Japan in Africa

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FEATURE Japan in Africa Partnering to take on a wide range of challenges and provide a better future for Japan and Africa JapanGov (https://www.japan.go.jp) is your digital gateway to Japan. Visit the website and find out more.

JapanGov, the official portal of the Government of Japan, provides a wealth of information regarding various issues that Japan is tackling, and also directs you to the sites of relevant ministries and agencies. It introduces topics such as Abenomics, Japan’s economic revitalization policy, and the attractive investment environment that Abenomics has created. In addition, it highlights Japan’s contributions for international development, including efforts to spread fruit of innovation and quality infrastructure worldwide. You’ll also find the articles of all past issues of “We Are Tomodachi ”(https://www.japan.go.jp/ tomodachi).

JapanGov JapanGov / Japan PMOJAPAN “ W e Are Tomodachi ” is a magaz ine pub lished with the aim of further deepening people’s understanding of the initiatives of the G overnment of Japan and the charms of Japan. Tomodachi means “ friend” in Japanese, and the magaz ine’s title ex presses that Japan is a friend of the countries of the world— one that will cooperate and grow together with them.

FEATURE J ap an in A fric a

M ore t h an a H elp ing H and t o A fric a 6

J ap anese T ec h nology for t h e F u t u re of A fric a 8

Unit ing A fric a and J ap an 10

C u lt iv at ing t h e Z ambian E c onomy 12

PORTRAITS OF JAPAN

T h e S p lendor of A u t u mn F ields 4

R elic s of a H idden C h rist ian P ast in t h e N agasak i R egion 14

UPDATE

T h e E P A B rings Shochu int o t h e E U 16

E x p erienc e J ap an in P aris and L ondon 18

POWER OF INNOVATION COVER Urban Oilfields from Garbage 20 In August 2016, Prime M inister Shinz o Ab e attended the Six th GRASSROOTS AMBASSADOR Tokyo International Conference on African Development ( TICAD V I) Japanese Individuals Contributing Worldwide in N airob i, Kenya. R w anda’ s H idden T reasu re 22 He also visited an annex event, the Japan- Africa EX PO , Friends of Japan that featured advanced technologies, B ringing J ap an t o t h e W orld 24 products, and services Friends of Japan from b oth Kenyan companies A B ridge bet w een C h ina and J ap an 26 and Japanese companies operating in Africa. The JET Programme The nex t TICAD will b e held in R einforc ing R elat ionsh ip s: K orea and J ap an 28 Y okohama, Japan in 2019 .

3 S OF J IT AP A A R N T R O 奈良

P 青森

The Splendor of Autumn Fields Autumn, when verdant trees shift to fiery yellows and burning reds, and here, where seas of cosmos flowers spring into the landscape

Ikoma ｜ NARA 奈良 Towada ｜ AOMORI 青森

Speckles of vermilion and rust Ikoma as far as the eye can see AOMORI Japan’s wide variety of hardwoods provide a rich array of colors in autumn. The word in Japanese is kiseki no kouyou ( miraculous autumn leaves) — a replete ex perience at Tsuta Numa L ake. Tsuta Numa is located in Towada Hachimantai National Park, and many tourists visit its majestic sights and hot springs, which are nurtured by volcanic activity. The autumn colors of Tsuta Numa hold a NARA beauty of their own during the day, but the moment after sunrise awakens the real miracle of the colors. In the morning, the ocean of rich reds reflect against Towada the lake’s surface, seemingly transcending time and space. https://www.en-aomori.com/scenery-004.html

from JAPAN LIBRARY

The temple garnished 『 The Building of Horyu-ji with rich cosmos flowers The Technique and Wood that Made It Possible』 Horyu-ji and Hokki-ji are located in Ikoma Nara Prefecture fascinates visitors every year with its historical sites, and Hokki- and are recognized as the oldest wooden ji Temple maintains the tradition with kaleidoscopic autumn vistas. F ounded in structures in the world, and are registered as the seventh century, the temple is associated with Prince Shotoku, the father of a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site under modern Japanese culture, politics, and government. Hokki-ji is in Ikoma and is the Buddhist Monuments in the Horyu-ji Area. registered together with Horyu-ji Temple as a U NE SCO W orld Cultural Heritage This book focuses on Horyu-ji and the Site under the Buddhist Monuments in the Horyu-ji Area. In early October, essence of Japanese wood culture, refreshing breezes herald the coming of winter and cosmos flowers sprinkle demystifying Buddhist wooden architecture color over the fields, and Japan’s oldest three-story pagoda stands against a that has not survived in China or Korea. vibrant landscape, telling a story rich in history and beauty of the Ikoma area. http://www.jpic.or.jp/japanlibrary/en/books/001720.html https://www.visitnara.jp/venues/A00508/

5 FEATURE Japan in Africa

More than a Helping Hand to Africa

The Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD), a multilateral forum for high-level policy dialogue between leaders and development partners, providing African ownership and international partnerships

fter the Cold War, Commission is participating as an private sector investment is imperative. international support for organizer as well. Such an open, TICAD VI, held in Nairobi, Kenya, AAfrican development was diverse mixture of multi-stakeholders in 2016, attracted 200 private waning, so Japan launched TICAD is unique to TICAD. companies from Japan and led to to address the challenges the continent “TICAD pioneers new territory, the establishment of the Japan-Africa faced. Among these challenges were uniting Africa with countries and Public-Private Economic Forum. poverty alleviation, human resource regions from the EU and the Americas This new mechanism is expected development, and economic growth. to China, Korea, and India to to promote cooperation between Co-organizers for TICAD include participate in high-level, bilateral the public sector and private enterprises some heavy hitters, among them dialogue forums with Africa for the and helps drive commercial enterprise, international development benefi t of the continent,” says Kenzo investment, and trade in Africa. organizations such as the World Oshima, Managing Director of the In international development Bank and United Nations institutions. Africa Society of Japan. cooperation including for Africa, More recently, the African Union As the conference has evolved, Japan has laid emphasis on nurturing its focus has shifted from assistance self-reliance and on the dual to private sector-led activities, such principles of African ownership and as trade and investment—adapting international partnership. Human to Africa’s ever-changing needs. resources development accompanied Traditional government-based by skills transfer is an important facet assistance to relieve poverty such of this policy. as Offi cial Development Assistance Looking ahead, it is hoped that (ODA) remains important as a base Asia-Africa partnerships, as well as

Kenzo Oshima is Managing Director of the of economic development. However, programs to promote “south-south” Africa Society of Japan and former Permanent for sustainable development, society and “triangular” cooperation will Representative of Japan to the United Nations as well as Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian needs job creation and economic be strengthened. Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator. growth, and for that to happen,

