Press Releases
Foreign Minister Kishida to Visit Aomori and Hokkaido Prefectures
(Fourth Round of the “Local to Global” Project)
1. On April 22 and 23, Mr. Fumio Kishida, Minister for Foreign Affairs, will visit Aomori and Hokkaido Prefectures with the diplomatic corps in Japan, circumstances permitting. Minister Kishida will be accompanied by Mr. Shunsuke Takei, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, for the entire visit, and by Mr. Motome Takisawa, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, on the Minister’s visit to Aomori Prefecture.
2. This visit constitutes the fourth round of the “Local to Global” Project, following on from the visit to Miyagi Prefecture in November 2016, Okinawa Prefecture in February 2017, and Kumamoto and Fukuoka Prefectures in March 2017. This project strives to make the attractiveness of regional areas in Japan known throughout the world, as well as attract many foreign visitors and investments to Japan. The upcoming visit aims to deepen the dialogue with the people in Aomori and Hokkaido Prefectures on how to convey the appeal of the prefectures that are coming under the global spotlight as leading sightseeing destinations in Japan, and thereby, contribute to the further revitalization of these regions.
3. During his visit to Aomori (April 22 and 23), the Minister will visit the cities of Hirosaki, Aomori, and Hachinohe. The Minister will tour places such as appealing sightseeing attractions and companies that have world-leading technologies, as well as exchange views with people in the prefecture, in order to appeal Aomori’s attractiveness to the world.
4. During his visit to Hokkaido (April 23), the Minister will hold a discussion with former residents of the Northern Territories. In addition, the Minister will attend a symposium entitled “Dialogue with Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida: Conveying Hokkaido’s Appeal from the Grassroots to the World” that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is organizing at Hokkaido University, at which the Minister will deliver a keynote address and attend the panel discussion. Following the symposium, in Sapporo, the Minister will hold a discussion with Japanese and international students of Hokkaido University, as well as exchange opinions with members of the local business community on conveying Hokkaido’s appeal.
(Reference 1) Outline of the itinerary
| April | 22日 | Depart Tokyo, arrive in Hirosaki |
| Visit places in Hirosaki city | ||
| Hold discussion with Governor of Aomori Prefecture, Mayor of Hirosaki City, and the diplomatic corps in Japan | ||
| Visit places in Aomori city | ||
| Visit places in Hachinohe city | ||
| Hold discussion with members of the business community in Aomori Prefecture | ||
| 23 | Visit places in Hachinohe city | |
| Depart Misawa, arrive in Sapporo | ||
| Hold discussion with former residents of the Northern Territories | ||
| Attend symposium, “Dialogue with Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida” | ||
| Hold discussion with Japanese and international students of Hokkaido University | ||
| Hold discussion with members of the business community in Hokkaido | ||
| Depart Sapporo, arrive in Tokyo |
(Reference 2) Symposium “Dialogue with Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida: Conveying Hokkaido’s Appeal from the Grassroots to the World”
Registration for this event is open until April 13 via the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Japanese) and other channels. Registration is now being accepted by e-mail, fax, and postal mail.
