Public Diplomacy

On October 12 and 13, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan conducted Diplomat’s Study Tour together with Niigata Prefecture and Sado City with the participation of 13 ambassadors and others from 10 countries. The diplomatic corps visited the facilities to experience the cultural value and history of the Sado Island Gold Mines, which is being nominated for the inscription on the World Heritage List. Diverse regional attractions including Sado’s culture and histories, its cuisine, traditional performing arts, nature, were promoted to the diplomats.

On October 19, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosted the Regional Promotion Seminar 2023 jointly with the local governments of Nara Prefecture, Shizuoka Prefecture, Koriyama City (Fukushima Prefecture) and Ishioka City (Ibaraki Prefecture) in Tokyo, and 120 participants including Ambassadors and other representatives attended. Each local government made a presentation to the participants on its local industry, tourism, local products, among others and introduced the various attractions of each region through booth displays and stage performances.

In November 2023, Ambassador Ikkatai of Japan in Cote d'Ivoire visited with Mayor Ozeki of Seki City, Gifu Prefecture, and Mayor Shibashi of Gifu City respectively and exchanged views on the expansion of exchange between the two cities in Gifu Prefecture and Cote d'Ivoire.

Shiga Prefecture has been working on a project to restore the "Azuchi Castle" using digital technology with a goal of the 450th anniversary of the castle in 2026. The " Mt. Azuchi folding screen" depicting the exterior of Azuchi Castle is believed to be the key to this project, but its whereabouts have been unknown for many years. The Vice Governor of Shiga Prefecture and the Chairperson of the Prefectural Assembly visited the Vatican to request cooperation on investigating this screen.

Beppu City, which is famous for its hot springs, is targeting the wellness tourism for the sustainable tourism city. Mayor of Beppu City visited Vichy City, also known as resort of hot springs, in order to learn activities of the city about wellness tourism. The two cities have begun to build their exchange through hot springs.