6 We are now ready for serious business. S.K. Maina Ambassador of the Republic of Kenya in Japan

A quarter-century after TICAD I convened participants increasingly feel the need to Minister Abe's “Free and Open Indo- in Tokyo in 1993, this ground-breaking shift attention to Africa's competitiveness Pacific Strategy” plan unveiled in Nairobi forum for Africa-Japan dialogue on in global markets. “Japan mooted the adresses issues facing this new world development reached a major turning point TICAD process...when African countries order. “Kenya is a firm believer in rules- with TICAD VI in Nairobi in 2016. Japanese were going through very difficult times,” based international systems,” says the Prime Minister Shinzo Abe headed a huge says Ambassador Maina. Now, however, Ambassador, “we all have to trade among Japanese delegation to Kenya's capital the World Bank is forecasting 6.17% ourselves. If we don't, we all will suffer.” for the first TICAD held on African soil. per annum GDP growth for Kenya, while Yet while no one would deny the powerful Africa's population is expected to reach 2 symbolism, Ambassador of the Republic billion by 2050. of Kenya in Japan S.K. Maina likes to also TICAD participants clearly are focused recall an earlier milestone. “The defining on new dynamics. TICAD VI, for instance, moment for TICAD,” says the Ambassador, held discussions on universal health “was TICAD V in Yokohama, Japan, where care, social stability, and terrorism and the leaders first said that we need to radicalization. “Africa has moved very involve the private sector and move TICAD fast,” says the Ambassador, “and so we to Africa....It has changed TICAD's whole are saying, we are now ready for serious perspective.” business...we have now reached the level There can be little doubt that previous of ‘partnership.'” TICAD forums have had a significant From building railways and hospitals impact on African development. Since to debating global market access for that first 1993 dialogue, transportation African agricultural exports and boosting corridors have been built, ports hi-tech startups, the issues facing TICAD modernized, education and public health 7 delegates in Yokohama next year improved. However, with many early will be very different from those their TICAD goals being achieved, African 1993 predecessors confronted. Prime

Adding efficiency to partnering with Africa: TICAD Aurélien Agbénonci The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of the Republic of Benin

The objective of TICAD is to develop relationships possible. The Republic existing ones for the development multilateral partnerships for Africa of Benin brought up the point that of Africa. to tackle a wide array of challenges, we consider human security, health, extending beyond unidirectional and economic growth to be the three support. Instead, it strives to provide pillars of improving life in Africa, and the tools that lead to socioeconomic everyone agreed that the path for the development, security, and peace improvement is fi nancial strength. through long-term partnerships. Establishing economic zones, TICAD VI, held in Nairobi, Kenya, eliminating corruption, and maintaining exemplifi ed this mission. working environments is expected to Lively and structured conversations drive private-sector investment, and between Africa, Japan, and other TICAD is designing the framework to stakeholders made more powerful build new partnerships and strengthen

7 panning nearly 6,200 launched bidding for SACS at the that message along to Angola.” S kilometers, SACS will connect beginning of 2013. Coincidentally, NEC boasts the technical expertise the capital of Angola, Luanda, with Japan’s Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, of 50 years in the submarine cable northeastern Brazil’s seaport city of announced Japan’s plan to offer business and has laid over 250,000 Fortaleza. It will be the world’s fi rst large-scale assistance to Africa at kilometers of cable, primarily in submarine cable across the South the Fifth Tokyo International Asia and the Pacifi c. That is enough Atlantic, and it will directly link Conference on African Development cable to circle the earth six times. Africa to South America. (TICAD) in June of the same year. Angola Cables, a semistate The cable, constructed by NEC Motoyoshi Tokioka, of NEC’s telecommunications company, Corporation of Japan, will enable submarine network business, said, granted the contract to NEC, and high-speed, large-capacity data “We expected financial support the Japan Bank for International transmissions and substantially from the Japanese government for Cooperation (JBIC) is financing contribute to Africa’s economic this important project, and we sent the project. Sharing its industry development. To diversify their economy, where hydrocarbons account for 70–80% of the national budget, Angola

Fortaleza FEDERATIVE REPUBLIC OF BRAZIL

SACS The world’s fi rst fi ber-optic submarine cable across the South Atlantic Ocean will stretch Luanda Antonio Nunes, CEO of Angola Cables, SA and Tokioka 6,200 km from Angola to Brazil, connecting REPUBLIC OF at the SACS Supply Contract signing ceremony in Luanda, Angola. two continents for high-speed and large data. ANGOLA

FEATURE Japan in Africa Japanese Technology for the Future of Africa As the South Atlantic Cable System (SACS) directly linking Angola to Brazil nears completion, expect higher speed and larger capacity data transmissions

8 expertise with Angola Cables, NEC cable system that is co-owned by economy and the economies of is transmitting Japanese technology Angola Cables. SACS will enable many other countries in the region. to Africa. Once completed, SACS connections via South America Today’s fi nancial markets engaged will tangibly impact economies and between Angola and U.S. cities in automated, ultra high-speed lifestyles throughout Africa. such as Miami, Florida and the trades, making speed more valuable Scheduled for completion in the world’s fi nancial hub, New York. than ever. middle of 2018, SACS will provide Currently, data from South Africa SACS will evolve other industries more than 40 Tbps transmission to New York travels through the as well, including telemedicine capacities between Angola and U.K. and across the North Atlantic systems that demand high network Brazil–the equivalent to more than on exsisting cables. capacity for more precise imaging 1,000 DVDs per second. The new cable system will signifi cantly and accurate remote diagnoses. Fortaleza connects to the U.S. speed up data transmissions to and With a new way to diversify the East Coast with another submarine from Africa, contributing to Angola’s economy, Angola can reduce their dependence on hydrocarbons. SACS will be more than a cable system; it will be the gateway to a prosperous future for Africa.

INFRARED THERMOGRAPHY

Keeping Ebola at Bay

To contain the 2014 W est African E bola outbreak and prevent future outbreaks through border measures, NE C provided 83 infrared cameras to 14 countries, including Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, and L iberia through the Japan International Cooperation Agency ( JICA) . Installed at international airport quarantine areas, infrared cameras screened passengers' body temperatures, distancing them from quarantine officers who would normally Motoyoshi Tokioka holds the deep-sea cable. The larger-diameter cable check for fevers. Japanese aid on the table is for shallow water. to Africa during the E bola crisis With over 30 years of experience totaled 184 million U .S. dollars. in the international telecommunications industry, Tokioka is currently Executive Director, Global Sales for NEC’s submarine network business. He has also served as an executive committee member at SubOptic, a non-profi t organization that helps submarine cable community's growth and development.

