Issue No. 50 Summer 2004

SPECIAL FEATURE A Message from JLGC’s New Deputy Director I have been appointed the new deputy two decades. During this period, I was I look for- director of the Japan Local Government assigned to work for Hokkaido Government ward to visiting Center (JLGC), Toronto, Canada, effective as well as Chitose City Hall in Hokkaido a variety of won- March 18, 2004. I have the honor of taking Prefecture. Recently, I also served as Deputy derful places and over from Hayami Fukudome who served for Director and Professor for the Local meeting many different people in Canada three years. I am very pleased to be given the Autonomy College in Tokyo. while cultivating international exchange and opportunity to work in such an energetic and mutual understanding. Even though these tasks distinctive country as Canada. I look forward The JLGC performs many important can be challenging, I know they will be to living and working in Toronto, an engaging tasks. The center’s main mission is to pro- rewarding. international city. mote the exchange and cooperation of activi- ties between Japanese and Canadian local Finally, I would like to thank you for I have worked at the Ministry of Public authorities, supporting the JET Programme welcoming me and for the assistance I know Management, Home Affairs, Posts and and conducting research on local governments I will be given during my stay here. Telecommunications in Japan for more than in Canada. Junichi Sawada

JLGC UPDATE Hiroshima City Promotes World Peace at the United Nations by Yujiro Toi TABLE OF CONTENTS Assistant Director of JLGC SPECIAL FEATURE JLGC’S New Deputy Director 1 As a member of the staff of the Japan April 30, 2004. Dr Akiba is the president of JLGC UPDATE Local Government Center (JLGC) in New Mayors for Peace, a Category II UN non-gov- Hiroshima City at the United Nations 1 JETAA ACTIVITIES York and a local government employee of ernmental organization (NGO) that helps Work Experience in Japan 3 Hiroshima City, I was honored to assist Dr. member cities coordinate events to abolish PREFECTURE TODAY Tadatoshi Akiba, Mayor of Hiroshima City, nuclear weapons. Iwate Prefecture 4 during his visit to New York from April 27 to JETAA ACTIVITIES JETAA CANADA The Preparatory Committee for the NATIONAL CONFERENCE 2004 5 2005 Review Conference of the Treaty on SPECIAL FEATURE the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons 2004 New JLGC Assistant Directors 6 JLGC UPDATE (NPT) met on April 27 at the United Nations Overseas Study Program 7 (UN) where Dr. Akiba gave closing remarks CORE CITY advocating the abolishment of all nuclear Yokosuka City 8 Masthead: The sakura, or cherry blossom, is Japan’s The Preparatory Committee for the 2005 NPT weapons. cherished national flower. Special hanami parties and Review Conference met on April 27, 2004 at the excursions are held during blossom time each year. United Nations. Continued on page 2

Copyright 2004 Published by Japan Local Government Center The Council of Local Authorities for International Relations, Tokyo JLGC UPDATE Hiroshima City Promotes World Peace at the United Nations

Continued from page 1 sentatives of the UN, non-aligned nations, the attending national delegates will convene at European Union, and the People’s Republic the UN in New York in late April 2005 to The general lack of progress in nuclear of China to promote abolition of nuclear review and amend the NPT. In conjunction disarmament and specific emerging threats weapons. with the 60th anniversary of the atomic bomb- to the international NPT prompted the ings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the planners Executive Committee of Mayors for Peace During this conference, the JLGC hope to provide a powerful message for world to meet in Manchester last October 2003 staff helped Hiroshima and Nagasaki repre- peace by rallying 1,000 NGO representatives and approve an Emergency Campaign to sentatives set up an exhibition booth in front and 100 mayors of major cities to lead the Ban Nuclear Weapons. The campaign was of the main conference room at the UN effort in pursuit of nuclear abolition. They officially launched at the 2nd Global Citizens Headquarters. After Mayor Akiba departed also want one million people lining the streets Conference last November in for Japan, I did my best to answer questions in New York to demonstrate their Nagasaki City. support of the NPT.

