Hokkaido International Exchange and Cooperation Center

2015
Annual Report

Hokkaido International Exchange and Cooperation Center(HIECC)

Contents
History of HIECC
Organization
Advisors and executive officers(FY 2014 Project Outline)
Holding of Board of Directors and Ordinary General Assembly Meetings
Promotion of International Mutual Understanding
1. Holding of lectures and symposiums(1) Holding of lectures on international understanding(2) Holding of “Northern regions seminars” (northern regions exchange)(3) Holding of international symposiums and seminars (North Pacific Region Advanced Research Project)(4) Holding of regular international exchange lectures(5) Project supporting overseas business of small and medium-sized enterprises
2. Collection and provision of international information(1) Research and study, collection of information(2) Operation of the website (an international information network system)(3) Publishing quarterly periodical “Hoppoken”(4) Publishing Annual Report 2014
3. Overseas training(1) Overseas training projects(2) Project for high school students to be mediators between Japan and the rest of the world
4. Promotion of multicultural symbiosis(1) Hokkaido Multicultural Regional Development Promotion Council(2) Multiculturalism enlightenment project (lecture)(3) Multicultural coordinator seminar(4) World cooking classes(5) Registration and dispatch of international exchange volunteers(6) Supply of goods to international students
Promotion of International Exchanges
1. Implementation of exchange programs with other countries(1) Participation in commemorative ceremony on Hokkaido people migration to South America(2) Hosting of a group visiting Hokkaido from overseas (South America exchange)(3) Project to create cooperation models in the new Japan-South Korea era(4) Participation in Culture Night 2014
2. Promotion of accepting international students(1) Implementation of financial support for international students(2) Promotion of accepting international students(3) Implementation of regional exchanges with international students
3. Support for emigrants(1) Hosting of international students (South America exchange)(2) Support for activities by associations representing people emigrated from Hokkaido (South America exchange)
4. Grants-in-aid for exchange programs(1) Grants-in-aid based on international exchange program assets
5. Exchanges and collaboration with regional organizations(1) Holding of regional meetings on international exchange(2) Promotion of executive committee projects(3) The operations of the Hokkaido Consular and Foreign Trade Corps, and implementation of its projects
Promotion of International Cooperation
1. Participation in the training projects of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)(1) Implementation of group training projects(2) Implementation of the youth training project
2. Hosting of trainees from overseas(1) Hosting of overseas technical trainees (South America exchange)
3. Collection and provision of information on international cooperation(1) Publication of the “Deai” information magazine on international cooperation

History of HIECC
The northern regions concept and the establishment of the Northern Regions Center
The northern regions concept was first introduced in 1971 in the Third-term Hokkaido Comprehensive Development
Plan (– 1977), a long-term road map for the development of Hokkaido. This concept aimed to improve Hokkaido’s
industrial economy, the lives of Hokkaido residents and its culture and advance local development suitable to thenorthern region through exchanges with the United States, Canada and Northern European countries with highly
developed cultures in the same snowy cold climate as that of Hokkaido. As a body to promote this concept, theNorthern Regions Research Council was established along with the aforementioned comprehensive development plan.
The council was approved as an incorporated body in January 1972, and the Northern Regions Information Center was
also established in November 1976. These organizations were developmentally reorganized, and the Northern Regions
Center (NRC) was launched in April 1978. NRC developed wide exchange activities that focus on northern regions as aunique international organization with think tank, data bank and exchange functions. In July of the same year, theNorthern Regions Exchange Foundation was also established to provide financial support to private exchange programswith northern regions.

