A Greeting from Hiroshi Sasaki, the New Executive Director of JLGC Hiroshi Sasaki / Executive Director
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ISSUE NO. 61• SPRING 2007 [JLGC UPDATE] A Greeting from the New Executive Director of JLGC .................................................. 1 [JLGC UPDATE] Governor Shinji Hirai / [JETAA ACTIVITIES] Yokoso Japan Night..................................... 2 [JLGC UPDATE] Visits to North Olmsted and Denver............................................................................. 3 [GUEST COLUMN] A Japanese Exchange Trip ....................................................................................... 4 [JLGC RESEARCHER’S EYE] Japan’s Changing Demographics............................................................... 6 [CORRESPONDENCE FROM FORMER JLGC STAFF] The New Hamamatsu City ........................................... 7 [DESIGNATED CITY] Kitakyushu “A Snapshot of an Evolving City” ........................................................ 8 J APAN L OCAL G OVERNMENT C ENTER ( CLAIR, NEW Y ORK) A Greeting from Hiroshi Sasaki, the New Executive Director of JLGC Hiroshi Sasaki / Executive Director JLGC UPDATE in drafting laws on local government working in America will be starkly decentralization and municipal different from my student experience, I mergers. Decentralization has been one am confident that my family and I will of the more important reform issues in thoroughly enjoy what America and Japanese domestic politics. Despite New York City have to offer. I enjoy resistance from members of the Diet playing tennis and skiing. There are and the national government; local numerous and challenging ski areas in government reform progressed the United States and Canada and I gradually and steadily. I was pleased to look forward to visiting a few. be a part of this great reform Finally, on behalf of the JLGC movement which has improved the staff as well as myself personally, I post war Japanese government system. would like to thank all of our friends While serving as Deputy and acquaintances who have made and Director Of International Affairs at the continue to make our mission Ministry of Home Affairs from 1996 to rewarding and successful. 1998, I managed the JET Program. During my tenure, the JET Program Sincerely yours, celebrated its tenth anniversary, with the Crown Prince and Princess of Japan ello, I am Hiroshi Sasaki and attending. I am looking forward to I have recently been meeting the JETs who have returned Happointed the new Executive from Japan and I am interested in their Hiroshi Sasaki Director of the Japan Local current activities. Government Center in New York City. In addition to my work at the I have the distinct pleasure and honor Ministry of Internal Affairs and of succeeding former Executive Communications, I have also worked The Sakura, Director Shinji Hirai, who by the time for three prefectures: Okinawa, Niigata or cherry blossom, you read this message will be the newly and Gifu. Most recently, I served as is Japan’s cherished elected Governor of Tottori Prefecture. the Deputy Secretary General of the national flower. It has been 18 years since the Exchange and Information Special Hanami parties establishment of the Japan Local Department at CLAIR headquarters in and excursions Government Center in New York and Tokyo. are held during blossom during these years the organization has This is my second visit to the time each year. established a rich tradition of United States. I attended graduate promoting international exchange and school at Cornell University from 1989 mutual understanding between Japan to 1991. My college days in Ithaca the United States and Canada. were memorable for me and my wife. I have worked for the Ministry My young son who was but a mere of Internal Affairs and Communication child does not recall his short lived for the past 22 years where I specialized American life. Although living and JLGC NewsLetter No. 61 • © 2007 Japan Local Government Center PAGE 1 Former Executive Director Shinji Hirai leaves JLGC to be Governor Seth Benjamin / JLGC Senior Researcher JLGC UPDATE ideas about how to project the image of governments. This has resulted in a Japan and Japanese local government, stronger interest in Japanese government Governor Hirai introduced himself to activities by these associations, with the many of the leading representatives of possibility of developing joint projects. American state and local government. Internally, Governor Hirai His belief that there was no focused the staff on the type of research it substitute for going out and meeting undertakes so that the office, and thereby people to learn ‘first-hand’ about the way governments back in Japan, can build up in which American government operates an expertise in many subject areas that are has raised the profile