This plan envisioned four objec- Mayors are being asked now to tives. First: to mobilize the mayors put “May 2005, New York” on their of twelve major cities to attend the calendars. Grassroots groups around Non-Proliferation Review the world will have representatives at Conference and assist the NGO lob- the NPT Review Conference and bying effort. Second: to mobilize members in the streets. Abolition hundreds of NGO representatives to 2000, an international network of not only attend this conference but to over 2000 organizations in more than lead the lobbying effort in pursuit of 90 countries working for a global nuclear abolition. Third: to organize treaty to eliminate nuclear weapons, thousands of activists to be in New will seek representation from all York City to rally and demonstrate 2000 of its NGOs. During the may- People join in folding Origami at the Hiroshima and Nagasaki on May 1, 2004 and bring world- booth by the conference room. ors’ stay, a massive “Cities World wide media attention to their efforts. Fair and Demonstration” will take Fourth: to encourage all supporting and convey what happened at Hiroshima and place in New York, and on their mayors and NGO representatives to lobby Nagasaki in 1945 by using visual aids and return home, hundreds of coordinated events national governments and encouraging distributing brochures and pamphlets. I also will unfold around the world. The NPT nations that are not parties to the NPT to join demonstrated origami (the Japanese art of Conference and the 2020 Campaign with the and work toward nuclear abolition. folding paper into decorative shapes and fig- aim to eliminate all nuclear weapons by 2020 ures) which helped facilitate conversations will be a world news event. World govern- The first objective was attained when 12 and mitigate the seriousness of the exhibit. ments will be unable to ignore the vast popu- mayors from all over the world attended the When I was in college majoring in politics, I lar support for a nuclear-weapon-free world. Preparatory Committee for the 2005 NPT dreamed of working at the UN and contribut- Review Conference. Mayor Akiba’s poignant ing to world peace. It was exciting to be a If you would like to know more about closing remarks received resounding applause part of this conference and meet so many UN the activities of the Mayors for Peace, from the attending government and NGO rep- representatives to promote this worthy cause. please visit: resentatives. These government officials and http://www.pcf.city.hiroshima.jp/mayors/ NGO representatives would meet with repre- The NPT Review Conference and its english/index.html.

JLGC Newsletter 2 Issue 50 Summer 2004 JETAA ACTIVITIES Making Your Work Experience in Japan a Successful One by F. Joseph Sonido ALT, Kobe-shi (1992-1995)

One of the great aspects of the Japan In addition to working with ALTs, I Education and Teaching (JET) Programme worked with senior Japanese teachers and is working at the grass-roots level of Japanese city officials at the Education Center. I was society, i.e., within their education system fortunate to be able to work with two very and local governments. Unlike our com- passionate educators who were very astute in patriots working for private businesses, managing relationships with the ALTs and the we are able to live and work amongst the city officials. One of the most important Japanese while they educate and lead their lessons is that communication is critical in populace. In this context, as JETs, we developing, maintaining, and repairing rela- are afforded opportunities to contribute tionships. In my 4 years at the KEC, we directly to the ever-changing Japanese dealt with labor relation problems, the Great society. Hanshin Earthquake and numerous individual The author, Mr. F. Joseph Sonido, former situations requiring flexible minds and excel- ALT (Kobe) I would like to take this opportunity lent people and communication skills. opment experiences. If you to share what I learned during my tenure simply show up and do the as a JET and as a privately contracted Whether an ALT or CIR, one of best minimum during your years on Coordinator for International Relations skill sets that can be developed through the JET, you may find it very diffi- (CIR) for the City of Kobe from 1992Ð1998 JET Programme is project management cult to make the transition into in order to help others who work or will skills. I found that the following four princi- your post-JET career. work in a similar capacity. ples were essential to managing my work- load: 4) Think in terms of solutions, not I was fortunate enough to work as an problems Ð life will become Assistant Language Teacher (ALT) from 1) Be organized Ð Since ALTs much more fulfilling if we 1992 through 1994 in some of Kobe’s inner- and CIRs work fairly indepen- keep a positive outlook and city schools and one suburban school. My dently, it is imperative to man- constantly think of different two full years as an ALT gave me an intimate age our time and other ways of solving problems understanding of the job and prepared me resources effectively. instead of worrying or com- to work as the Assistant Supervisor for plaining about problems. International Education Programs at the 2) Communicate Ð Because we Kobe Education Center (KEC), a position I work cross-culturally, we have The real challenge is in striking a bal- served for 4 years Ð my last year as a JET to traverse the barriers to ance between achieving our goals and work- and 3 additional years on a private contract. understanding one another and ing together well with our Japanese col- I believe it is essential that any CIR who that requires effective commu- leagues. There is no magic formula for strik- coordinates JETs should have a good nication strategies. ing that balance as each person is different Ð understanding of the ALT’s duties and but that, again, is one of those great learning day-to-day existence at the senior, middle, 3) Be active, not passive Ð Those opportunities that fulfill the “Exchange” por- and elementary schools. I understand that who succeed after the JET tion of our JET experience. many CIRs serve as prefectural advisors Programme are most often and that demands very keen listening and those who actively seek oppor- Best wishes to all the new 2004 JETs! empathy skills and an understanding of the tunities and turn those opportu- May you make the most of every day you live conditions that ALTs face. nities into learning and devel- and work in Japan.