Cable to Angola during marine installation.

9 The Africa N ow festival, held in Hib iya Park, June 2018 . In the event, live music, dancing, tourism and handicrafts were introduced. Japan’s F oreign M inister, Taro Kono, attended the opening of the event and visited each b ooth of 3 8 African Emb assies.

FEATURE Japan in Africa Uniting Africa and Japan New initiatives promote talent-exchange and human resource development

apan supports Africa with showcased their uniqueness through Japanese culture. The experiences J issues ranging from poverty food, fashion, and lifestyle. and networks they develop will to confl ict resolution despite the With a similar goal in mind, the serve them in building bridges two regions’ physical and cultural Japanese government established between Japanese and African distances. New levels of stability the African Business Education businesses. and more developed economies Initiative (ABE Initiative) in 2014, Nurturing youth and offering close the gap and open doorways and it is already yielding strong them deep knowledge of both Japan to further development. results. For eligible young African and Africa will provide unlimited In June, the African Diplomatic men and women, this two-year employment opportunities. These Corps hosted a festival called Africa program provides an opportunity initiatives evolve into a mutual Now in Hibiya Park, Tokyo. The to study at Japanese graduate schools support system in society, contributing event aimed to bring the two regions and intern with Japanese companies. to industrial development. It’s an even closer, introducing African Between 2014 and 2017, the program initiative designed to bring the culture to Japan. It drew reasonably welcomed 1,100 Africans. It’s also continent of Africa a little closer sized crowds, and Embassies from an excellent opportunity for young to Japan. 38 African countries based in Tokyo Africans to immerse themselves in

10 “The ABE Initiative improves Africa’s relationship with Japan.” Antony Karanja ABE Initiative Alumnus

“Africa and Japan are far apart, and Karanja is providing them with not only geographically, but also research and insights into the market. culturally and socially,” says Antony “More than aid, what Africa needs Karanja, an ABE Initiative alumnus now is business. Aid fosters from Kenya. “The ABE Initiative is dependency, but business narrowing that gap by facilitating provides an opportunity for mutual understanding. I believe good each country to use its own communication builds strong bridges resources and develop the that unite cultures, regions, and necessary infrastructure for people.” success,”Karanja explains. Karanja was one of the fi rst students “Both Japanese and to come to Japan with ABE Initiative African companies are in 2014. After completing his master's eager to work with each degree at Kyushu University School other. However, the cultural of Economics, he went to work for differences can be a barrier Techlight Mobile Lighting Co., Ltd. to business success. I in Fukuoka. The company is looking hope to bridge that gap.” towards new opportunities in Africa,

“These interactions provide new ways to build bridges between Japan and Africa.” Peter Maina Wanjohi ABE Initiative Alumnus

Peter Maina Wanjohi, one of the highly efficient production systems, students from ABE Initiative’s third and sustainable recycling efforts. batch in 2016, plans to start his own Japan impressed Wanjohi from a business in the future. He’s considering business perspective, but the culture of fruit farming, which is gaining traction consideration and courtesy in Kenya. However, shipping fresh fruit left a lasting impression. can be risky and cost-prohibitive, so he “ABE Initiative offered is also considering other options. me the opportunity to “Partnerships with Japanese experience business and companies could add value to fruit interact with a new culture. products,” he continues, “which would What I learnt in Japan was increase the chances of success.” great,” says Wanjohi. Now At Waseda University, Wanjohi that he understands more conducted research on economic about Japanese business results of education. During his stay in practices, he would like to Japan, he also completed internships return to Africa to support at AGC and Kewpie Corporation, both Japanese and Kenyan learning about their rich product lines, interests.

11 FEATURE Japan in Africa Cultivating the Zambian Economy Dispatched to Zambia as a response to the country’s request for infrastructural support

ocated in south-central growth and poverty reduction. Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) as L Africa, Zambia boasts rich While the agriculture industry the Senior Agricultural Advisor. mineral resources including copper accounts for 67% of Zambia’s It wasn’t the fi rst time that Japan and cobalt. Since the mid-2000s, workforce, it only contributes to provided Zambia agricultural support. the country has achieved steady 8.7% of the GDP. [1] Improved Japan International Cooperation economic growth. However, 2014 productivity will not only help the Agency (JICA) has aided with marked a severe decline in international country’s economy but also contribute projects for technology introduction, copper prices, which combined with to food security as well as increase community-based smallholder other factors, has destabilized the household incomes and improve irrigation and dissemination of rice country’s economy. living standards. cultivation. Inoue, however, would To reduce economic dependence The pursuit of improved productivity offer a different variety of support. on the mining industry, Zambia has led to the Zambian government’s As an advisory member to the launched an initiative to strengthen request for assistance from Japan. Zambian government and the Senior the agriculture sector in hopes of Japan’s response was to send Yutaka Agricultural Advisor to the diversifying the economy for economic Inoue from the Ministry of Agriculture, Ambassador of Japan in Zambia,

Inoue warmly welcomed in Zambia, From left to right: Hidenobu Sobashima: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan; Yutaka Inoue: Senior Agricultural Advisor to the Ambassador of Japan and the Advisor to the Department of Agriculture of Zambia; Micheal Z.J Katambo: Minister of Agriculture, Republic of Zambia; Peter K. Lungu: Director of Department of Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture, Republic of Zambia.

12 JAPAN

REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIA

Japan’s irrigation development support project in Zambia to reap the harvest.

