Public Diplomacy

On September 30, local government officials working at MOFA visited the Japan National Tourism Organization and received a lecture on "The Latest Trends in Inbound Tourism to Japan." Through this lecture, the officials deepened their understanding of inbound trends and once again realized the importance of continuing to promote inbound tourism by communicating charms of various areas of Japan.

Oita City and Aveiro City, Portugal, had celebrated the 45th anniversary of their sister city relationship in 2023, and a ceremony was held in Aveiro in July 2024. Ambassador Ota to Portugal participated in the ceremony and exchanged views with Mr. Shimizu, Deputy Mayor of Oita City, and Mr. Esteves, Mayor of Aveiro. This article introduces the connection between Oita City and Aveiro, the “Venice of Portugal”, and highlights from the commemorative ceremony.

The history of exchange between Japan and Poland has been continuing since the rescue of Polish orphans in Siberia (“Siberian Children”) about 100 years ago. In July 2024, Ambassador Miyajima of Japan to Poland visited Tsuruga City, Fukui Prefecture, the first place to welcome Polish orphans, and visited the Port of Humanity Tsuruga Museum, etc. He also visited Ishikawa Prefecture and exchanged opinions with Governor Hase and Mayor Murayama of Kanazawa City.

The Nordic country, Denmark, is a country known for its high ranking in the world happiness index, as well as for its connection with the writer Hans Christian Andersen and the toy manufacturer ”LEGO.” The diplomatic relations between the two countries began with the signing of the Treaty of Amity, Commerce and Navigation with Denmark by the last Shogun, Tokugawa Yoshinobu, in 1867. Since then, the two countries have fostered friendly cooperative relations as countries with long-established imperial and royal families. This article introduces the special relationship between Japan and Denmark in relation to the sea, and the exchange between Wakayama Prefecture and Frederikshavn in northern Jutland.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the sister city affiliation between Naruto City, Tokushima Prefecture, and Lüneburg, located in northern Germany. Since the first delegation visited Lüneburg, more than 1,600 citizens from both cities have traveled between the two cities as members of the delegation. Many friendships have been formed between the citizens of the two cities, and the ties between the two cities have deepened with each passing year. This article introduces the visit of a delegation of 51members, led by the Mayor of Naruto, to Lüneburg in August 2024.