Expansion of international exchange and cooperation activities
The marked progress of globalization from the 1990s onward further intensified interdependent relationships in theinternational community, and raised expectations for international cooperation in local communities.
While maintaining existing relationships with northern countries, NRC also partly revised its articles of incorporation in June
1995 to expand the scope of its activities to other regions.
In line with this revision, NRC was entrusted, in April 1996, with the management and operation of HokkaidoInternational Centers (Sapporo, Obihiro), which were established by the Japan International Cooperation Agency(JICA) to accept technical trainees from developing countries. NRC also took charge of the Hokkaido Government’s
project to accept technical trainees. In March 1998, NRC was recognized as a Local International Exchange Association(one organization for each prefecture or government-designated city) by the Ministry of Home Affairs (the present
Ministry of Public Management, Home Affairs, Posts and Telecommunications) to assume a comprehensive andimportant role in international exchange/cooperation in Hokkaido. NRC incorporated the Hokkaido International
Exchange Center for Youth and Women in April 1998, the Hokkaido Overseas Association in July 2006 and the North
Pacific Region Advanced Research Center (NORPAC) in April 2010.

As a comprehensive center for international activities
Celebrating the 30th anniversary of its foundation in April of 2008, NRC established a committee to consider the future
direction of NRC. The committee then compiled a report on future goals and activities in response to current demands
to position NRC as a comprehensive center for international activities in Hokkaido.
In the ordinary General Assembly meeting in May 2010, the Northern Regions Exchange Foundation was changed
into the International Exchange Foundation to expand the target areas of exchange programs eligible for financial
support from northern regions to the entire world. In addition, a member system for students was newly established to
expand the membership.

Transition into a public interest incorporated association and change of the nameDuring the ordinary General Assembly meeting in May 2011, the proposal to revise its articles of corporation for thetransition into a public interest incorporated association was approved, and the Northern Regions Center transitioned
into such an association on August 1 of the same year, with the approval of the Hokkaido Governor. The name of theNorthern Regions Center was also changed to the Hokkaido International Exchange and Cooperation Center (HIECC
for short).
Currently, HIECC is actively developing its programs to realize a rich, vigorous regional society throughinternational exchanges and cooperation with countries around the world, while fulfilling its social responsibility as apublic interest incorporated association.
A p r. 1 9 7 1 :Jan. 1972:
A p r. 1 9 7 8 :A p r. 1 9 9 6 :M a r. 1 9 9 8 :A p r. 1 9 9 8 :Jul. 2004:
Jul. 2006:
A p r. 2 0 1 0 :Au g. 2 0 11 :History
Northern Regions Research Council established
Approved as an incorporated body by the Prime Minister
Reorganized into the Northern Regions Center
Entrusted with the management and operation of Hokkaido International Centers
Recognized as a Local International Exchange Association by the Minister of Home Affairs
Incorporates the Hokkaido International Exchange Center for Youth and Women
Incorporates the Northern Regions Exchange Foundation
Incorporates the Hokkaido Overseas Association
Takes over the operations of the North Pacific Region Advanced Research CenterTransitions into a public interest incorporated association and changes its name to the Hokkaido International
Exchange and Cooperation Center

Organization
HIECC is a public interest incorporated association consisting of 662 corporate and individual members as ofMarch 31, 2014.
HIECC has a General Assembly consisting of members and a Board of Directors made up of directors
selected in the General Assembly.
President (Representative Director), Vice Presidents and Senior Director (Executive Director) are selected by
the Board of Directors.
In the system to execute the operations of HIECC, the President controls the operations as a representative of
HIECC and the Senior Director takes his/her share of the operations and executes it.
A Secretariat headed by the Director-general is in place as an organization to help execute the operations, andthe Secretariat has three divisions – the Administrative, Exchange/Cooperation and Research divisions.

(Organization)
General Assembly
Auditors
Advisors

Sub Organ
Northern
Regions Center

President(Representative Director)

Board ofDirectors

Senior Director(Chief Executive Officer)(Secretariat)

Director-general

Research Div.

Office)(North Pacific Region
Advanced Research

American Affairs)

Exchange/Cooperation
Div. (Office of South

Administrative Div.

Address: West 7 North 3, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido (Hokkaido Govt. Annex Bldg. 12F)
International Exchange Salon
This salon provides materials relating to international
exchange/cooperation bodies in Hokkaido andelsewhere. Commemorative gifts from overseas visitors
are also exhibited.

