Public Diplomacy

Japan and Australia are the most important friends and partners in Asia and the Pacific. And even at the local level, the state of Victoria (where the City of Melbourne is located) has a sister-city relationship with Aichi Prefecture, and Melbourne has the same relationship with Osaka City as well. In October 2022, Mr. SHIMADA, Consul-General of Japan in Melbourne accompanied the Governor of Victoria on her visit to Aichi Prefecture. On this occasion, Mr. Shimada visited Osaka and Gifu prefectures to exchange views in order to promote ties and cooperation of these local governments with Australia.

“Japan Day 2022”, the largest Japanese cultural festival in New Zealand, was held in Auckland City on 6 November 2022. At the festival, in addition to the demonstrations of the Japanese musical instruments, dance performances on the stage, and other introduction of various Japanese culture, PR activities of Fukuoka City, Sister City of Auckland, and Host Town exchange program were also introduced. This festival provided a good opportunity to increase New Zealanders’ interest in visiting Japan.

Shika Town in Ishikawa Prefecture was the Host Town of Azerbaijan for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games. On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Azerbaijan, the Mayor of the Shika town and his delegation visited Azerbaijan from November 24 to 28, 2022 to promote international exchange. “Shika Tenyu Taiko”, a Japanese drum group from the town, which accompanied the delegation gave a Japanese drum performance at a local shopping center, Deniz Mall and other locations. In addition, the town's tourism and food attractions were displayed at the exhibition booths.

Hiroshima Prefecture and the state of Guanajuato has had a friendly relations since 2014. Then, “Hiroshima Food Festival” was held in Guanajuato as part of the various exchange activities between the two regions. At the festival, which was held for the first time in three years due to COVID-19, while various exchange activities took place between Japanese and Mexican people, Japanese chefs demonstrated Japanese cuisine to the local people. It is expected that this friendly relations between the two regions will further develop on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the establishment of this friendship in 2024.

From October 18 to 19, 2022, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Gunma Prefecture and Tomioka City co-organized Ambassadors' Study Tour to Gunma Prefecture. Participants visited facilities related to Gunma Prefecture's history, culture, and industry, and exchanged views with local people under the theme of “Gunma's History, Present and Future Initiatives”. Attractiveness of Gunma was fully introduced to the ambassadors through this tour