saku” City on the Joshinetsu Expressway. Then, Saku City in Nagano and Estonia, sharing the same name, signed a friendship city agreement in 2007 and a sister city agreement in 2019 which permits the relationship stronger. Various events such as tourism promotions and music live concerts were held in Saku City of Nagano in order to provide information on Estonia. Even, the Estonian food was served in elementary and junior high schools so that the citizens could get familiar with Estonia. The booms and the enthusiasm will be expected to be expanded more.

The state of Oregon, located on the west coast of the United States, is famous for the City of Portland that has the largest population in the state and is well-known for its lifestyle and creative culture. In addition, thanks to deep forests stretching across the state, the forest industry is a major and remarkable feature in this area. This feature is common with Toyama Prefecture in Japan. Based on the same industrial charms, their exchanges have continuously developed for 30 years. However, only a few people in both communities know this relationship in fact. For that, they have just started to make efforts to appeal their relationship in both digital and analog ways such as monthly online meeting and exchanging each paper-made poster. It is expected that they will continue to make unique attempts contributing to strengthening their cordial tie.

New type of exchanges between Yamagata Prefecture and Thailand are in progress. The first online exchange between them was held this July which was involving various organizations such as Yamagata Prefecture, Yamagata-Thailand Friendship Association, the Embassy of Thailand in Japan, a bank and a travel company in Thailand, local companies in Yamagata etc. Gathering together online, they actively exchanged various opinions as if they were meeting in live. Even a virtual YouTuber joined in. It might be a good opportunity for them to kick off their friendship through the direct and indirect ways.

Lake Biwa, the largest lake in Japan, is not only a main water source for total 14.5 million citizens in Shiga, Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe, but also a home of abundant flora and fauna with its long history of 4 million years.
In order to protect the environment of this mother lake, Shiga Prefecture and its citizens have been making various efforts, which includes citizen’s anti-movement on using the synthetic detergent which may cause the deleterious influence to the lake, taking initiative of the “World Lake Conference” and promoting “Mother Lake Goals” (goals for protecting Lake Biwa) With the lake as a common point, Shiga Prefecture has become sister cities with Michigan State in the U.S. (which has the Lake Michigan), Rio Grande do Sul State in Brazil (which has　Lagoa dos Patos) and Hunan in China (which has the Dongting Lake). They all try to protect the environment of their lakes together.
This year is the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the “Lake Biwa Day”. Being a sustainable society, Shiga Prefecture will spare no efforts to protect the mother lake.  

Kinokawa City in Wakayama Prefecture has a long history of exchange with Vietnam, starting from the lotus seedlings donated byVietnam. In January 2020, the high school students from Wakayama Prefecture visited Vietnam in the JENESYS (Japan-East Asia Network of Exchange for Students and Youths) programme initiated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, to deepen their understanding of the relationship between them. Interactions between Vietnam and Wakayama have not been hindered by the difficulties caused by COVID-19. After the visit to Vietnam, having an opportunity of online exchange in September 2021, they enjoyed renewing their old friendship. It will be expected to continue for a long term.

In Tottori Prefecture, there are 49 of local crafts officially designated by the Governor, as well as 3 traditional crafts including INSHU WASHI, Japanese traditional high-quality paper. The attractive handicrafts of Tottori are being promoted not only in Japan but also overseas.　In the Tottori Crafts Exhibition which is held every year in France, one of the most popular influencers who are also French interior Instagrammers promoted the charms of Tottori. It is truly “Mingei wa Kawaii” (“local craft is cute!!”)

What an exciting partnership with full of dreams and romances!
The tweet about the partnership between the Gifu-Kakamigahara Air and Space Museum and the Museum of Flight in Seattle gained the most attention this month. The Gifu-Kakamigahara Air and Space Museum is active in collaboration with overseas museums.
Based on this partnership, new exhibitions, mutual exchanges of curators, documents and materials are planned in the future. It is highly expected that the museum will be transformed into a global museum!