The 2nd Regional Promotion Seminar in fiscal year 2018 (Results)

On December 5, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosted the 2nd Regional Promotion Seminar in fiscal year 2018 jointly with Ibaraki Prefecture, Tochigi Prefecture, Kanagawa Prefecture and Tourism Shizuoka Japan (Shizuoka Prefecture) at Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo. About 170 people including around 70 foreign diplomats in Japan participated in the seminar.
In the first part of the seminar, representatives from all four prefectures made a presentation about their regional attractiveness. Ibaraki introduced its high quality agricultural products produced in rich soil; Tochigi promoted its blessed business environment generated by convenience of transportation and its nature; Kanagawa presented the spiritual world, history and food culture related to Zen; and Shizuoka introduced food, nature and culture flourished along Tokaido, a road which connected the major cities for centries.

In the latter part of the seminar, networking session was held. Ambassadors of Mito-plum from Ibaraki offered Sake and plum wine in the cup of Kasama-yaki (one of the famous Japanese pottery brand). Also, other specialities such as Anko Nabe (Monkfish Hot Pot), tempura and dessert of sweet potatoes, roasted Hitachi-gyu (wagyu) beef etc. were also served. In the Tochigi booth, its famous brand products were served, such as Utsunomiya-gyoza, Sake and strawberry, the top production in Japan. In the stage performance, a bamboo craft artist from Otawara City in Tochigi Prefecture made a bamboo basket and it was gifted to one of the guests.

In the Kanagawa booth, Misaki-maguro (tuna) sushi was especially popular among the participants. Also, non-alcoholic sangria made with rice attracted many diplomats. On the atage, Fuma Ninja show was preformed. In the Shizuoka booth, first class crown melon and wiskey 'Kirin Fuji Sanroku' etc. were served. On the stage, one of The Fifty-three stations of the Tokaido (Hiroshige's ukiyo-e print) was introduced by showing the actural art.

By presenting each region's attractiveness to the participants, this semiar contributed to enhancement of foreign diplomats' understanding about each region of Japan and to networking between the local governments and the diplomatic corps.

Public Diplomacy