DOCSLIB.ORG

Union Profile Perspective of Our Union

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Union Profile Perspective of Our Union Message from the President Union Profile Creating a new era from Kansai. Under this aspiration, the prefectures and the government- Name of our Union : The Union of Kansai Governments(hereinafter reffered to as a“UKG”) ordinance-designated cities in the Kansai area cooperated and organized the Union of Kansai Date of Establishment : December 1st, 2010 Governments (UKG), a special regional public organization. Member : Shiga Prefecture, Kyoto Prefecture, Osaka Prefecture, Hyogo Prefecture， Since then, the UKG has been actively engaged in the planning and coordination of policies Nara Prefecture,Wakayama Prefecture, Tottori Prefecture, Tokushima Prefecture, Kyoto City, Osaka City, Sakai City, Kobe City (Fukui and Mie across the Kansai area, including region-wide infrastructural development and measures for Lake Prefectures participated as UKG partners.) Biwa and the Yodo River area. Additionally, the UKG has promptly provided support to the areas ※Osaka City and Sakai City joined the Union on April 23rd, 2012.Kyoto City and Kobe City joined stricken by the Great East Japan Earthquake and Kumamoto Earthquake disasters under a coun- the Union on August 14th, 2012. Nara Prefecture joined the Union on December 4th,2015 terpart method and promoted tourism under the cooperation of the public and private sectors The President : Toshizo Ido (Governor of Hyogo Prefecture) through the Kansai Tourism Bureau. The UKG also collaborated in the joint operation of the heli- The Vice President : Yoshinobu Nisaka (Governor of Wakayama Prefecture) copter ambulance services, which individual local governments have difficulty handling alone. The Commission of : When the president of the UKG makes decisions about its policies the "Commission of the Union of Kansai The excess concentration of population and industry in the Tokyo metropolitan area and popula- the Union of Kansai Governments" coordinates and communicates those decisions with the UKG member prefectures. The gover- nors and mayors of the UKG members who have been appointed to the commissioners of the UKG divisions tion decline are progressing in Japan, and the probability of a near-field earthquake in the Tokyo Governments President then take responsibility for each project. The Commission shares responsibilities in making decisions and metropolitan area as well as the Nankai Trough earthquake is increasing. We must achieve a providing their services. Toshizo Ido bilateral structure of the nation with a decentralized society where local matters can be decided (Governor of Hyogo Prefecture) locally. （Commissioner） ■Region-wide Industrial Promotion Office Commissioner Governor of Osaka Prefecture While working on the realization of the relocation of government agencies to the Kansai area, ■Region-wide Disaster Preparedness Office Commissioner Governor of Hyogo Prefecture Vice Commissioner Mayor of Osaka City following the relocation the Agency for Cultural Affairs to Kyoto, the UKG will continue requesting the transfer of the juris- Vice Commissioner Governor of Nara Prefecture Vice Commissioner Mayor of Sakai City Vice Commissioner Mayor of Kobe City Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Promotion Governor of Wakayama Prefecture diction of the national government’s branch offices to local governments and a wide range of administrative authority of ■Region-wide Tourism ,Culture and Sports Promotion Office Commissioner Governor of Kyoto Prefecture the national government to local governments. Vice Commissioner Governor of Nara Prefecture ■Region-wide Medical Services Office Commissioner Governor of Tokushima Prefecture Vice Commissioner Mayor of Kyoto City In addition to Kansai’s“Golden Sports Years,” continuing from the Rugby World Cup 2019 to World Masters Games 2021 Sports Promotion Governor of Hyogo Prefecture ■Region-wide Environmental Conservation Office Commissioner Governor of Shiga Prefecture Vice Commissioner Governor of Tottori Prefecture ■Region-wide Staff Training Office Commissioner Governor of Wakayama Prefecture Kansai, plus the decision to hold the EXPO 2025 in Osaka, Kansai, the world will have a keen eye on Kansai. Geopark Promotion Governor of Tottori Prefecture Taking advantage of this opportunity, the UKG will unite the power of the public and private sectors and promote initia- tives for the development of the entire Kansai area by making use of the potential of Kansai. Also, based on the past The Assembly of : As a legislative body, the Assembly has the authority that is equivalent to assemblies of local governments, the Union of Kansai efforts, while keeping an eye on the future directionality and role of the UKG, we will enhance its presence toward the including revision and repeal of ordinances and budget resolution. It is composed of thirty-nine members Governments selected from prefectural assemblies and city assemblies of the UKG. realization of a full-scale decentralized society. The Council of the Union : In this council we will hear a wide range of opinions from residents and Based on the UKG’s philosophy of one Kansai, and each region of Kansai, the region-wide governments will work together of Kansai Governments discuss issues that face the region of Kansai. We will also discuss our for“the creation of a vibrant