Kyushu-Okinawa Summit 2000
Outline of Kyushu-Okinawa Summit Meeting
 The Golden Seal, a National Treasure (A collection of the Fukuoka City Museum) |
Because of its geographical proximity to the Chinese Continent and the Korean Peninsula, Fukuoka Prefecture and the whole of northern Kyushu has a long history of cultural exchange with the Asian Continent. It was the first region in Japan to come into contact with Asian cultures. A Dazaifu or local government office was established as early as 664 A.D. in Fukuoka in order to control Kyushu as a unit, as well as to take charge of the nation's foreign diplomatic and military affairs. It prospered as the political, economic and cultural center of Kyushu. |
 "Hakata Hanjo No Zu"by artist Sanzo Wada, depicting the prosperous city life of Hakata during the Medieval Period (A collection of the Fukuoka City Museum) |
In medieval times, Hakata's ports flourished as a base for foreign trade with such countries as China, the Korean Peninsula and the Ryukyu Islands (present day Okinawa). |
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