JLGC Newsletter 3 Issue 50 Summer 2004 PREFECTURE TODAY Iwate Prefecture Japanese Rice Wine in North Carolina! by Chiyoshi Hatakeyama Chief Advisor, Policy Promotion Division, Iwate Prefecture

As the former representative of Iwate Recently, Japanese Prefecture stationed at the Department of brewers are concen- Commerce in the State of North Carolina, my trating on producing crowning achievement was to help promote the ginjo and dai ginjo introduction of rice wine from Iwate to North (super high grade) Carolina. This was by far no easy task and rice wines. Rice for many formidable obstacles stood in the way of ginjo grade is 40 per- North Carolinians’ experiencing and enjoying cent polished with a high quality ginjo (high grade) sake. special enzyme added for flavor. Dai ginjo Rice wine, known in English as sake, is a grades are 50 percent brewed alcoholic beverage made from fer- polished. These wines mented rice. Refined sake, the kind commonly are popular and drunk in Japan is seishu and is often referred served at a cool tem- to as nihonshu (Japanese sake). There are well perature much like over 3,000 manufacturers of refined sake in white grape wine. Japan. Local brands ( jizake) are numerous Indeed, it is still a and produced across the country. To manufac- popular Japanese custom to drink sake while and several business executives enjoyed five ture sake, yeast is first made in a vat of rice, appreciating the beauty of nature. kinds of high quality chilled rice wine along malted rice (koji), which serves as the ferment- with Iwate’s culinary specialties. ing agent and water. Additional amounts of Iwate Prefecture is well suited for brew- these three ingredients are added to the yeast, ing high quality rice wine and it has become a Although it was difficult to distribute and the mixture is left to ferment for 20 days. very popular profession with over 400 brew Iwate rice wine in North Carolina, we success- The mixture is pressed, filtered and blended, masters, the most in the world. The deep fully registered the labels with the state ABC and then pasteurized, bottled and stored. mountains of Iwate provide the source for pure Board. I worked diligently to introduce and Market quality sake’s alcohol content is about mineral water and the rich soil of the Kitakami promote Iwate rice wines by urging retailers to 32 proof and a good quality sake will have a River basin yields many fine grades of rice. display stock, hosting rice wine parties, and subtle blend of flavor and a mellow fragrance. The combination of talented brewers, crystal donating rice wine to Japanese cultural events clear water and great rice makes Iwate famous in North Carolina. With the assistance of a rice as a “Great Rice Wine Land”. wine wholesaler, Iwate rice wine imports have increased and about 200 bottles are consumed Rice wine is a major product of Iwate monthly. Prefecture and because of the good relation- ship between the governments of North Iwate rice wine is now registered in South Carolina and Iwate, Governor Hiroya Masuda Carolina and there are plans to expand distrib- sponsored a rice wine party on August 1, 2003. ution to Georgia and Tennessee. Although I Rice wine (sake) made in Iwate Prefecture is intro- One hundred guests including representatives have returned to Iwate, Japan, my greatest duced for the first time in North Carolina on August 1, 2004 at a rice wine party sponsored by from North Carolina’s Commerce Department, dream will be to see Iwate rice wine enjoyed Iwate Governor Hiroya Masuda (front, left). Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) Commission throughout the United States.