of the Japan Local important for governments not just in Government Center in the United States Japan but also in the United States. This Governor Hirai, in his new office in Tottori Prefecture and Canada. The staff at the Center approach has led to a new type of research ecently elected Governor Shinji routinely goes out now to develop closer being undertaken that is more relevant to Hirai of Tottori Prefecture spent relationships with its American the specific issues facing the staff’s own R approximately seven months as government counterparts. Another local government back in Japan. executive director of the Japan Local profile enhancing innovation Governor All in all, Governor Hirai has left Government Center (JLGC) in New Hirai instituted, as executive director of an indelible mark on CLAIR’s New York York. In that short time, he managed to JLGC, was to get the staff to increase its office in the short amount of time we shape the future direction of the office. active participation with the associations were privileged to have had him as the Arriving in June 2006 bristling with new that represent state and local executive director. JETAA Toronto Members Appointed as Special Representatives for the “Visit Japan Campaign” at “Yokoso Japan Night” Junichi Sawada / JLGC Deputy Director JETAA ACTIVITIES n the evening of February 15, representatives for the “Visit Japan advisor, Mr. Ken Noma, presented a 2007, the Japan National Tourist Campaign” (VJC). The executive director seminar on "How to Make a Student Trip OOrganization (JNTO) held their for the Japan National Tourist to Japan a Reality Today". Following him, "Yokoso Japan Night" at the Sheraton Organization, Toronto, Mr. Fumihiro A.Y. Jackson Secondary School music Centre Toronto Hotel. The event drew Sampei, presented a plaque to the JETAA teacher Mr. Rick Wingfield gave a talk on members of the JET Program Alumni Toronto Chapter Chair, Ms. Amy his experience as a teacher coordinator. Association (JETAA), Consulate General Schindler, as well as gifts to two committee The efforts of the JET Program of Japan, Japanese representatives, members. The "Visit Japan Campaign" and JETAA members have made a educational staff, tourism organizations, began in 2003 with a goal of obtaining 10 substantial contribution to the ongoing airline representatives, and the media. million annual international visitors to relationship between Canada and Japan. This year marks the 120th year Japan by 2010. It is one of many tourism since the establishment of a regular travel promotional projects that are being route between Vancouver, Canada, and implemented in Canada and Japan. In Yokohama, Japan. The year 2007 is being addition, two JETAA Toronto members, called the “Canada-Japan Tourism Mr. Glen Morales and Ms. Lianne Exchange Year” as both countries continue Hodgson, gave presentations highlighting to work together to enhance tourism and their teaching experience, as well as interaction between them. memorable aspects of their living and “Yokoso Japan Night” included a traveling in Japan. Executive Director of JNTO Toronto, Mr. Sampei, ceremony that appointed three members of Furthermore, former high school Committee member Ms. Nishiyama, Committee member Ms. Nicholson, and JETAA Toronto Chapter the JETAA Toronto chapter as special history teacher and current educational Chair, Ms. Shindler holding the plaque at the ceremony PAGE 2 JLGC NewsLetter No. 61 • © 2007 Japan Local Government Center Visits to North Olmsted and Denver Keitaro Tanaka / Assistant Director JLGC UPDATE uilding an effective network of students, professors strong partnerships with local and local government Bgovernments and organizations officials. He spoke in the United States and Canada is an about his city and how important function of the Japan Local it deals with global Government Center (JLGC). Since issues. 1989, JLGC has initiated contact with Our reciprocal hundreds of local governments and is visit to North Olmsted dedicated to enhancing and was made to express strengthening these relationships. As our appreciation to such, in early February, Ms. Erena Mayor O’Grady for his Niwa, Director of JLGC, and I visited participation at the two cities, North Olmsted, Ohio, and event in Japan and to Denver, Colorado, to continue our move forward in affiliation with these cities. proposing a future The city of North Olmsted is relationship between The Honorable Thomas O'Grady presenting a Proclamation to Director Niwa recognizing CLAIR's work in fostering international understanding and cooperation among local located in northern Ohio near the the city of North governments. Cleveland International Airport. Last Olmsted and JLGC. July, the Honorable Thomas O’Grady, We received a warm and hospitable Fellowship Program previously and who mayor of North Olmsted, was invited to welcome