Inoue held a position that helped both governments exchange detailed information including regional diffi culties and cooperation measures. His new role enabled him to take the initiative to discover and plan more effective Offi cial Development Assistance (ODA) projects in a more effi cient way. “My mission is to find further challenges based on the past JICA Meeting with Julius Shawa, Agriculture Permanent Secretary. After joining the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) of Japan, Yutaka Inoue worked on agricultural infrastructure development projects in various regions projects. Being in this position, I in Japan. He was sent to Zambia earlier this year after his activities supporting Tanzania and Egypt. Inoue is now the can always talk to the leaders of Senior Agricultural Advisor to the Ambassador of Japan and the Advisor to the Department of Agriculture of Zambia, Zambia’s Agricultural Ministry, Department of Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture. including the Minister, the Permanent Secretary, and the Director of Department. In this regard, it will almost 100% of its power from government as well as donor agencies. be easier for us to grasp the country’s hydroelectric stations so one would Inoue is monitoring these activities, real needs and respond appropriately think that with such abundant water and now with his new role, he will to those,” says Inoue. resources, the country could put be engaged directly with agriculture Inoue developed agricultural them to use for agriculture. development within the Zambian infrastructure in regions around Unfortunately, irrigation infrastructure government. Japan as a MAFF official, and he is almost non-existent, and much The Zambian government has worked with JICA in Africa as an of the land has yet to be developed. high expectations for the new agricultural water management While the country’s area is classifi ed advisor. Agriculture Permanent specialist. In Tanzania, he was as medium to high potential for Secretary Julius Shawa states, involved with developing the rice agricultural production, only 15% “Having Mr. Inoue in the Ministry industry, and he helped with the is utilized, and very little of that is will facilitate our internal information Project for Strengthening Water adequately irrigated. [2] sharing and speed decision-making. Management Transfer for the Nile Over the past four years, JICA He can directly communicate with in Egypt. “From now on, I will be has supported a low-cost irrigation both governments, and we are committed to enriching the soil in approach, community-based confi dent that he is an invaluable Zambia by moving forward with the smallholder irrigation, in three addition to our offi ce.” irrigation and rice cultivation provinces. The project is acclaimed Inoue added excitedly, “I want to dissemination projects,” says Inoue. for its practicality, effectiveness, become the agricultural bridge Water-rich Zambia produces and efficiency by the Zambian between Japan and Zambia.”

[1] Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock. 2016 Second National Agriculture Policy; Ministry of Department Planning; 2017 Seventh National Development. [2] Embassy of Japan in Zambia Homepage; Aregheore, Eroarome Martin. Country Pasture/Forage Resource Profi les. FAO.

13 Relics of a Hidden Christian Past in the Nagasaki Region

One of the 12 components of the sites: Sakitsu Village in Amakusa City, Kumamoto Prefecture.

Remnants of a Once OF ITS JA Flourishing Christian A P R A T N Community R

P 長崎 Sakitsu is a fishing village in Amakusa, Kumamoto, where missionaries succeeded in converting the majority of the 熊本 population in 1569. During the ban, these Hidden Christians began to incorporate elements of Buddhism and Shinto into their worship. After the shogunate ended the prohibition, the Sakitsu Church enjoyed a renaissance. The church’s unique tatami flooring is a testimony to its ability to incorporate Christianity into local tradition.

14 Hirado City

12 Components of the sites Remains of Villages http://kirishitan.jp/en on Nozaki Island Sasebo City

Goto Archipelago

Nagasaki Region, Nagasaki City NAGASAKI & KUMAMOTO Oura Cathedral

Amakusa City

Sakitsu Village in Amakusa

In June, UNESCO added Hidden Christian Sites in the Nagasaki Region to their list of World Cultural Heritage Sites. These sites have a rich history, dating back to the introduction of Christianity in the 16th century. From 1613, after Christianity was banned by the Tokugawa shogunate, these Christians continued to practice their faith in secret as Hidden Christians (Kakure Kirishitans), working as ordinary farmers and fishermen, some of them even moving to remote areas to develop the land. They passed their tradition on in secret until the government lifted the ban some 200 years later.

A Symbol of Christianity in Japan Overlooking the port of Nagasaki, Oura Cathedral is the oldest standing church in Japan. Built in 1864, this National Treasure is the location of the Miracle of the Orient and the Discovery of Hidden Christians, when a group of Christians came out of hiding to worship openly.

On a Desert Island, a Monument to the Faithful The Nokubi Church sits atop a hill on the now-abandoned Nozaki Island in the Goto Archipelago. It endures as a symbol of the devotion of the 600 Christians who once made this island their sanctuary.

15 UPDATE The EPA Brings Shochu into the EU With the Japan-European Union Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), shochu stands to find its place in the world market

apanese sake. In the Western president Mitsuhiro Takahashi said, J world, it usually refers to “Our main product is rice shochu. nihonshu. In Japan, however, sake At the World Fair, we introduced means alcohol, and shochu is another nihonshu as a brewed beverage and traditional Japanese sake for the rice shochu as distilled. Both are world to explore. made from rice—Japan’s principal

The distilled spirit with a fi ve- crop. We offered a tasting of rice Pairing TAKAHASHI SHUZO rice shochu with sushi hundred-year history is fermented shochu with sushi to show visitors at the Expo Milan 2015. This new category with a koji mold (Aspergillus oryzae) how well it pairs. It was quite a hit.” of alcoholic beverage captivated Italian bartenders. before distillation. Its medley of After the positive response in ingredients gives it distinctive 2015, TAKAHASHI SHUZO’s characteristics, including complex European exports increased 112.5% fl avors and aromas. the following year. In 2017, the Made from sweet potatoes, soba, year-over-year growth rate rose to barley, rice, or brown sugar, shochu 268.5% and continues upward. In brings a new proposition to the Europe, they currently export to table as a spirit (alcohol content the U.K., the Netherlands, Belgium, between 25% and 45%) that can and Sweden, and the number of be served with food. A new category countries is increasing. in the beverage world. Distillers are exploring new ways Nihonshu, as a form of wine, is to bring shochu to the Western easier to pair with food from a world, including a craft gin using Kyushu. Perfect before, during, or Western perspective, making it sweet potato shochu as its base called after meals. Yuzugin has gained easier to market. However, shochu Yuzugin from Kyoya Distiller and popularity in the U.K. After trying stands to hold its own on the global Brewer Co., Ltd. the shochu-based gin, many have gourmet scene. “We wanted to propose a new shown interest in shochu.”—Shinichiro Japan’s southern island of Kyushu spirit that one could enjoy like Watanabe, President of Kyoya is home to many distilleries, including whiskey or brandy at a bar. Yuzugin Distiller and Brewer Co., Ltd. TAKAHASHI SHUZO CO., LTD, offers a clear, fresh flavor with a Negotiations for the EPA started which introduced its rice shochu at balance between sweet potato and in 2013 and were fi nalized in 2017. the Expo Milan 2015. The company citrusy yuzu both sourced from Once in effect, lower tariffs will

16 Shochu bottles from three makers. Bottle shapes and sizes differ by product, and when the EPA goes into effect, relaxing restrictions on bottle quantities, makers can use their original bottles that were designed for individual products.