Kansai” while taking advantage of the diversity of respective regions, for which we appreciate Union’s vision for the future. your support and cooperation. Bureau : We will set up a bureau headquarters to conduct official work such as general coordination and planning, Decentralization policy and things related to certification examinations and licenses. Also, we will have branch offices located in some other prefectures to conduct other field office work Purpose of Establishment which will be in charge of those respective fields. The office workers to do all this are officers from prefectural or city government offices. Additionally, we have our Union assembly bureau in order and ready to go to support our Creating the dawning of a new era in Kansai and workers’actions. moving towards a new age in Kansai! Perspective of our Union Realizing the power of our region! The Commission of the UKG Vice President Towards the realization of a decentralized system! UKG Assembly President Commissioner To break thorough national centralization and the excessive concentration of population and industry in UKG Assembly Members’ General Affairs Standing Committee Special Committee for Devolution General Meeting the Tokyo Metropolitan area; to establish a decentralized system that will let each region make its own Industry & Environment Standing Committee Energy Panel decisions and have individual responsibility, Kansai will start making a realistic system where each region Governing board Disaster Risk Reduction & Medical Services Standing Committee will take the initiative in dealing with their own issues, and break the impasse to the decentralization of Region-wide Infrastructure Panel authority as a first region to do so before the rest of Japan. Election Administration Committee Responsible political entity over the entire Kansai region Inspection commissioner Accounts manager UKG Council We will band together and make concerted efforts with the relevant prefectures and cities in order to Equity Commission realize our common vision. First, we will organize an inter-prefectural disaster prevention framework and Bureau provide an inter-prefectural system for emergency to prepare for a large-scale disaster such as a Nankai Trough Mega-thrust Earthquake. Also, in the future, we will make a standardized transportation system The headquarters for traffic and the distribution of goods in order to enhance Kansai’s competitive strength. secretariat The field secretariat UKG Assembly General Affairs, Region-wide Tourism, Region-wide Bureau Planning, Promotion of Partnership, Culture, and Industrial Organize an acceptance mechanism of official work from the federal government branch offices Projects, Decentralization, Sports Promotion Office Promotion Office Certification Exams and Licensing Region-wide Region-wide Region-wide We will utilize each association’s individual characters and resources effectively and also we will resolve Region-wide Disaster Medical Services Environmental Staff Training a double administrative management between the federal and the local region with the taking up of the Special Zone Preparedness Office Sports Office Conservation Office Agriculture, Promotion Promotion Office delegated official work from the federal level by using our inter-prefectural regional autonomy. We will Forestry and Fisheries restructure the existing framework down to the regional level of Kansai resulting in a more slim and Innovation Geopark Audit commissioners’ Promotion efficient system. office Promotion Promotion 02.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Logistics Facility to Be Developed in Hirakata, Osaka Prefecture --Total Floor Space 20,398.12 M2; Whole-Building Lease to OTT Logistics Co., Ltd
    August 11, 2014 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact Information: ORIX Corporation Corporate Planning Department Tel: +81-3-3435-3121 Fax: +81-3-3435-3154 URL: http://www.orix.co.jp/grp/en/ Logistics Facility in the BCP-suitable Kansai Inland Area Logistics Facility to Be Developed in Hirakata, Osaka Prefecture --Total Floor Space 20,398.12 m2; Whole-Building Lease to OTT Logistics Co., Ltd-- TOKYO, Japan – August 11, 2014 - ORIX Corporation (TSE: 8591; NYSE: IX), a leading integrated financial services group, today announced that it has decided to develop a BTS*1 logistics facility in Hirakata, Osaka Prefecture. The development area for this project is in an industrial park located approximately 3 km from the Hirakata-higashi and Hirakata Gakken interchanges on the Second Keihan Highway, and approximately 1.5 km from Nagao Station on the JR Katamachi Line. The location is suitable for deliveries to the Osaka and Kyoto areas, being located approximately 3 km from National Route 1, a major highway connecting Kyoto and Osaka. Moreover, from the business continuity planning perspective, the Kansai inland area is highly sought-after and considered scarce land resources suitable for logistics facility development. The project includes a whole-building lease to OTT Logistics Co., Ltd. The five-story building (four stories in the warehouse section) will have a gross area of 20,398.12 m2 on a site of 10,629.36 m2. Construction will commence in September 2014, and is scheduled for completion in July 2015. The ORIX Group’s logistics investment business started in 2003, initially focused in the development of BTS facilities.
