Public Diplomacy

Kamikatsu Town, located in the mountainous area of Tokushima Prefecture, became the first municipality in Japan to make a Zero-waste Declaration in 2003. Kamikatsu Town's advanced initiatives, including its zero-waste program, are being disseminated internationally in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This article features a written interview with Mayor HANAMOTO Yasushi, discussing the significance of international outreach and the future prospects for regional revitalization.

Wakayama Prefecture and the Republic of Türkiye have built a deep friendship through historical events. During the 1890 shipwreck of the Ertuğrul Frigate off the coast of Wakayama Prefecture, local residents carried out dedicated rescue efforts. Furthermore, Turkish Airlines prioritized the evacuation of Japanese nationals during the 1985 Iran-Iraq War, an act also regarded as a symbol of friendship between the two countries. In 2025, the Governor of Wakayama Prefecture and the Mayor of Kushimoto Town visited Türkiye and signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at promoting youth exchanges to foster disaster prevention and cultural understanding. These initiatives are expected to further strengthen the relationship between Wakayama Prefecture and the Republic of Türkiye.

Saku City in Nagano Prefecture and Saku, a town along the distant Baltic coast in Estonia - Their connection began with the mere coincidence of sharing the same name. Over the past 25 years, it has blossomed into citizen exchanges in culture, sports, and education, evolving into a host town role for the Tokyo Olympics and even the awarding of decorations. This story of friendship, built across great distance, is now expanding from the local level to the global stage.

The sister city relationship between Kushiro City and Burnaby, Canada, celebrated its 60th anniversary this year. Delegations from Burnaby visited Kushiro, and vice versa. This article introduces the wide range of exchanges between the two cities.