Advisors and Executive Officers(As of June 22, 2014)
Advisors
Kazunori Okabe
Harumi Takahashi
Ren Endo
Hideyoshi Kikuya
Takao Tanano
Yoshiro Ito
Hideo Minamiyama

Director-general, Hokkaido Regional Development Bureau,
Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism
Hokkaido Governor
Speaker, Hokkaido Legislative Assembly
President, Hokkaido Association of City Mayors
President, Hokkaido Association of Towns and Villages
Director-general, United Nations Association of Japan, Hokkaido
Head Office
Former President, Hokkaido International Exchange andCooperation Center

Executive officers
President
Toshio Sato

Hokkaido International Exchange and Cooperation Center

Vice Presidents
Yoshihiro Sekihachi
Iwao Takamuki
Kazuko Nakata
Tsuneo Fujita

President, Hokkaido Bank, Ltd.
Advisor, North Pacific Bank, Ltd.
President, Hokkaido Federation of Women’s Organizations
President, Hokkaido Canada Society

Vice President and SeniorDirector
Masahiro Echizen

Hokkaido International Exchange and Cooperation Center

Directors
Tenei Abe
Keibun Araki
Mitsuo Iguchi
Yoshikazu Inoshita
Ichiro Ueda
Shigeo Oya
Hiroyuki Onmura
Eiichi Takeya
Hiroyuki Kawaguchi
Yoichi Shimada
Nobuaki Suga
Taku Sugimoto
Miho Suzuki
Naoyuki Sekiguchi
Seiroku Takizawa
Tatsumi Tanimoto
Minoru Toizumi
Hiroyuki Nakata
Shinichi Harada
Kazuo Horiuchi
Masao Morimoto
Naomitsu Yokoyama
Takashi Watanabe
Auditors
Kazuhiko Sakamoto
Shun Yamazaki

President, Hokkaido Cultural Organization Council
President, Hokkaido Federation of Chambers of Commerce andIndustry
President, Hokkaido Finland Society
Honorary Consul, Honorary Consulate of the Republic of Latvia in
AsahikawaExecutive/Vice President, Hokkaido University
Vice President, Otaru University of Commerce
Senior Managing Director, Hokkaido Economic Federation
Senior Director, Hokkaido Tourism Organization
Director, Hokkaido Branch, Mainichi Newspapers Co., Ltd.
President, Sapporo Television Broadcasting Co., Ltd. (STV)
President, Hokkaido Cultural Broadcasting Co., Ltd. (uhb)
President, Hokkaido Sweden Society
Honorary President, Hokkaido International Women’s Association
President, Television Hokkaido Broadcasting Co., Ltd. (TVh)President, Sapporo Trade Association
Executive Director, Hokkaido Association of Towns and Villages
President, Hokkaido Television Broadcasting Co., Ltd. (HTB)
Vice President, Sapporo International Communication Plaza
Foundation
Managing Director, Hokkaido Shimbun Press Co., Ltd.
President, Hokkaido Brazil Association
President, Hokkaido Paraguay Association
Chairman, Hokkai-Gakuen
Director-general, Hokkaido Association of City Mayors
President, Hokkaido Broadcasting Co., Ltd. (HBC)

Senior Director, Hokkaido Sports Association
Yamazaki Certified Public Accounting Office-FY 2014 Project OverviewHolding of Board of Directors and Ordinary General Assembly Meetings
1. The 1st Board of Directors meeting, FY 2014: May 20 (Tue.), 2014; Hotel Polestar Sapporo
Proceedings ○ Approval of the FY 2013 business report and financial statements, adoption of a resolution callingfor an ordinary General Assembly meeting on 18th June

2. Ordinary General Assembly meeting, FY 2014: June 18 (Wed.), 2014; Hotel Sapporo Garden Palace
Proceedings ○ Approval of the FY 2013 business report and financial statements○ Report on the FY 2014 business plan and budget○ Appointment of directors as replacements; four directors were newly appointed.
New directors: Shigeo Oya, Vice President, Otaru University of Commerce
Nobuaki Suga, President, Hokkaido Cultural Broadcasting Co., Ltd. (uhb)
Toshio Sato, President, Sapporo University
Naoyuki Sekiguchi, President, Television Hokkaido Broadcasting Co., Ltd. (TVh)