    [Show full text]
  • Outstanding Award （１）Title： My Colorful Life in Sakai
    Outstanding Award （１）Title： My colorful life in Sakai （２）Name： WANG JINGXIAN １．Charms of Sakai City Sakai is situated in Osaka Prefecture, Japan. As one of Japan's largest port cities, Sakai was known for its Samurai swords and remains the manufacturing center for the country's highest-quality knives. For foreign students like me, I think Sakai is full of happiness. I used to live in Shinsaibashi. Ever since I settled to Sakai, I have found that not only has the quality of life enhanced, but the daily expenses have also decreased. Compared with the bustling hustle of Osaka city, after a hard-working day wandering on the silent street, you can feel peace and warmth. Without the cover of high buildings, I can see the same moon as my family see in China. Although sometimes I feel homesick, I still feel vitality from the people who work hard to live. After coming to Sakai City, I feel that I have a close relationship with the locals. Every Friday, the Japanese language classroom of the public hall can thrill me. Through the communication with volunteer teachers, I've learned the culture of Sakai city that makes my life here more fulfilling. Joy can be shared on. Seeing the smiles of the choir members next to the Japanese classroom, I can feel the city is full of happiness. ２．OPU promotions Osaka Prefecture University(OPU) is one of the largest public universities in Japan. In 2022, Osaka Prefecture University and Osaka City University will merge. The new university will become the Japanese largest public university which has the potential to be the best university in Japan.
    [Show full text]
  • Osaka's High-Tech Clusters and Market Potentials
    Osaka Prefectural Government Osaka’s High-tech Clusters and Market Potentials September 2016 Osaka Prefectural Government Osaka Prefectural GovernmentLocation of Osaka KANSAI Osaka locates at the Kyoto center of western Shiga Hyogo Japan. 35miles 20 miles Osaka Nara Osaka City Wakayama Osaka Prefectural Government GDP & Population BUSINESS FRIENDNESS GDP of Osaka： The Number Of Population of Osaka： 7.5% of Japan, equal to Norway Establishments 8.85 million U.S.A. 161,632 in Kansai China 82,294 Osaka City 59,379 Japan 21.4% Germa… 35,332 Brazil 22,488 54.9% Russia 20,175 23.7% Mexico 11,846 Others Indone… 8,767 Osaka Prefecture (except Osaka City) Turkey 7,889 Sweed… 5,439 Norway 4,610 Osaka 4,435 ASIA-PACIFIC CITIES AustriaArgent… 4,076 OF THE FUTURE BUSINESS FRIENDNESS of Osaka Osaka is ranked among the world’s top 10. Osaka Prefectural Government Special Zone The Kansai Innovation Comprehensive 6 important targets Global Strategic Special Zone create the innovation Pharmaceutical Drugs Medical Device Preemptive Medicine Advanced Medical Technology (regenerative medicine) Battery Smart Community 4 Osaka PrefecturalPotential Government of Osaka 【Energy】（1） New Energy Potential No.1 in Lithium-ion battery World-class companies in Osaka production value ・Panasonic Corporation ・Sumitomo Electric Industries Others 13% Kansai Japan 87% 227 billion yen 2011 Survey of Production（METI） 2011 Primary Product Production Statistics （Kansai Bureau of Economy,Trade and Industry Feature In Osaka, there are a lot of enterprises that have important key technologies and gain a high market share in new energy industrial fields, Rechargeable Battery, Hydrogen and Fuel Cell.