Presidents of three shochu makers. Left: Mitsuhiro Takahashi, president of TAKAHASHI SHUZO CO., LTD. Center: Shinichiro Watanabe, president of Kyoya Distiller and Brewer Co., Ltd. Right: Kazuto Hombo, president of Hombo Shuzo Co., Ltd.

promote trade, facilitate investment, reputation, and other valuable to bring the real taste of Japanese create new jobs, and bring a sense characteristics. This agreement will shochu to Europe. Also, the relaxed of competition to the market while help prevent imitations from appearing restrictions on quantity per bottle boosting the overall economy. on the world market—which is will allow us to export original The EPA protects Geographical good news for the shochu makers of bottles and caps that we carefully Indications (GI) as intellectual Japan. designed for each product, providing property, using a distinct sign to “The EPA will improve recognition consumers with a wide variety of indicate a product as originating of the Kyushu brand as Shochu Island. options to enjoy.”—Kazuto Hombo, from a particular country, region, Under GI protection, Japanese President of Hombo Shuzo Co., or locality to preserve quality, shochu makers can unite their efforts Ltd. Now, for a toast…

17 UPDATE Experience Japan in Paris and London 2018 could be considered the Year of Japan in Europe, with Japonismes 2018 in Paris and the newly opened Japan House London

ne-hundred-sixty years ago February 2019. Exhibitions, performing It’s exciting that such an opportunity OJapan and France came arts, audiovisual, and art de vivre isn’t available in Japan. Visitors can together to sign the 1858 Treaty of categories will offer over 50 titles. see an exhibition of the explosively Amity and Commerce, and this “Usually when we say Japonism, popular 18th century artist, Jakuchu year the two countries are celebrating we are referring to the 19th century Ito, for the first time in France. the country-wide culture festival, Ukiyo-e boom. However, for the Also, the National Treasure, Fujin Japonismes 2018: les âmes en festival, we’re using it as an Raijin-zu (Wind and Thunder Gods) résonance. introduction to Japanese art.” — will be displayed at Musée Cernuschi. The event, centered in Paris, Tsutomu Sugiura, the President of Enjoy an Eiffel Tower illuminated spans 100 cities across France, which the Japan Cultural Institute in Paris with Japanese colors, a golden throne will hold festivals from July until (The Japan Foundation). over 10-meters tall beneath the

teamLab : Au-dela des limites

Tsutomu Sugiura started at Marubeni as an art trader after graduating from the University of Tokyo, and he worked his way up to a curating position at the gallery. Since 2016, he has been the President of the Japan Cultural Institute in Paris (The Japan Foundation). Sugiura was also Ambassador of Japan to Burkina Faso. Throne©Kohei NAWA | SANDWITH Inc.

Paris Japonismes 2018 https://japonismes.org/en/ Top: A scintillating teamLab installation. Left : The National Treasure, Fujin Raijin-zu. Right: Work by Kohei Nawa at the Louvre.

National Treasure, Wind and Thunder Gods, Tawaraya Soˉtatsu, Kennin-ji Kyoto, Edo period (17th Century)

18 Louvre’s pyramid, and over-hundred and Fujiyama to communicate cultural experiences. For Japanese Japanese fi lms. The recently opened contemporary Japan.”—Michael people, beauty and art exist in teamLab art exhibition is drawing Houlihan, Director General of Japan everyday life. record numbers ––over 14,000 House London. “Right now, we are preparing people every day. The three-story building on the an exhibition for products from “The exhibition FUKAMI–une corner of Kensington High Street Tsubame -Sanjo, Niigata Prefecture. plongée dans l’esthétique japonaise– and Derry Street offers visitors a Even nail clippers are art-level works sums up the entire event concept, sense of Japan through a gallery, of mastery from sophistication to which at its core, introduces diverse event space, and a library, as well sharpness. Orders come from all contemporary and ancient work as a shop and restaurant. It boasts over the world for some handmade drawing on similarities. Examples open spaces and content that introduce razors and the waiting lists can be include displaying Japan’s prehistoric guests to the many facets of Japan’s as long as three months.” Jomon pottery alongside a young unique charm. Creative director and one of artist’s dress, as well as is introducing “Interestingly, the defi nition of Japan’s top designers, Kenya Hara, Japanese aesthetic sensibilities culture is very broad in Japan,” says produces promising work on the referring to Gauguin and Picasso.” Houlihan. In the West, the term philosophy of Japanese craftsmanship culture normally means just art, monozukuri. Now, Enjoy Japan’s Unique Charm music, literature, opera and such. Go to it. See it. Touch it. Buy it. Though in Japan, the rituals of It’s tradition and revolution in yo- “We wanted to go beyond the drinking tea or even some shopping no-bi, the art of everyday life. hackneyed stereotypes such as Geisha practices can be regarded as arts or

Michael Houlihan is the Director General of Japan House London. As a cultural leader and advocate he has held roles such as Director of the Horniman Museum, in South London, Chief Executive of the National Museums and Galleries of Northern Ireland, Director General of Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales, and Chief Executive of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. He has published and lectured internationally on museology, London cultural diplomacy, Japan House London and the memorialization of confl ict. https://www.japanhouselondon.uk Left: Overall design by Masamichi Katayama. Top right: Authentic seating at the Japanese restaurant. Lower right: Located on London’s Kensington High Street.

19 POWER OF INNOVATION Urban Oilﬁ elds from Garbage SEKISUI CHEMICAL CO., LTD. of Japan is pioneering new frontiers, producing ethanol from garbage through a fermentation process

The pilot plant b uilt in a cooperative effort with a disposal treatment facility in Saitama is drawing interest from countries and b usinesses around the world.

he Dec. 6, 2017 press release and began looking into possibilities 1.3 billion tons of garbage a year, read “…breakthrough in the about ten years ago,” says Satoshi and that fi gure is expected to grow T [1] conversion of Municipal Solid Waste Koma, SEKISUI CHEMICAL BR to 2.2 billion by 2025. to ethanol.” SEKISUI CHEMICAL Project General Manager at the SEKISUI CHEMICAL started CO., LTD. is converting Municipal Corporate R&D Center. operations in 1947 as a general Solid Waste (MSW) marked for Postwar Japan’s accelerated growth plastics producer, and soon the landfi ll or incineration into new led to large-scale production company was tackling Japan’s water products that otherwise would have and consumerism, resulting in supply and sewage issues with vinyl come from fossil resources. As the unprecedented amounts of garbage, chloride piping, which is corrosion world faces depleted fossil resources which opened the world’s eyes to resistant, light, and easy to assemble. and a mounting waste problem, this the consequences of waste on health, However, the footprint that plastic technology offers new hope for a safety, and the environment— manufacturing leaves on the cleaner, healthier planet. including dioxin emissions and soil environment, particularly concerning “We asked ourselves if we could pollution. The World Bank estimates CO2 emissions and resource convert trash into a natural resource that the planet is currently managing depletion, has caused the industry to reevaluate its approach. SEKISUI CHEMICAL estimates

L eft: Satoshi Koma joined SEKISUI CHEM ICAL in that Japan produces about 60 million 19 9 5 , where he took charge of ethanol production tons of burnable trash a year, based from the W aste Technology Development Project. He is currently G eneral M anager of B R Project, on a Ministry of the Environment Corporate R& D Center. report.[2] When converted into

Right: Shinichi Tsukagawa joined SEKISUI calories, this amounts to 200 trillion CHEM ICAL in 19 9 7 . After working in SEKISUI’s kilocalories. Fossil resources used Residential Division, he moved to the B R Promotional G roup where he is currently M anager in plastic production amount to of B R Project, Corporate R& D Center.

