clair newsletter no-1.68.pdf

7/27/2019 CLAIR newsletter No-1.68.pdf

1/9

Ibaraki Prefecture is located north-east of Tokyo, with the capital Mito city only an

hour away by train.

Fukuroda Fallsoffers a different breath-taking view for each season. The spring buds,

summer foliage, and brilliant colors of autumn are all spectacular, but the most prized

sight is when the waterfall freezes over in the winter. Not only can you glimpse the

rare, frozen white falls, you can also enjoy ice climbing.

The Ryujin Suspension Bridge is

Honshus longest pedestrian-only

suspension bridge, and the spectacular scenery seen from the 446m

long, 100m high structure provides a simultaneously stunning and

thrillingly unforgettable view.

Between the greatest collection of space development and research

facilities in Asia, astronaut training and exhibits of actual rockets,

Tsukuba City is a place where you can experience the cutting edge of

science and technology firsthand. In addition, you can now try out robot suits at family shopping malls, making this

also a city for having fun with science.

There are 60 sake breweries in Ibaraki alone, putting it in the top five

prefectures nationally and number one in the Kanto region! There are

many unique offerings, such as the 400 year old Nemoto Brewery and

Tsuki-no-I Brewerys organic sake. As well as sake, there is Kiuchi

Breweries with some of the worlds best-selling craft beers, and winerieslike Chateau Kamiya. There is something for everyone in Ibaraki.

As you can see, there is plenty of incentive to see, try, and taste Ibaraki. By

all means, come visit us and experience it for yourself!

Australia Japan Partner for Tourism Exchange 2013IbarakiPrefecture

In This Issue:

1 Ibaraki Prefecture2-3 Invitation to 2014 LGEC Seminar in Japan!

3 Yokohama City Representatives at intl conference

4 Assisting a delegation from Kochi Prefecture

4 Japan Endless Discovery Seminar 2013 in Sydney

5 Assisting the APBEC from Japan

Correspondence

Newsletter Issue No.68

Japan Local Government Centre (CLAIR, Sydney) October2013

6 Promoting the Nagoya City Marathon7 A delegation from Shiroishi visited Hurstville

8 Greeting from our new staff

8 Introducingour new intern

9 From The Director

Page 1


2/9

WWoouullddyyoouu lliikkee ttoo ddiissccoovveerrmmoorree aabboouuttJJaappaanneessee llooccaallggoovveerrnnmmeennttss??

We are offering eligible participants theopportunity to visit Japan in order to promote a better

understanding of Japanese local governments and culture. The

Local Government Exchange and Cooperation Seminar aims to

bring together people from Japan, Australia and New Zealand who

are working at local governments and related organisations by

exchanging information regarding current issues of local

governments. In addition, the seminar provides the participants

the opportunity to learn more about Japanese culture by visiting

several facilities and staying with Japanese families. Since its

establishment in 1997, about 160 executives from Australia and New Zealand have participated in the program.

Local Government Exchange and Cooperation Seminar 2014 includes:

Seminars on Japanese Local Government in Tokyo and Aomori

Prefecture (this years host local government)

Tour of national/local government facilities and cultural sites

Home-stay with Japanese families

Feedback/Discussion

Schedule

The seminar will be held from Sunday 2 February to Wednesday

12 February 2014.

Eligible Participants

Applicants must be local government executives or executives involved in the promotion of local area

international exchange and cooperation.

In addition, applicants from national organisations, research institutes, or other related organisations may be

eligible to participate, providing their backgrounds are related to the theme of the Seminar.

Up to 6 participants will be accepted from the following countries through CLAIR Sydney: Australia and New

Zealand.

Expenses

1. Expenses incurred for Seminar registration and materials will be borne by CLAIR.

2.

Any expenses prior to arrival in Japan and after departing from Japan shall beborne by participants.