    [Show full text]
  • Consumer Administration in Japan and in Hyogo Prefecture
    Consumer Administration in Japan and in Hyogo Prefecture Akemi YAMAGAMl Director Consumer Science Information Department Kobe Life Enhancement Center of Hyogo Prefecture · Consumer Policy in Japan (P1-7) 1 Background (P1) 2 The organization of consumer policy (P1-2) <Fig 1> The System of Consumer Policy (P6) 3 The Consumer Fundamental Act (P2) <Fig. 2> The Structure of the Consumer Protection Fundamental Act (P7) 4 Outline of consumer administration (P3-5) 5 Future food safety policy (P5) · Consumer Administration in Hyogo Prefecture (P8-17) 1 Organization for Promotion of consumer administration in Hyogo Prefecture (P8) 2 Kobe Life Enhancement Center (Consumer Science Information Department) (P9-17) (1) Objective (P9) (2) Background (P9) (3) Organization of Kobe Life Enhancement Center (P10) (4) Promotion of consumer protection measures (P11-13) (5) Trends and Features in Consumer Consultation (FY 2003) (P14-17) Consumer Policy in Japan 1. Background After the era of high economic growth (from mid 1950's through 60's), with the spread of mass-production and rapid progress in industry, consumer problems have been recognized as one of the most important structural problems of Japanese economy and society. The background is as follows: Firstly, it is normally difficult for each consumer to get accurate information on manufacturing process or the quality of products due to the complexity of products and production. It is also difficult to judge the safety of products only by their own knowledge and experiences. Secondly, with the spread of mass-production and mass-consumption, the number of injuries caused by defective of products has been increasing.
    [Show full text]
  • Odaigahara, Yoshino-Kumano National Park
    Odaigahara, Yoshino-Kumano National Park ▲ Moss colony in Nishi-Odai Seed of Ilex geniculata Autumn foliage in Nishi-Odai Masaki pass Daijagura What is the Nishi-Odai Regulated Utilization Area? Odaigahara Driveway Precious nature remains in Odaigahara. Among them is ▲ Nishi-Odai, one of the most beautiful natural beech forests in western Japan, where you can experience the calm and Nishi-Odai Regulated ▲ Odaigahara Parking Lot and Utilization Area Odaigahara Visitor Center pristine nature. (lecture location) In order to preserve this beautiful natural environment and Mt.Hidegatake take over it in the future, Nishi-Odai has been designated as Kaitaku junction ▲ Japan's first "Regulated Utilization Area". To maintain a favorable natural environment and provide a Sakasa Pass Higashi-Odai high-quality nature experience, the number of users is (Out of regulation) Regulated Utilization Area restricted in the “Regulated Utilization Area”. Trail Masakigahara Drive way Field In order to enter the Nishi-Odai Regulated Utilization Area, it Gate Daijagura is necessary to carry out procedures in advance and follow "Regulated Utilization Area" designated area This map is based on the Digital Topographic Map 25000 published by Geospatial Information Authority of Japan established rules. （About 450ha） * You can enter the Higashi-Odai, such as Mt. Hidegatake or Daijagura, without Kinki Regional Environment Office any procedures. Ministry of the Environment Natural environment of Nishi-Odai Nishi-Odai is surrounded by natural forests mainly composed of beech, and you can experience the calm and pristine nature. Beech forests are home to many wildlife, such as Japanese deer, Wrens, Japanese robins, and Odaigahara salamanders.
    [Show full text]
  • Chapter 1-1 About Shiga Prefecture
    Chapter 1-1 About Shiga Prefecture Abstract Shiga Prefecture is located more or less in the middle of the Japanese Archi- pelago. Surrounded by mountains, Shiga Prefecture forms the Omi Basin with Lake Biwa, the largest lake in Japan, located at the center of its lowland. With a history spanning some 4 million years, Lake Biwa is the oldest lake in Japan and one of the ancient lakes in the world. Keywords: Shiga Prefecture, Lake Biwa, Omi Basin 1. Features of Shiga Prefecture Shiga Prefecture is located more or less in the middle of the Japanese Archipelago. Close to the city of Kyoto to the west, Shiga Prefecture is located 86 minutes by limited express train from Kansai Interna- tional Airport. The land mass of Shiga Prefecture is approximately 1% of the total area of Ja- pan. About 1.4 million people reside in this prefecture. Fig. 1-1-2 Topography of Shiga Prefecture rounding mountains. The Seta River and the artificial Biwako (Lake Biwa) Canal form the lake’s outlets. Calculations have shown that it takes approximately 19 years for all the water in the lake to be completely renewed. Lake Biwa is the oldest lake in Japan. The lake in its present form began to Fig. 1-1-1 Location of Shiga Prefecture form more than 1 million years ago, and (http://en.biwako-visitors.jp/) its total history including its predecessors Shiga Prefecture forms a basin known spans some 4 million years, making Lake as the Omi Basin with mountains over Biwa one of the oldest in the world.