JLGC Newsletter 4 Issue 50 Summer 2004 JETAA ACTIVITIES JETAA CANADA NATIONAL CONFERENCE 2004

JET Alumni Association (JETAA) abroad. Ms. Brenda McDonald, a representa- lasted until 17:00 where participants had CANADA NATIONAL CONFERENCE tive of JET Alumni Association International enthusiastic and positive information 2004 was held in Ottawa, the capital of (JETAAi) that was established in 1995, also exchanges. There was also another evening Canada, from Friday, May 14 to Sunday, moderated some workshops. reception organized by JLGC, where they had May 16. JETAA Canada has seven chap- an excellent opportunity to continue building ters: in Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal, Before the opening of the conference this on their relationships. Winnipeg, Calgary, Vancouver, and year, an evening reception was held in North Alberta, and On Sunday, May this national confer- 16, attendees contin- ence is held annually ued having exciting in rotation. meetings in the morn- ing. JLGC and This year, two Embassy of Japan also representatives from gave presentations each chapter partici- about “Grant in Aid pated in this confer- (GIA)” and “Annual ence. In addition, the Budget Plan” respec- delegates from Japan tively. People devoted Local Government themselves to discus- Center (JLGC) were sion about a lot of Mr. Naofumi Hida, the issues, case studies of Director of JLGC, Mr. activities of each chap- Yoshiyuki Koizumi, ter, representative elec- Assistant Director in tion terms for each charge of JETAA chapter, how to take Representatives attending the successful JETAA CANADA NATIONAL CONFERENCE 2004 in Canada, and Mr. Ottawa. care of sponsorship Matthew Gillam, and goods related with Researcher. The JETAA Canada, and Embassy of Japan also sent Mr. Mutsuharu Embassy of Japan on Friday night, May 14, setting next years interim host chapter. The Nakajima, First Secretary, Ms. Christa and it started with a toast from Takashi Saito, conference finally ended at noon. Amyot, Sr. JET Programme Coordinator, Minister of Embassy of Japan. This reception and Ms. Hisako Shirai, JET Programme was very successful and helped participants During the conference, Ottawa also had a Coordinator. The JETAA Ottawa chapter create good one-on-one relationships prior to famous “Tulip Festival,” which celebrates a sections leaders attended this conference the conference. good relationship based on a beautiful story and moderated each workshop. The between Canada and the Netherlands. Some keynote speech, “Successful Event On Saturday, May 15, JETAA CANADA participants enjoyed attending the event as Planning”, was presented by Ms. Lyse J. NATIONAL CONFERENCE began. Mr. well the conference. JETAA Ottawa impressed Lavictorie who is a seasoned event planner Hida and Mr. Nakajima made the opening all of the attendees with how well it organized for international events in Canada and speech and addressed a great meeting which and coordinated the conference.

JLGC Newsletter 5 Issue 50 Summer 2004 SPECIAL FEATURE A Message from 2004 New JLGC Assistant Directors

