Public Diplomacy

On January 23, Miyagi Prefecture welcomed the ambassadors and representatives of 11 countries and regions (Australia, Cambodia, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Kuwait, South Korea, Vietnam, and Taiwan) to Japan to express gratitude for the significant support from these countries and regions in the aftermath of the Great East Japan Earthquake. In addition, the “Miyagi Ambassador Summit” was held to promote the attractiveness and potential of Miyagi Prefecture's investment environment and products, and to stimulate human and economic exchanges in order to attract more visitors and foreign talent.

Ms. Lena Ammon is from New Zealand and works as a CIR at Sakai City Office in Osaka Prefecture. She has contributed an article about her efforts to serve as a bridge between different cultures, and Sakai’s attraction from the perspective of a foreign national. She also introduces her public relation activities, including the presentation to the diplomatic corps in Japan at the "Regional Promotion Seminar" held by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in collaboration with Sakai City, and other local governments in January 2025.

In January 2025, a friendship and exchange agreement was signed between Saint-Gervais-les-Bains City, France and Yamanouchi Town, Nagano Prefecture. Both municipalities share common features including tourism resources such as ski resorts and hot springs, as well as initiatives for preserving the natural environment. Additionally, the mayor of Saint-Gervais-les-Bains City visited Yamanouchi Town during his trip to Japan, and this coincidence played a role in the signing of the friendship exchange agreement about a year after their initial contact.

Saga Prefecture has deepened its relationship with Finland since hosting the pre-camp at the Tokyo 2020 Games and has promoted cooperation in various fields, including childcare policy. Inspired by Fiskars Village, which is revitalized as an “art village”, Hizen Yoshida pottery makers are working to revitalize the production area. To support young artisans and the regional revival, an “artist-in-residence” program has been implemented, and in 2024, a creator collaborated with Hizen Yoshida pottery makers to create artworks.