3. Expenses incurred during the Seminar period in Japan will be borne by CLAIR.

Tokyo

Local Government Exchange and Cooperation Seminar

Aomori Prefecture

Last years participants

Last years participants

Page 2


3/9

The Prefecture of Aomori is located in the northeast region of Japan and is the northernmost

prefecture of the main island, Honshu. It takes approximately 3 hours by bullet train to get to

Aomori Citythe prefectures capital from Tokyo.

The prefecture is famous for being Japans biggest producer of apples, the finest tuna and its

snow, which is known to be the deepest in Japan.

The Aomori prefectural government plans to provide the participants with a historical and

cultural experience and also visits to the amazing slopes of Mt. Hakkoda, among other things.

The Executives of Aomori prefectural government are looking forward to talking with you

about how to promote tourism.

Please visit theAomori Prefectural Tourism Information Websitefor more information.

ApplicationTo apply, please fill in theFormand send it [email protected] 8 November 2013.

For more details of the seminar, please refer to theOutline.

Please note that there is a limit on the number of participants (6), the outcome of your application will be made

available to you by the end of November 2013.

If you have any questions about the seminar, please feel free to contact us [email protected] 02 9241 5033.

Representatives from Yokohama citys Environmental Planning and Waterworks bureaux, the Japan Waterworks

Association and Japan Institute of Wastewater Engineering and Technology, visited Australia to present at the fifth

Leading Edge Strategic Asset Management (LESAM) conference, held by the International Water Association and

Australian Water Association on 9-10 September in Sydney.

Yokohama is due to host the 2015 LESAM

conference, making their participation in

LESAM 2013 a chance to see how the

Australian hosts run a successful event.

Arriving early on 9 September, the delegation

headed straight to pre-conference workshops,

exploring key issues for discussion at the next conference, as well as gathering information together with other

conference participants.

To help with making the next conference a smooth one, the Japanese visitors met with Paul Freeman, General

Manager of Sydney Waters Liveable Cities Solutions Division, for a briefing on conference preparation and related

topics.

Page 3

Yokohama CityRepresentatives at International Conference

Aomori Prefecture
http://en.aptinet.jp/http://en.aptinet.jp/http://en.aptinet.jp/http://www.jlgc.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Application-Form.dochttp://www.jlgc.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Application-Form.dochttp://www.jlgc.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Application-Form.docmailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.jlgc.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Outline.dochttp://www.jlgc.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Outline.dochttp://www.jlgc.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Outline.docmailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.jlgc.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Outline.docmailto:[email protected]://www.jlgc.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Application-Form.dochttp://en.aptinet.jp/


4/9

On 9-13 September a delegation from Kochi Prefecture, headed by Deputy Governor Takaaki Iwaki visited Sydney and

Melbourne to conduct market research and promote Kochis local products.

Firstly in Sydney, they attended Fine Food Australia which is the largest gathering of international food, drink and

equipment for the retail, food service and hospitality industries. They then researched about local food retailers and

those specializing in Asian foodstuff.

Once in Melbourne they attended business meetings to promote Kochis food and sake and they all went very well.

Before leaving for Melbourne, they received an overview of Australia by CLAIR Sydney Director

On 10 September the Japan National Tourism

Organization held the Japan Tourism Seminar 2013 in

Sydney. Assistant Director Hirasawa gave a presentation

on tourism in Hiroshima, while Assistant Directors

Okuno and Hakuta assisted the visiting staff from

Toyama Prefecture, Nanto City and Takayama City in

running their booth.

In her presentation on Hiroshima, Hirasawa explained

that there are not only two famous World Heritage sites

but also an abundance of sightseeing spots all around

the Hiroshima prefecture, aiming at increasing the

length of tourists stay in Hiroshima. Cycling the

Shimanami Kaido (Onomichi city) and sake tasting at

sake breweries in Saijo

(Higashihiroshima city) were the sightseeing activities

that attracted the Australian attendees interest the

most.