20 The new technology established by SEKISUI CHEMICAL

! ! Challenges Miscellaneous and Fluctuation in gas constituents highly heterogeneous and composition

Garbage Gasification Gas Purification Gas Ethanol Reaction Product Collection → LanzaTech’s Proprietary Microbes Use “as is” in Existing Ethanol unsorted state technology

H H C O H H C O

C O H C O H H H (1) (2) (3) Points of Convert miscellaneous Removal and Production technology development garbage into single refining of that can be adjusted to raw material gas contaminants withstand large fluctuations New technology established by SEKISUI CHEMICAL

Ethanol generated from comb ustib le garb age with support from L anz aTech, USA offers potential as another income stream for governments.

150 trillion kilocalories a year, so “The microbes we’re working with BR Promotion Group Section Chief this is where Koma and his team have existed on earth since time Shinichi Tsukagawa tells us, “Once decided to shift their attention. immemorial, and this is a safe we have these recycling plants The technology for converting technology,” Koma assures us. “These operating alongside waste disposal burnable trash into gas is well microbes produce ethanol through facilities and incinerators, we’ll be established in Japan, but this waste the same fermentation process we able to realize our vision of producing includes a mix of organics, plastics, use to make drinking alcohol.” raw materials locally using local and paper products that make the On occasion, the volatile gasses waste as feedstock.” components unstable, inconsistent, released by the process would This new technology is efficient and full of impurities. With typical slow fermentation or even kill the and more profitable than catalysts, recycling these fossil bacteria off. This problem inspired conventional technology, and since resources has been extremely diffi cult, SEKISUI CHEMICAL to develop the 2017 press release, governments but Koma and his team discovered a system for removing impurities and businesses around the world that microorganisms are likely from the gas, providing an ideal have inquired about the system. candidates for replacement catalysts environment for the working Also, several European and Asian due to their compatibility with microbes. In 2014, pilot plant countries have expressed interest in Japan’s burnable garbage. operations commenced at the building their own plants. SEKISUI This led them to partner with Saitama disposal treatment facility CHEMICAL is bringing a new American biotech leader LanzaTech, managed by ORIX Environmental vision of total resource recycling whose extensive expertise in microbe- Resources Management Corporation. to the world as operations at the based carbon conversion enabled “There are 1,200 garbage incinerators first plant commence in 2019. Koma’s project to advance rapidly. in Japan,” SEKISUI CHEMICAL’s

[ 1] The W orld B ank, “ Solid W aste M anagement” ( M arch 27 , 2018 ) . [ 2] M inistry of Environment, “ Report on the Investigation into the Actual Recycling of W aste M aterials and Transport of W aste M aterials over W ide Areas” ( 2016)

21 GRASSROOTS AMBASSADOR Japanese Individuals Contributing Worldwide Rwanda’s Hidden Treasure Still relatively unknown, Rwandan coffee is the country’s number one export, and one Japanese man intends to share it with the world

JAPAN

REPUBLIC OF RWANDA

wanda boasts a coffee “José” Kawashima—known as the says. He continues, “This cultivar R industry that spans over a Coffee Hunter because of his ultimately took the name Bourbon century. Its high elevation, temperate knowledge and expertise combined Mibirizi. However, disease had tropical highland climate, and with an ability to discover rare seemingly wiped it out.” fertile volcanic soils provide an varieties and talented producers While visiting Mibirizi, a forlorn ideal environment for the plant to around the world. Governments coffee plot behind a church caught thrive, and government backing and royal foundations regularly call Kawashima’s eye. Upon inspection, has improved production quality. on him to work alongside farmers he realized it was a Bourbon Mibirizi, However, growers had been unable and provide counsel on techniques so he harvested its ripe berries, to boost the economy and improve to improve production. roasted them, and prepared a cup wages, so the government called Consider Kawashima the bridge of the forgotten brew. It struck him on Japan for assistance. between coffee-consuming countries that he had discovered Rwanda’s The Japan International Cooperation and coffee-producing countries. hidden treasure. This coffee’s Agency (JICA) surveyed growers His personal mission is to “change richness and complexity were unlike to ascertain awareness of quality the world through coffee,” any other coffee he had tasted. standards for each stage of production: spearheading sustainable coffee Kawashima had found a new mission: selection, processing, distribution production. And, he says it all starts to bring this coffee back to life and and sales. The two countries bolstered with researching the history of the build a global brand from this national their ties in 2017 with a partnership region. treasure. When asked how he interacted deal between JICA and Rwanda’s “Rwandan coffee comes from a with the locals, Kawashima smiles National Agricultural Export variety introduced to the area by and replies, “Initially, the local Development Board (NAEB) to German missionaries in 1903, which farming community didn’t offer much improve crop yields, coffee quality, had adapted well to the land around support. Japan’s not a coffee producer, and marketability. the small village of Mibirizi in so, for them, it didn’t make much Spearheading the deal is Yoshiaki southwest Rwanda,” Kawashima sense to listen to me.”

22 Yoshiaki “José” Kawashima As the son of a wholesale coffee roaster, Yoshiaki “José” Kawashima, known as the Coffee Hunter, has spent his entire life around coffee. He studied at the Salvadoran Institute for Coffee Research and then worked for a major coffee company, developing plantations in Jamaica, Indonesia, and Hawaii. Then, in 2008, he founded Mi Cafeto, achieving his dream of creating a sustainable business importing and selling coffee in Japan.

Rwandan coffee producers listen to Kawashima as he explains how to make terraced fi elds.

As he crushes the berries, Kawashima shows that the ripeness of the berries can be determined by their juices.