Tamaki Yoshida here in New York for the coming two years, Masahiro Nagumo Hello everyone! I’m Tamaki Yoshida, and and I hope it will be full of valuable experi- I am from Niigata Prefecture. Niigata it is an honor to be in New York City. My first ences. I would like to meet a lot of people and is located in northeastern Japan and is name “Tamaki” consists of three Chinese char- visit various places. I am looking forward to famous for its rice and sake (rice wine). acters which respectively mean “many,” meeting and working with you! It is also famous as a winter resort. I have “truths” and “myself.” I am from Yokosuka traveled to many Asian countries, but I have City where the black ships commanded by Junya Kato never visited the United States or Canada. Commodore Perry first entered in 1853 after I am from the Akita Prefectural Also, it is the first time for me to live in the long era of closed ports in Japan. He spent Government. Akita is particularly famous for a foreign country!! It will be a good experi- his later years in New York City until his traditional hot-springs where well-seasoned ence as well as a chance for me to learn death, so I feel a very strong wooden baths and tubs produce both sentimen- about local government admin- connection between the two istration of foreign countries. cities. I am really looking for- I am very excited about my ward to having experiences in new life and work in New the unique culture, cuisine, York, and the great opportuni- music, and everything in New ties that I have never had in York City! my lifetime!! I hope to see you sometime in near future! Yoshiyuki Koizumi I am from Yamanashi Yoichi Takimoto Prefecture, which is famous for I was transferred to Mt. Fuji, the highest and most the Japan Local Govern- beautiful mountain in Japan. ment Center (JLGC) from Starting my New York life, I 2004 New JLGC staff members. L. to R.: Yoshiyuki Koizumi; Tamaki Yoshida; Maki Tomikawa; Masahiro Nagumo; Yoichi Takimoto; Junya Kato Hamamatsu City, known feel like I am standing at the as the birth-place of such gateway of my new future. I tal and elegant experiences. Akita is also big-name companies as wonder what will be there for me when I cross famous for festivals celebrating the rice Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha and Kawai. I the gate, though I know it will all depend on harvest and giving thanks to nature for life, hope that Hamamatsu City will become my own attitude. I hope to have many learn- and the most famous festival is Kanto Matsuri as familiar to you as these famous com- ing opportunities through various experiences (Kanto Festival). A Kanto is an array of panies are. Anyway, my first visit to during my stay in the United States. 46 candle-lit lanterns hung on an 18-meter New York City (NYC) was ten years ago (59 ft.) bamboo pole. The festival centers when I was a college student. I was just a Maki Tomikawa around a competition among a few men to visitor at that time. Now I feel lucky I am from Osaka City, Japan. New York balance a Kanto straight on the palms of their enough to work and live in NYC for the City is my most favorite city in the world. I’ve hands without gripping the poles while parad- next two years. I’m looking forward to even visited it several times and have dreamt ing through the street. Using this traditional learning about not only American’s govern- of living here for a long time. Now my dream test of strength and balance, I would like to mental system and city planning but also has come true! I am excited about working introduce the Akita spirit to New York. its culture and history.

JLGC Newsletter 6 Issue 50 Summer 2004 JLGC UPDATE The Local Government Employee Overseas Study Program by Kazuhiro Yoshikawa (Nara Prefecture)

As a Nara Government employee, I was given an opportunity to participate in the 2003 One-Year Overseas Study Assistance Program. While educating myself about public administra- tion, local government policy and American cul- ture, I was able to improve my English language abili- ty and meet many wonder- ful people who shared their experiences, thereby enriching my life in the United States.

The program, which started in 1992, continues to strengthen and support The author, Mr. Kazuhiro Yoshikawa (front, center), attends Pace University Graduation to complete the One-Year Overseas the educational and cultur- Study Program. al connections between Japan and the United November 2003 and ending March 2004. I For example, the United States advocates States. Sponsored jointly by the Japan Local was placed at Pace University Environmental decentralization of power among govern- Government Center (JLGC), New York and Center and Rye Nature Center in Westchester ments, a dominant role for NPOs, and Pace University, the annual program offers County, New York. My interest in environ- value individualism and diversity. I learned English language study, graduate course on mental policy and education of local govern- that it was also a valuable experience for me American government, field trips to Albany ments and NPOs made me look at diverse to exchange opinions about the differences and Washington D.C., and practical intern- ways of approaching environmental issues. between the United States and Japan with ships. I traveled to the capitals of the United My work entailed data collection on the the staff of offices I visited. States and New York State to study the policy activities offered by other universities and and practices of federal and state executive colleges in preparation for a symposium at I would like to express my sincerest agencies. I also served as an intern for a few Pace Environmental Center and to assist in thanks to all the people who took a lot of weeks in Westchester County Government, compiling data for the Rye Nature Center’s time and energy to support and help me; the the City of White Plains and Grace Church, a guide book. faculty, staff and fellow students of Pace non-profit organization (NPO). University, the staff and other volunteers of Throughout my stay in the United Rye Nature Center, the staff of JLGC and all The program was anchored by a States, I learned about the political and cul- the people I met in the United States. I great- 4-month internship focusing upon partici- tural differences between the United States ly appreciate their kindness and support. I pants’ main research interests, beginning in and Japan. It was more than I imagined! hope to see them again some day.