    [Show full text]
  • Hyōgo Prefecture
    Coor din ates: 3 4 °4 1 ′2 6 .9 4 ″N 1 3 5 °1 0′5 9 .08″E Hyōgo Prefecture Hyōgo Prefecture (兵庫県 Hyōgo-ken) is a prefecture of Japan located in the Kansai region on Hyōgo Prefecture Honshu island.[1] The capital is Kobe.[2] 兵庫県 Prefecture Contents Japanese transcription(s) • Japanese 兵庫県 History • Rōmaji Hyōgo-ken Geography Cities Towns Islands National parks Mergers Flag Future mergers Symbol Economy Culture National Treasures of Japan Important Preservation Districts for Groups of Historic Buildings in Japan Museums Education Universities Amagasaki Takarazuka Sanda Nishinomiya Ashiya Kobe Kato Akashi Kakogawa Country Japan Himeji Region Kansai Akō Island Honshu High schools Capital Kobe Sports Government Tourism • Governor Toshizō Ido Festival and events Area Transportation Rail • Total 8,396.13 km2 People movers (3,241.76 sq mi) Road Area rank 12th Expressways Population (November 1, 2011) National highways Ports • Total 5,582,978 Airport • Rank 7th • Density 660/km2 (1,700/sq mi) Notable people Sister regions ISO 3166 JP-28 code See also Notes Districts 8 References Municipalities 41 External links Flower Nojigiku (Chrysanthemum japonense) Tree Camphor tree History (Cinnamomum camphora) Bird Oriental white stork Present-day Hyōgo Prefecture includes the former provinces of Harima, Tajima, Awaji, and parts (Ciconia boyciana) of Tanba and Settsu.[3] Website web.pref.hyogo.lg.jp/fl /english/ (http://web.pre In 1180, near the end of the Heian period, Emperor Antoku, Taira no Kiyomori, and the Imperial f.hyogo.lg.jp/fl/english/) court moved briefly to Fukuhara, in what is now the city of Kobe.
    [Show full text]
  • Kyoto Hyogo Osaka Nara Wakayama Shiga
    Introduction of KANSAI, JAPAN KYOTO OSAKA HYOGO WAKAYAMA NARA SHIGA INVEST KANSAI Introduction Profile of KANSAI, JAPAN Kansai area Fukui Kobe Tokyo Tottori Kansai Kyoto Shiga Hyogo Osaka Mie Osaka Kyoto Nara Tokushima Wakayama ©Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau With a population exceeding 20 million and an economy of $800 billion, the Kansai region plays a leading role in western Japan. Osaka is center of the region, a vast metropolitan area second only to Tokyo in scale. Three metropolises, located close to one another 30 minutes by train from Osaka to Kyoto, and to Kobe. Domestic Comparison International Comparison Compare to Capital economic zone (Tokyo) Comparison of economic scale (Asia Pacific Region) Kansai Tokyo (as percentage of Japan) (as percentage of Japan) Australia Area (km2) 27,095 7.2% 13,370 3.5% Korea Population (1,000) 20,845 16.3% 35,704 28.0% Kansai Gross Product of 879 15.6% 1,823 32.3% region (GPR) (US$billion) Indonesia (Comparison of Manufacturing) Taiwan Kansai Tokyo (as percentage of Japan) (as percentage of Japan) Thailand Manufacturing Singapore output (US$billion) 568 15.9% 621 17.4% Hong Kong Employment in manufacturing (1,000) 1,196 16.1% 1,231 16.6% New Zealand Number of new factory setup (*) 181 14.8% 87 7.1% 0 500 1000 1500 (Unit: US$ billion) Number of manufacturers in Kansai is equivalent to Tokyo which is twice its economic size. Economy scale of Kansai is comparable to economies in Asia Pacific Region. Source: Institute of Geographical Survey, Ministry of Internal Affair “Population Projection” “World
    [Show full text]
  • (USA) Tomodachi Inoue Scholars 1. Program Report
