Public Diplomacy

On March 17, 2021, young diplomats and government officials from the member states of CARICOM and local citizen from their Host Towns in Kagoshima Prefecture participated in an online exchange event under the “Juntos!! Japan-Latin America and the Caribbean Exchange program”. In this event, they visited together their Host Towns (Osaki, Tokunoshima, Amagi, Wadomari, China and Yoron) on the screen and found various local charms such as beautiful nature, traditional culture and local foods. Both participants from CARICOM and the Host Towns share common awareness of the issues on the coastal environmental problem. They had fruitful discussions at the Q&A session on the coastal cleanup activities in Yoron Island.

The history of the emigration from Okinawa goes back in 1899. In the first place, twenty six “Uchinanchu” (people originally from Okinawa) headed from Okinawa to Hawaii. Many years have passed since then, and now about 420,000 Uchinanchu spread throughout all the five continents. Various efforts are being made to activate this worldwide network, namely "Uchina Network", and hand it down to the next generation.

Oita Prefecture keeps delivering the charms of Oita to many people in Japan and overseas!
The YouTube channel “Oita Hot Place” was launched in October 2020. Selecting your convenient languages, you’ll be navigated to attractive spots in Oita and have experiences in exciting atmosphere. The appearances of many citizens of the prefecture give us a lot of warmth. Now, let‘s watch the video and catch full of charms of Oita !

On March 19, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry co-sponsored the "Global Business Seminar Achieving Greater Investments in the Digital Era" for embassies in Tokyo, foreign-affiliated companies, Japanese companies, economic and industrial organizations in Japan, local governments, etc. With the participation of about 190 people, discussions focused on expanding investment in the field of digital innovation business were held among government officials, experts and business representatives. In addition, City of Sendai and Kyoto Prefecture gave a presentations on efforts to attract foreign capital to create open innovation, and disseminated the attractiveness as an investment destination.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (MOFA) has implemented the personnel exchange program with local governments of Japan over the past years. In this program, officials from local governments work OJT at MOFA in Tokyo and Embassies or Consulates abroad for several years. On March 23, 2021, 16 trainees currently working at MOFA visited Embassy of Finland in Japan and took lectures on the work of the embassy and bilateral relations between Finland and Japan. The lectures were held in Mezza Pavilion, which was newly established last year in the occasion of the Tokyo 2020. In the sessions, they participated in the discussions with great interest, feeling the real Finnish atmosphere. It was a meaningful opportunity for them to have a practical image of the work in a diplomatic mission abroad.

A breathtaking spectacular in this beautiful season in Japan!
The tweet inviting the noble tree “Matabei Zakura” in Uda City, Nara Prefecture, gained the most attention this month. This 300-year-old weeping cherry tree stands on the site of the residence of Goto Matabei, who was a famous Samurai during the Warring States period (Sengoku-Jidai, 15-16 centuries), spent his retirement life. The majestic standing posture of a single cherry tree is reminiscent of brave figure of the great Samurai. "Sengoku romance" is scented from each piece of falling petals.