JLGC Newsletter 7 Issue 50 Summer 2004 CORE CITY

Yokosuka Yokosuka City Ð Past to Present City Symbol by Hiro Matsumoto First Assistant Manager, International Relations Division, City of Yokosuka

Yokosuka is a city in southeastern total is 318 billion, 631 million yen (about Kanagawa Prefecture, central Honshu, Japan. $2.9 billion dollars based on 1$=110 yen) Situated at the mouth of Tokyo Bay with a There are 20 departments and 119 divisions natural harbor, the city of Yokosuka covers within the city government and 3,889 city about seventy percent of the Miura Peninsula. employees. Surrounded by water on its east and west sides, the Japan Current passes near the Historically, Yokosuka pioneered the Yokosuka Research Park is a next generation coastlines, blessing the area with natural modernization of Japan. When Commodore telecommunication technology hub for research and development. beauty and moderate weather throughout its Perry, the first foreigner to knock on the closed four seasons. Yokosuka measures 100.67 door of Japan, arrived at the Yokosuka Port Japanese, “E” means “good”, so it’s a “good square kilometers (1,083.64 square feet) and with his “Black Ships” in 1853, Japan opened city hall”. Progressive information technology is approximately 50 kilometers (31 miles) its door to foreign countries for the first time policies have allowed Yokosuka to develop south of Tokyo. An one-hour train ride pro- in over 200 years. In 1865, French engineers electronic administrative systems including an vides an easy commute to the central business were invited to set up steelworks at Yokosuka open bidding system, ID cards, disaster district of the Tokyo metropolitan area. Port, successfully giving rise to a new industri- telecommunication network, geographical al era in Japan. Capitalizing on its progressive information systems and more to help the city The population of Yokosuka City is esti- accomplishments, Yokosuka quickly became respond to the ever expanding administrative mated at 430,000 people or 160,000 house- a center of heavy industry in Japan. With requirements of its citizens. holds. It was designated as a “Mid-level its deep harbor and geographic location, Designated City” on April 1st, 2001. Yokosuka became a military base and ship- For further information, see the Yokosuka Requirements for the Mid-level Designated building became the natural and prominent City website: City include a geographic area of 100 square industry. It is presently the home to the United http://www.city.yokosuka.kanagawa.jp/e/ kilometers or more and population of 300,000 States Navy and the Japan Maritime Self index.html people or more. Currently, there are 37 cities Defense Force, making Yokosuka the largest

HOKKAIDO in Japan that meet these requirements. Mid- military port in Japan. Other industries quickly PREF. level Designated Cities are responsible for four developed. Led by the Nissan Motor Company, Featured major functions of government: social welfare, the automobile industry has flourished in in this Chitose City health and sanitation, zoning, and environmen- Yokosuka and new high-tech industries have issue: tal protection. sprouted recently, including wireless telecom-

munications and information technology. The AKITA IWATE PREF. PREF.

The municipality of Yokosuka was found- Yokosuka Research Park is fast becoming the NIIGATA PREF. ed in 1907. The city government is led by a center for global research and development in YAMANASHI PREF. publicly elected mayor assisted by two deputy the field of telecommunication technology. KANAGAWA PREF. mayors and a treasurer. The local city council Kobe City Tokyo is comprised of 45 members elected at large Embracing and implementing technologi- Hiroshima City who serve four year terms. The chairman is cal advances sooner than other Japanese cities, Yokosuka City Hamamatsu elected annually by the membership. Yokosuka City has been aggressively working City Osaka NARA to expand the city hall’s computing facilities City PREF.

City governments first and foremost and local area network, with the goal of Nagasaki responsibility is to prepare and implement an becoming a “Cyber City Hall” or “E-City City annual budget. Yokosuka’s 2004 annual budget Hall”. When you say “E-City Hall” in

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