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Home , Hokkaido, Odori Park, Sapporo

DESIGNATED CITY City

A Destination City For All Seasons Sapporo City Emblem

Sapporo is the capital of , “western” feel of Sapporo when compared to for residents and visitors to relax. Sapporo which is the northernmost island of . older Japanese cities. Art Park in the city’s suburbs features outdoor It is a unique city with a population of sculptures that can be enjoyed even in the 1.83 million, blessed with natural beauty One thing that has remained unchanged winter. Moerenuma Park, designed by the leg- and distinct seasons. As the fifth largest throughout the city’s history, however, is its endary sculptor , is also locat- city in the country, Sapporo plays an abundant natural resources and striking beau- ed in the city. important cultural, econom- ic, and political role in Sapporo’s citizens northern Japan. Overseas it enjoy a large variety of is commonly recognized as cultural institutions and a host city of the Winter festive events. Music lovers Olympics and the birthplace flock to the Pacific Music of historic Sapporo Beer. Festival every summer, created by Leonard Situated at 43¡ North Bernstein and featuring latitude and 140¡ East young musicians from longitude, Sapporo has all over the world. The snowy winters and mild, of pleasant summers. In the Modern Art has a well- year 2001, the annual mean known collection of temperature was 9.0¡C modern glassworks as (48.2¼F), with the highest well as prominent temperature for the year permanent and recorded 36.0¡C (96.8¼F), temporary exhibits. and the lowest temperature Music performances coming in at Ð14.7¡C take place throughout (5.54¼F). The average yearly The Sapporo White Illumination Festival: Sapporo’s main street and central Odori the year at the highly snowfall for the region is Park are transformed into a kaleidoscope of light, as trees are decorated with millions praised Sapporo Concert of tiny light bulbs and light sculptures are erected along the park, providing a romantic approximately five meters backdrop for strolling couples. Hall “Kitara” in (16.4 ft). Nakajima Park.

A relatively new city with a history of ty. More than 60% of the city is mountainous Sapporo has many vivid festivals mark- approximately 130 years, Sapporo was the with lush greenery. Mt. Moiwa and Mt. Teine ing the seasons. Soran Festival began center of the reclamation of Hokkaido dur- lie relatively close to the city’s center and are ten years ago and has evolved into the city’s ing the era in Japan. During this popular destinations for hikers in the summer largest summer festival. Sapporo Snow period, experts in the fields of agriculture, and skiers in the winter. Festival is world famous and over two million industry, and education were invited from visitors come every year in February to see overseas, and helped spawn development The city’s numerous parks provide end- the snow and ice sculptures that adorn the of Sapporo using the knowledge and tech- less recreational opportunities for citizens. city. Other major events include the Hokkaido nology they brought. This infusion of out- stretches from east to west Shrine Festival, the Sapporo White side ideas contributed to the noticeably through downtown Sapporo and offers a place Illumination, and the Sapporo Festival.

JLGC Newsletter 5 Issue 44 Fall 2002 PREFECTURE TODAY Beautiful Island Place continued from page 4 at both governmental and grass roots levels. Sea. The new buildings, the Station Plaza, and other harbor facilities have finally cities and towns with provinces, cities Future opened, and this new city has begun to look and towns overseas. Furthermore the Kagawa is actively promoting the devel- forward to the future. number of people travelling abroad and opment of a new city center where the city Additional information regarding the number of exchange students and and the Takamatsu Port blend harmoniously. Kagawa Prefecture may be found at: research students coming from various The prefecture and Takamatsu City aim to countries to Kagawa is increasing every create a prosperous new city center which uti- http://www.pref.kagawa.jp/kokusai/profile/ year. Globalization is progressing steadily lizes the beautiful scenery of the Seto Inland mainmenu.html

DESIGNATED CITY Sapporo City continued from page 5 World Cup in June 2002. The Sapporo Convention Center, with an expected The winters are harsh in Sapporo, and completion date of 2003, will further snow removal is challenging for citizens and increase the number of world-class the government alike. However, the citizens conventions held in the city each year. of Sapporo have used wisdom and ingenuity to make winter an enjoyable and livable sea- Active sister-city relationships son. The Sapporo Snow Festival is one way with Portland (Oregon, USA), winter is enjoyed, and the ski grounds and (Germany), (China), and ski jump stadiums located in the city enable () also give Sapporo’s citizens to have fun in the snow. Sapporo citizens many opportunities to learn about has also been working to develop and pro- foreign countries and participate in ex- mote technology and industry related to change programs and events. This year heavy snowfall and cold region issues, and marks the 30th anniversary of sister-city these efforts led to the establishment of the ties between Sapporo and Munich, and International Association of Mayors of commemorative events include an outdoor Northern Cities by former Sapporo Mayor German Christmas Market in downtown The Sapporo Snow Festival: Huge replicas of Itagaki Takeshi in 1982. Sapporo. world famous architecture made from snow, as well as delicately crafted ice sculptures, can be seen at this internationally famous festival. The city’s vibrant atmosphere has Japanese consistently cite Sapporo as made it a favored location for events of one of the most desired places to visit in Additional information regarding international scale, including the 1972 Winter Japan, and Sapporo aims to preserve its Sapporo City may be found at: , the Winter , and reputation and charm while developing its the . The all-weather Sapporo sports, events, fashion, arts, culture, tourism, http://www.global.city.sapporo.jp/ Dome opened in June of 2001 and was the and information technology in order to play *Part of this article appeared in Winter Cities Magazine venue for three games of the FIFA Soccer an even more active world role in the future. May 2002 and was reprinted with permission.