Staff members from Toyama Prefecture, Nanto City and

Takayama City promoted their regions through

presentations, hoping to increase the number of visitors

form Australia. They talked about many tourist

attractions such as Toyama's seafood, a traditional

tourism route called The Samurai Route and the English

Assisting a delegation fromKochi Prefecture

Promotional work at theJapan Endless Discovery Seminar 2013in Sydney

Page 4


5/9

tours available in their areas. They also promoted their

preparedness in welcoming foreign tourists.

The attendees were mainly from tourism companies or

the media, however there were some exceptions one

of whom a food writer who admired the Japanese

regional cuisines. Once the presentations were over, the

attendees walked over to the booths to gain more

details about the presented activities or sightseeing

sites.

The Association of Prefectural Board of Education Chairpersons, maintaining routine links between Boards of

Education throughout Japan, conducts various activities to aim for the implementation of education administrationgoals. As part of these activities, Chairpersons of Prefectural Boards of Education from all over Japan visit countries

implementing advanced educational activities twice per year. During these visits, delegations conduct fact-finding

visits on the host countrys education platform through visits to educational administrative bodies and schools,

exchanges of viewpoints and on-the-ground observance.

This time, to learn about the education platform in Australia, a delegation lead by the Chairperson of the

Association together with four Prefectural Board of Education Chairpersons conducted relevant research and visits in

Sydney and Canberra.

Places visited by the association were as follows:

.

NSW Department of Education and Communities

Abbotsford Public School

Sydney Secondary College Balmain Campus

Sydney Secondary College Blackwattle Bay Campus

Sir Eric Woodward Memorial School

Board of Studies NSW

NSW Institute of Teachers

Australian Government, Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations

We thank you for your cooperation and assistance.

Assisting theAssociation of Prefectural Board of Education Chairpesons

Page 5


6/9

On 22 September, over 34,000 runners from 57 countries joined in the 2013 Sydney Running Festival, including the

Sydney Marathon. From 18-21 September, the Sydney Town Hall hosted the Festivals Event Expo, where competitors

picked up their running bibs and visited exhibition stands, among which was the Nagoya City Marathon, sister

marathon to Sydneys event since last years partnership agreement signing. Nagoya City sent two people togetherwith the Executive Committee of the Marathon Festival Nagoya Aichi, one from Nagoya City and one from the

Chunichi Newspaper Company, to promote next years Nagoya City Marathon, to be held on 9 March 2014.

The thousand flyers the team printed to promote the Nagoya City Marathon quickly ran out, making them rush for

reprints. One member of the Executive Committee took the challenge of the Full Marathon, while two entrants from

Nagoya City invited by the Sydney Marathon Committee entered the 9km Bridge Run and Full Marathon respectively.

As well, four Assistant Directors from CLAIR Sydney ran in the Bridge Run and Full Marathon, and as runners, gave a

boost to the grass-roots exchange between Sydney and Nagoya.

(CLAIR Sydney staff also ran the Sydney Marathon)

Promotingthe Nagoya City Marathon

Page 6


7/9

The Mayor of Shiroishi and the Wing of Shiroishi

Friendship a community delegation from Shiroishi

visited Hurstville for the forthcoming 20th anniversary of

their Sister City relationship. 19 years have passed since

the Sister City agreement was signed on 23 October

1994, meaning that they will be celebrating their 20th

anniversary next year. At the dinner reception that was

thrown to celebrate the milestone, the Mayor of

Shiroishi gave a speech in English. He expressed

gratitude, stating, we suffered from the Great East

Japan Earthquake in 2011, but because of theencouragements given from the people in our Sister

City, we have been able to almost complete the

recovery process. He said in conclusion, I wish our

continuous exchange from the bottom of my heart, and

I believe this will be the foundation of the world peace.

Following the address, certificates of appreciation were

given to the people who have been contributing to the

Sister City exchanges. Some of these people worked

hard on the establishment of the Sister City relationship

while others have been involved in the exchange

activities even before the relationship was established.

The exchanges between both cities have been

supported by these people.

The Mayor of Hurstville together with all the attendees

joined in the Shiroishi Ondo dance, led by the Shiroishi

delegation who hoped to let their friends in Hurstville

experience some of Shiroishis culture. The Mayor of

Shiroishi joyfully led the line dancing, which deepened

their friendship.