From his experience with agrarian little disturbing for them, but a few societies, he knew that to gain their months later, the trees looked trust he would have to sweat and noticeably better, and they saw that toil alongside them. Over time, he I was right. That lifted everyone’s forged a bond with the community, spirits,” recalls Kawashima. and their skepticism toward him Two years into the project, turned into a belief in his cause. Kawashima believes the Mibirizi The time had come to bring these beans will be ready for market in seedlings back from the brink of about fi ve years, thanks to steady extinction. With the locals on his improvements in cultivation. After side, Kawashima could switch his cultivation, the next step is bean focus from the seeds to the fi elds. selection, followed by processing, Deforestation along the hillsides sales, and exporting. All are connected combined with heavy rains had and important steps within the eroded the land, wreaking havoc industry. on the plantations. To curtail this, “I’m nurturing these new skills the locals and Kawashima used in the locals. This way they can terraced fi elds and planted shade instruct new generations,” says trees as well as underbrush to prevent Kawashima. soil runoff. To rejuvenate less Soon, Rwandan coffee will be productive trees, they employed a one of the most coveted coffees in One of the secrets to delicious coffee is the “selection” process of the coffee berries. Kawashima instructs “cutback” technique to offset the world—elevating the country Rwandan producers not to mix mature berries with unchecked growth. and its people—thanks to passionate those that haven’t ripened. “The farmers knew the trees would young farmers who learned from die if over-trimmed, which was a the Japanese Coffee Hunter.

23 lexandra Munroe brings Each experience further kindled were struggling to gain recognition AAsia to America as the my interest in Japanese arts, as well from mainstream Western museums. Senior Curator of Asian Art at the as in the philosophy and spirituality After the Shinohara show, I started Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum behind them.” interviewing almost all of the in New York. At the age of 13, her While studying at Doshisha Japanese artists who were living in family moved to Japan with her University in Kyoto, she became a New York. I slowly realized that father’s work. Her father’s interest resident lay disciple at the Daitoku- there was a story that had not been in history and culture combined ji Zen Temple. That experience told, a history that was not known, with her mother’s career as an artist afforded her time and opportunities and I wanted to make it visible.” led to weekly excursions to visit to train with Rinzai Zen monks and The result was her groundbreaking temples and museums in Kyoto, to appreciate the temple’s rich exhibition, Japanese Art After 1945: which was near their home in Ashiya history and culture, deepening her Scream Against the Sky, fi rst shown City, Hyogo. knowledge of Japanese art. at the Yokohama Museum of Art “Many of my parents’ friends were The year 1982 marked a pivotal in 1994 and later at the Guggenheim artists and cultural fi gures. We were moment in her career, when, in Museum SoHo in New York and often around the so-called first Tokyo, she met Rand Castile, the San Francisco Museum of Modern generation of great American scholars founding director of the Japan Art. This legendary exhibition on Japan, who had been living in Society Gallery in New York. The helped encourage young academics the country since the postwar Allied Japan Society was then the leading to focus on the art of contemporary Occupation. This was my gateway center for Japanese arts and culture Japan, and its in-depth catalogue to Japanese culture, both classic in America. has long served as the de-facto and modern.” “I was hired on the spot as a textbook on this subject. Upon returning to the United curator, and to my surprise, my fi rst Munroe says that not only historical States, Munroe attended Brown job was to organize an exhibition figures but also today’s artists in University. Summer breaks provided of Ushio Shinohara, one of Japan’s Japan are equally worthy of attention, her irresistible opportunities to foremost avant-garde artists, who including Takashi Murakami, Ei return to Japan and participate in the had been living in New York since Arakawa, and the art collective Oomoto Summer Seminar in Kameoka, the late 1960s,” explains Munroe. teamLab, to name a few. “If anything, Kyoto. There, she remembers, “I “In the 80s, however, most Japanese Japanese artists’ wildest ideas about studied tea ceremony, Noh dance artists, including major fi gures such the future and their ability to shed ‘shimai,’ ceramic art, and calligraphy. as Yayoi Kusama and Yoko Ono, light on the darkness of human

GRASSROOTS AMBASSADOR Friends of Japan Bringing

Installation view of Japan Sadamasa Motonaga, Work (Water), 1956, from the exhibitionGutai: Splendid Playground to the World at Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, 2013 The pioneering curator Photo by David Heald © Solomon R. of Japan’s postwar art: Alexandra Munroe Guggenheim Foundation

24 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

JAPAN

psychology always fascinate me,” she continues. As a curator for the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, her scope has widened. The Third Mind: American Artists Contemplate Asia, 1860-1989, another landmark exhibition of hers, which was presented in 2009, was highly acclaimed for highlighting the dynamic and complex impact and infl uence of Asia on modern and contemporary American art movements, including postwar Abstract Expressionism and Minimalism. Munroe observes, “I want to eliminate the barriers built by European and U.S.-centric perspectives to art and culture, and strengthen other histories beyond the Western canon. I have this passionate conviction, which is a powerful Alexandra Munroe driving force of my career.” While still a graduate student in art history, she organized Yayoi Kusama: A Retrospective (1989) and Japanese Art After 1945: Scream Against the Sky (1994). In 1998, she was appointed Director of Japan Society Gallery, and organized Yes Yoko Ono (2000), which was presented across the U.S. and in Asia. To Japan Society, she brought Takashi Murakami’s Little Boy: The Arts of Japan’s Exploding Subculture (2005), which won the Best Thematic Show award from the International Association of Art Critics in America. Since 2006, Munroe has served as Samsung Senior Curator, Asian Art, and Senior Advisor, Global Arts, at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum. In 2017, she received the Japan Foundation Award for making signifi cant contributions to promoting mutual understanding and Alexandra Munroe and Ushio Shinohara in front of friendship between Japan and the U.S. the Boxing Painting, The Poppy Field, 2009 through art. Photo by Noriko Shinohara

25 GRASSROOTS AMBASSADOR Friends of Japan A Bridge between China and Japan Fang Rui brings China and Japan closer together as a management consultant, realizing new possibilities for both countries

PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA JAPAN

was having a conversation to study its language and culture her. “Japanese business interested “I on the bus with an older at Fudan University, Shanghai. me—the idea of global development woman,” Fang Rui recalls as she She also attended Matsuyama and work styles,” Fang says. “During tilts her head back and smiles. University for a year as part of a my six-month nesting period, I was “Somehow the topic of kimonos foreign exchange program. “People able to experience how different came up, and I told her I had never were always friendly. I was happy departments do business. Unlike worn one. She invited me to her to connect with other students who China, where internships and prior house, where she dressed me in looked past my nationality. It was work experience are in demand, one. It was an incredible experience.” a great fi rst impression of Japan,” the work culture here is one where Originally from Nanjing, China, says Fang. new employees are raised in the Fang is a senior associate at The After graduating, she enrolled at company. I feel that nurturing Boston Consulting Group (BCG), the University of Tokyo for graduate human resources is one of Japan’s a global management consulting school. Two years later, a large strengths.” fi rm. Her interest in Japan led her Japanese insurance company hired The Japanese government offers