    KAKEHASHI Project Japan’s Friendship Ties Program (USA) Tomodachi Inoue Scholars 1. Program Report １．Program Overview Under “Japan’s Friendship Ties Program”, 25 Americans visited Japan. During the 8 days program from March 5th to March 12th, 2016, the participants studied the Japanese government, society, history, foreign policy, culture and much more. The participants aim to promote Japan through mediums such as SNS. ２．Participating Countries and Number of Participants USA (25 Participants) ３．Prefectures Visited Tokyo, Kyoto and Shiga Prefecture ４．Program Schedule March 5th (Sat) Arrival at Narita International Airport March 6th (Sun) 【Orientation】 ，【Observation】Edo Tokyo Museum, Asakusa March 7th (Mon) 【Observation】Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly Move Tokyo to Kyoto March 8th (Tue) 【Observation of Historical Landmark/ Cultural Experience】Fushimi Inari Shrine, Kimono Show at Nishijin textile center, Kiyomizu Temple March 9th (Wed) 【School Exchange】Shiga Prefectural University 【Nature/Cultural Experience/Regional Exchange】Farm stay, Calligraphy Experience March 10th (Thu) 【Nature/Cultural Experience/Regional Exchange】 Making Japanese Chopsticks experience, Forest walking Move from Kyoto to Tokyo March 11th (Fri) 【Workshop】【Reporting Session】 【Lecture】“Japan’s Foreign Policy” North American Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Foreign Affairs 【Cutting-edge Technology】National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation March 12th (Sat) 【Observation】Meiji Jingu Shrine, Harajuku Departure from Narita International Airport 1 ５．Program Photos 3/6 【 Observation 】 Edo Tokyo Museum 3/7 【 Observation 】 Tokyo Metropolitan (Tokyo) Assembly (Tokyo) 3/9 【School Exchange 】 Shiga Prefectural 3/9 【 Nature/Cultural Experience/Regional University (Hikone City) Exchange】Farmstay, Calligraphy Experience (Takashima City) 3/10【Nature/Cultural Experience/Regional 3/11【Reporting Session】 (Tokyo) Exchange】Forest walking (Takashima City) 2 ６．Voice from Participants ◆USA, University Student Throughout the week, I was continuously impressed by how friendly and welcoming all the local people were to us.
    [Show full text]
  • Local Dishes Loved by the Nation
    Sapporo 1 Hakodate 2 Japan 5 3 Niigata 6 4 Kanazawa 15 7 Sendai Kyoto 17 16 Kobe 10 9 18 20 31 11 8 ocal dishes Hiroshima 32 21 33 28 26 19 13 Fukuoka 34 25 12 35 23 22 14 40 37 27 24 29 Tokyo loved by 41 38 36 Nagoya 42 44 39 30 Shizuoka Yokohama 43 45 Osaka Nagasaki 46 Kochi the nation Kumamoto ■ Hokkaido ■ Tohoku Kagoshima L ■ Kanto ■ Chubu ■ Kansai 47 ■ Chugoku ■ Shikoku Naha ■ Kyushu ■ Okinawa 1 Hokkaido 17 Ishikawa Prefecture 33 Okayama Prefecture 2 Aomori Prefecture 18 Fukui Prefecture 34 Hiroshima Prefecture 3 Iwate Prefecture 19 Yamanashi Prefecture 35 Yamaguchi Prefecture 4 Miyagi Prefecture 20 Nagano Prefecture 36 Tokushima Prefecture 5 Akita Prefecture 21 Gifu Prefecture 37 Kagawa Prefecture 6 Yamagata Prefecture 22 Shizuoka Prefecture 38 Ehime Prefecture 7 Fukushima Prefecture 23 Aichi Prefecture 39 Kochi Prefecture 8 Ibaraki Prefecture 24 Mie Prefecture 40 Fukuoka Prefecture 9 Tochigi Prefecture 25 Shiga Prefecture 41 Saga Prefecture 10 Gunma Prefecture 26 Kyoto Prefecture 42 Nagasaki Prefecture 11 Saitama Prefecture 27 Osaka Prefecture 43 Kumamoto Prefecture 12 Chiba Prefecture 28 Hyogo Prefecture 44 Oita Prefecture 13 Tokyo 29 Nara Prefecture 45 Miyazaki Prefecture 14 Kanagawa Prefecture 30 Wakayama Prefecture 46 Kagoshima Prefecture 15 Niigata Prefecture 31 Tottori Prefecture 47 Okinawa Prefecture 16 Toyama Prefecture 32 Shimane Prefecture Local dishes loved by the nation Hokkaido Map No.1 Northern delights Iwate Map No.3 Cool noodles Hokkaido Rice bowl with Tohoku Uni-ikura-don sea urchin and Morioka Reimen Chilled noodles
    [Show full text]
  • Reemerging Political Geography in Japan