Sister City relationshipdeepens with visit from community delegation

Page 7


8/9

Hello, my name is Hiroaki Seino and Im from Aomori Prefecture in Japan. I will be staying in

Sydney for two and a half years from this October onward. This is my first time living overseas

so I am excited to have the opportunity to experience life in a different country and learn

about another culture.

Aomori Prefecture is the northernmost prefecture on Japans main island, Honshu (just south

of Hokkaido) and it is at almost the same latitude as New York and Rome. It is said that,

amongst cities around the world with a population of more than 300,000 Aomori City, the

capital city of Aomori Prefecture has the greatest snowfall over 8 meters. Im into skiing so I often visit the nice ski

resorts in Aomori and you should too!

In addition to working hard at CLAIR, I would also like to enjoy my free time and life in Australia to the fullest.

Hello, my name is Samantha Encarnacion and I have just begun my

internship at CLAIR Sydney. While my parents are originally from the

Philippines, I was born and raised in Sydney and study Tourism

Management combined with Arts in International Studies, majoringin Japanese, at the University of Technology Sydney. As a part of my

degree, I had the wonderful opportunity of spending most of last

year studying at the Hokkaido University of Education, Hakodate

campus in Japan. Having studied Japanese since the beginning of

high school, I have grown to love Japanese language and culture more and more, and look forward to going back to

Japan after I graduate. My favourite part of my Japanese experience so far would have to be dancing in the Yosakoi

Sapporo Soran in 2012 with the Hakodate student team Ibuki. My experience with Ibuki made my whole exchange

experience amazing.

While I am also studying Korean and Mandarin, I want to pursue work relating to international business and am very

interested in CLAIRs work as a Japanese foreign office. In particular, I am very interested in the organization and

practicalities of the JET program. Although I have previously interned at the JNTO, I believe my language ability has

gotten a lot better since then and I look forward to practicing and polishing my Japanese within the office, as well as

learning practical Keigo. I believe this will be very beneficial should I work in Japan. In addition to this, I look forward

to learning more about the roles and activities of the various Japanese municipalities and how these activities are

done in my home town of Sydney.

I am very grateful to have been given the opportunity to work with the various members of CLAIR and to have such a

welcoming team in beginning of my career. I look forward to the rest of my time here and would like to thank the

CLAIR team for their support so far.

Greeting from our new staffHiroaki Seino

IntroducingSamantha Encarnacion, an internship at CLAIR

Page 8


9/9

Local governments and sports activities

Last month, Tokyo was chosen to host the 2020 Olympic Games. The Japanese people were very excited to hear the

news, as were the local governments.

Japanese local governments, in collaboration with schools have the primary responsibility of developing sports

activities. Each local government has a section or a division within its organisational structure which is in charge of

sporting activities. There is also a semi-government, pubic-private organisation called Sports Association in each

local government. Every junior and high school (that is year 7 to 12) has its sports clubs such as baseball, tennis, Judo

and so on. Local governments support their activities financially and build necessary athletic stadium and playing

fields. There are nation-wide competitions between representative high schools of 47 prefectures. Among them, the

national high school baseball tournament called Koshien, which is held in spring and summer every year, is one of

the most popular sporting events in Japan.

For the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, Japanese local governments will allocate more resources to develop good

athletes and build sports facilities. They will also promote tourism to foreign visitors and attract the pre-games

training camps for the participating countries.

I hope in 2020 our staff will play a great role supporting the Green and Gold.

From The Director

Page 9

Japan Local Government Centre (CLAIR, Japan)

Address: Level 12 Challis House 4 Martin Place Sydney NSW 2000

Phone: (02) 9241 5033 Fax: (02) 9241 5014Website: www.jlgc.org.au

E-mail: [email protected]
http://www.jlgc.org.au/http://www.jlgc.org.au/

clair newsletter no-1.68.pdf

Documents