26 Graduated from the University of Tokyo graduate program,where Fang Rui spent two years at the Komaba Campus.

Points-based Preferential Immigration relationships with new people from Treatment for Highly -Skilled different cultures, and SNS services Foreign Professionals, and Fang such as WeChat help me stay on fell into this category, which was top of things in China. My role is an incentive to pursue her career to provide fresh and useful in Japan. “People who come from information.” overseas with advanced expertise, Fang pursues new possibilities for high educations, strong work China and Japan, using her specialized experience, and high annual salaries knowledge of the two countries. receive relaxed restrictions on visas She explains, “Japan has technical that allow for even their spouses expertise and quality brands. China to start careers,” she says. “If they offers low-cost production, as well need familial support for raising as the largest e-commerce market children under seven years old, in Asia. The two countries’ strengths parents may also receive residency. fused could generate an economic The long-term working environment powerhouse for business development. for these workers is appealing.” This brand of cooperation would Hoping to acquire even more serve the region for years to come. experience, two years ago, Fang This is the future I’m working switched to her new position at toward, hoping to develop businesses BCG. For her, bringing Japanese and platforms to facilitate a coalition and English skills to her clients as between Japan and China.” a consultant has been fulfi lling. Fang Rui’s motto is “Take one “Clients interested in the Chinese step forward.” With her optimistic market ask my perspective as a attitude, she will undoubtedly take Chinese national,” Fang states. one giant step forward to build a “That really makes my work new and powerful alliance between worthwhile. I have developed the two countries.

Fang Rui Senior Associate, The Boston Consulting Group. Born in Nanjing, China. She has worked with clients in various industries, such as fi nance and consumer products, as a management consultant. Before joining BCG, she worked for a leading Japanese general insurance company. She received a BA (Japanese) from Fudan University and an MA (International Relations) BCG’s Regional Training attended by Fang Rui and consultants from around the world. from the University of Tokyo.

27 Han Jeonggyu A graduate of Korean History, from the University of Seoul. This is his third year working as a Coordinator for International Relations on the JET Programme at the International Affairs Division of Kochi Prefecture. He joined the division in April of 2016.

t was 2016 when Han Jeonggyu I first stepped into the Kochi Prefectural offi ce as a Coordinator for International Relations through the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme. His responsibilities included translating tourist brochures, interpreting, as well as teaching weekly Korean classes and organizing a program to introduce Korean culture to local students. “During university, my interest in Japan grew signifi cantly. As a Korean History major, we studied Japan and its history, which intrigued me— especially when it came to the growth and prosperity of the Edo Period. I REPUBLIC OF JAPAN KOREA found the restricted foreign trade

Han’s workplace is located on the made through Dejima Island in Kochi Castle grounds. Nagasaki really interesting. These aspects of Japan inspired me to visit in 2009 when I studied Japanese at GRASSROOTS AMBASSADOR The JET Programme Tokyo Gakugei University for a month.” At the University of Soul, Han participated in an exchange program Reinforcing with Japanese students. He realized the diffi culties that arise from limited language ability, so the next year, Relationships: in 2014, he helped with a Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan program called JENESYS 2.0 (Japan-East Korea and Japan Asia Network of Exchange for Students and Youths) in Hokkaido. Korean history buff and Japanophile, Han Jeonggyu, He still ran into the same language brings two countries together through Kochi barrier.

28 Left : Translating sightseeing information and planning events to introduce Korean culture at the Kochi Prefectural offi ce. Center : Han serves as both interpreter and envoy of friendship at the sister-city signing ceremony between Kochi Prefecture and Jeollanam-do, South Korea. Right: Nakatosa, retains its traditional atmosphere. Han enjoys the hot springs with an ocean view, delicious food, and the classic ambiance of the town.

“These experiences deepened my Prefectural office, Jeollanam-do, hidden beauty and charm to my desire to acquire high-level Japanese Korea entered a sister-city agreement people. I really hope this will contribute communication skills,” recalls Han. with Kochi. This gave him a strong to a deeper relationship between Han had seen a television drama connection with the prefecture, and our two countries,” Han says with called Ryomaden, which was a story when the Deputy Governor of a smile. about Ryoma Sakamoto: A historical Jeollanam-do visited, Han worked fi gure who played an essential role with his colleagues of a different in overthrowing Japan’s feudal regime nationality toward a shared goal. despite his lower caste. Sakamoto’s From this, he felt a sense of achievement. hometown was Kochi, and he’s He mentions that the two provinces famous for negotiating peace as a have shared a healthy relationship About the pinnacle figure in Japan’s early since 1997 thanks to Chizuko Tauchi Japan Exchange and government. from Kochi, known as the Japanese Teaching (JET) Programme It was then that Han stumbled mother of Korean orphans, who The JET Programme began in across the JET Programme—a perfect established an orphanage in South 1987 with the goal of promoting opportunity to put his Japanese skills Korea. grassroots international to use. He applied immediately. When his term with the JET exchange between Japan and “I failed on my fi rst attempt, but Programme fi nishes, Han isn’t sure other nations, and is now one of I really wanted to make it happen, what he will do. He’s considering the world’s largest international so I enrolled in a Japanese language translating or working in tourism exchange programs. JET participants are placed school in Japan. After improving and community development, hoping in every region of Japan and my skills, I passed the test on my to contribute to revitalizing the work in one of three positions: second attempt and was given the region. assistant language teachers (ALTs), opportunity to work in Kochi, my “Kochi is considered advanced in coordinators for international dream town.” its challenges. It faces threats of relations (CIRs), or sports Han discovered a true sense of earthquakes, which the local exchange advisors (SEAs). hospitality in the people from Kochi. government approaches proactively. In 2016, the JET Programme The prefecture lived up to its slogan: Its population is graying, which is a welcomed 4,952 participants, and currently there are Kochi-ke (The Kochi Family) because challenge Korea faces as well. I hope approximately 62,000 alumni everyone is treated like family. to bring good examples from Japan from 65 countries living in all “It seems Ryoma Sakamoto also to Korea and vice-versa.” parts of the world. extended such hospitality. I imagine He’s thankful for the JET Programme this is why so many came to trust in that has opened a new world to him. him, which I am sure empowered “Japan is close to Korea, yet Korean him to make changes.” visitors to Kochi are few. I want to The JET Programme official website Soon after Han joined the Kochi serve as a bridge, introducing Kochi’s http://jetprogramme.org/en/

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