JLGC Newsletter 6 Issue 44 Fall 2002 JETAA ACTIVITIES Northern JETAA Ð Edmonton, Canada by Brenda McDonald President of the Northern Alberta JET Alumni Association

The Northern Alberta JET Alumni Last November, a joint effort was Association (NAJETAA) is located in formed between NAJETAA and the Southern Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. On an Alberta JET Alumni Association (SAJETAA) annual basis we offer a wide variety which is based in . We combined our of activities to our alumni which appeal efforts to create the “Alberta JET Re-entry to many different tastes. We provide an Retreat and Workshop.” This weekend event Orientation Weekend for departing JETs was primarily aimed at returning JETs to and a Fall dinner for returning ones. We give them the opportunity to network and have a bonenkai celebration every share their experiences with other returnees job market. Who would have thought all December and follow in January with a and alumni. those drinking and karaoke nights could Japanese cooking night during which be interpreted as people skills, conflict we’ve made very oishii (delicious) sushi, The Retreat began on Friday evening resolution and translation technique! okonomiyaki (Japanese flat pancakes) and with NAJETAA carpooling down to Calgary nabe (a hot-pot dish). We are participants and meeting up with SAJETAA for a night at The Saturday evening enkai was hosted annually in the Consulate sponsored the pub. Accommodations were provided by by the Consulate at a fabulous Japanese Spring Festival; we have a Japanese SAJETAA members in tatami-timeshare restaurant where we enjoyed wonderful food photo and art exhibit, and this year we style. The sessions on Saturday ran from 9am and many toasts of “Kampai!”…. This was, even went so far as to rent sumo suits to 5pm and were filled with discussions of course, followed by the nijikai at a local which proved to be very amusing for regarding settling back into life in Canada, club. On Sunday, alumni went out for the day everyone involved! In 2002, we introduced dealing with reverse culture shock, finding to Banff in the Rocky Mountains to soak in a curling workshop and bonspiel forum work, keeping in touch with Japan, and get- the hot springs and slurp some . in the winter and a sake tasting event in ting involved with your local JET Alumni the spring. Both events brought out Chapter. The highlight of the day, however, The “Alberta JET Re-entry Retreat and members who hadn’t participated before Ð was keynote speaker Deb Calderon from Workshop” was undeniably a success, in part a sure sign of a successful event! who led us through a lively, due to the idea of two chapters working hands-on workshop. together to achieve the same goal. Not only Deb has done re- was the Retreat good for the returning JETs, entry sessions for it was good for the relationship between JET Alumni NAJETAA and SAJETAA. This November, Association of Edmonton will host the Retreat and we look British Columbia forward to repeated success. (JETAABC) in the past and is highly If any chapters would like further regarded in this information regarding the Retreat, please aspect. During the check our website at: workshop, we iden- http://najetaa.jetaa.ca tified the skills we or contact by e-mail: developed in Japan [email protected] and learned how to or The Alberta JET Workshop was a success, in part due to the idea of two apply those skills to chapters working together to achieve the same goal. sell ourselves in the [email protected].

JLGC Newsletter 7 Issue 44 Fall 2002 JLGC UPDATE JETs Return to Hometown The 14th Annual Welcome Home Reception in New York

On Thursday, October 21st, 2002, the Consulate General of Japan in New York, JLGC, New York and JETAA-New York chapter hosted a Welcome Home Reception at the Nippon Club for newly returned JETs. JET Programme participants who had just come back to the New York area after spending over a year in Japan were welcomed by their hosts and several important guests.

Among the notable guests were Mr. Jun Okumura, President of JETRO’s New York office; Mr. Fumitomo Horiuchi, Director General of the Japan Foundation; and Mr. Takashi Iwao, Secretary General of CLAIR in . The Welcome Home Reception, hosted by the Consulate General of Japan, JLGC and JETAA-New York, The newly returned JETs were in Japan was held at the Nippon Club in New York for newly returned JETs. on 9/11/2001 when terrorists attacked the United States. In fact, the reception itself was comed new members and stated that JETAA headed toward midtown for the nijikai held just one month after the one-year would aggressively continue its activities and post-party party. JETs members are always anniversary. Accordingly, there were some look to enhance partnerships not only among young at heart. comments from the guest speakers regarding the JETAA organization, but also among these tragic events. Mr. Hida, Director of other NPO and volunteer groups related to JLGC, encouraged those in attendance by Japan and New York. Featured HOKKAIDO saying; “This city is built on the efforts of in this Sapporo City talented people like you, while it, in turn, After opening speeches, everyone issue: feeds your own energy and creativity.” enjoyed a buffet dinner and spent the evening catching up with old friends and making new Mr. Koshikawa, Director of the Japan acquaintances. Always well attended, the Information Center of the Japanese annual Welcome Home Reception is a great

Consulate General in New York, expressed way for the Consulate General of Japan in ISIKAWA PREF. that all returning JETs would continue to add New York and JLGC, New York to say City to the mutual understanding between Japan “Thanks” and ”Good Job” to JET Tokyo and the United States, thus helping to create Programme participants. The reception, Shodoshima an even deeper and stronger relationship attended by almost 120 participants, offers Takamatsu between the two nations. one of the best opportunities for the JETAA City New York chapter to attract new members. KAGAWA PREF. Ms. Shannan Spisak, the President of the JETAA New York chapter, also wel- After the reception, some of attendees

JAPAN LOCAL GOVERNMENT CENTER TEL: (212) 246-5542 E-MAIL: [email protected] 666 FIFTH AVE., NEW YORK, NY 10103-0072 FAX: (212) 246-5617 WEBSITE: http://www.jlgc.org