    Japanese Journal of Human Geography 64―6（2012） Reemerging Political Geography in Japan YAMAZAKI Takashi Osaka City University TAKAGI Akihiko Kyushu University KITAGAWA Shinya Mie University KAGAWA Yuichi The University of Shiga Prefecture Abstract The Political Geography Research Group （PGRG） of the Human Geographical Society of Japan was established in 2011 to promote political geographic studies in Japan. The PGRG is the very first research unit on political geography in the Society which was established in 1948. Political geography was once one of the weakest sub―fields in Japanese geography with a very limited number of scholars and published works. This, however, is not at all the case now. Political geography is a reemerging field in Japan. In this review paper, four of the PGRG members contribute chapters on general trends in Japanese political geography, legacies of Japanese wartime geopolitics, the introduction of “new geopolitics” into Japan, and geographical studies on environmental movements. All of them have confirmed with confidence that Japanese political geography has been reemerging and making steady progress in terms of theory, methodology, and case study since the 1980s. Although the current stage of Japanese political geography is still in the regenerative phase, they strongly believe that political geography should be firmly embedded in Japanese geography. Key words : political geography, Japanese geopolitics, new geopolitics, environmental movements, Japan I Introduction The Political Geography Research Group （PGRG） of the Human Geographical Society of Japan was established in 2011 to promote political geographic studies in Japan. The PGRG is the very first research unit on political geography in the Society which was established in 1948.
    [Show full text]
  • Best of Hokkaido and Tohoku Self Guided 15 Day/14 Nights Best of Hokkaido and Tohoku Self Guided
    Best of Hokkaido and Tohoku Self Guided 15 Day/14 Nights Best of Hokkaido and Tohoku Self Guided Tour Overview Experience more of Hokkaido and Tohoku on the Best of Hokkaido and Tohoku Self Guided tour. The northernmost of the main islands, Hokkaido, is Japan’s last frontier. It is a natural wonderland of mountain ranges, deep caldera lakes, active volcanoes, numerous thermally-heated mineral springs, and virgin forests. The attitudes of the inhabitants are akin to those of the pioneers of the American West, but still unmistakably Japanese. Tohoku is the northern part of Honshu, the main island of the Japanese archipelago. It is known as a remote and scenic region, and for its numerous traditional onsens, lakes, mountains, high quality rice, and welcoming people. You will enjoy exploring Tohoku’s rich cultural heritage and history, and the beautiful scenery that it has to offer. Destinations Tokyo, Sapporo, Otaru, Noboribetsu Onsen, Hakodate, Aomori, Hiraizumi, Sendai, Matsushima, Yamadera, Aizu-Wakamatsu, Ouchijuku, Kinugawa Onsen, Nikko Tour Details Among the Japanese, Hokkaido has become synonymous with sensational food, stunning scenery, and some of the best onsens in Japan. You will enjoy Sapporo, Hokkaido’s largest city and host to the 1972 Winter Olympics, with its many fine restaurants. You will have the opportunity to explore the morning market of Hakodate where you can try the local specialties of crab, sea urchin, or squid prepared for you. Here you can learn about Hokkaido’s original inhabitants, the Ainu, whose culture almost disappeared until recent efforts of restoration. Tohoku may share the main island of Honshu, but it is a world apart from the crowded and busy south.
    [Show full text]