3. The 2nd Board of Directors meeting, FY 2014: June 18 (Tue.), 2014; Hotel Garden Palace Sapporo
Proceedings ○ Appointment of President
New President: Toshio Sato, President, Sapporo University
Approval of new auditor
New auditor: Hideo Minamiyama
4. The 3rd Board of Directors meeting, FY 2014: March 25 (Wed.), 2015; Hotel Polestar Sapporo Proceedings ○Report on projects implemented in FY 2013
○ Report on the resolution concerning the FY 2014 supplementary budget○ Passage of the FY 2015 project overview and budget○ Delegation of the positions of advisors – approval of delegating the positions of advisors to
successors in line with the transfer of previous advisors
New advisors: Kazuo Okabe, Director-general, Hokkaido Regional Development Bureau

Promotion of International Mutual Understanding
1. Holding of lectures and symposiums(1) Holding of lectures on international understanding
Lectures and a symposium were held to promote understanding of HIECC
members and Hokkaido residents.
1) “Kazakhstan seminar in Hokkaido”
Jan. 26th Keio Plaza Hotel Sapporo
Theme: “Kazakhstan on continuous strong growth~ Seeking cooperation withJapan”
Lecturer: Akylbek Absatuly Kamaldinov, Ambassador of Kazakhstan
Talk session: Hirotake Tanji, Representative Director, FEC Management Ltd.,
Shinji Yoshimura, HIECC researcher(2) Holding of “Northern regions seminars” (northern regions exchange)
In collaboration with other organizations, six lectures were held to raise attendees' awareness of accumulated
knowledge and experience in the industrial economy and lifestyles of northern countries and to exchange
information on regional development.
1st Seminar: May 27 (Tue.), Hotel Monterey Edelhof Sapporo
Theme: Lessons from Modern Sweden
Lecturer: Yoshiki Watanabe, Former Ambassador to Sweden
Co-host: Hokkaido Sweden Society

2nd Seminar: June 13th (Fri.), Kaderu 2・7
Theme: Let’s study in Finland~ Guidance on studying abroad to Finland
Lecturer: TeroSalomaa, Vice director, Hokkaido Univ. Helsinki office
Co-host: Hokkaido Finland Society

3rd Seminar: Nov. 28th (Fri.), Sapporo Prince Hotel
Theme: Municipal system of Canada: through study and experience
Lecturer: Junichiro Koji, Lecturer, Hokkaido University of Education,
Hakodate
Co-hosts: Hokkaido Canada Society

4th Seminar: February 2nd (Mon.), Hotel Monterey Edelhof Sapporo
Theme: Relationship between Sweden and Japan after regime change in Sweden
Lecturer: Seiji Morimoto, Ambassador to Sweden
Co-host: Hokkaido Sweden Society※Due to Morimoto’s schedule, seminar was canceled.
5th Seminar: February 25th (Wed.), Kaderu 2・7
Theme: Prospect and theme on the relationship between Japan andRussiaLecturer: A.A.FABRICHNIKOV, Consul General of Russia
Co-host: Hokkaido Japan-Russia Association

(3) Holding of international symposiums and seminars
As the North Pacific Region Advanced Research Project, symposiums and seminars were held on important
themes related to politics, economy and foreign diplomacy in Northeast Asia, inviting overseas researchers andother concerned people as guests.
1) The 9th China-Hokkaido
economic exchange conference(Sapporo)
June 12 (Thu.) , International
Conference Room, Hokkai Gakuen
Univ.
Pt.1) Key Speech
Theme: Shifting economic
structure in China-Cause,
Challenge and Countermeasure
Speaker: Chow Hin, Principle
researcher, Institute of World
Economics and Politics Chinese
AcademyPt.2) Baseline report
1: Theme: International strategy on
Hokkaido food complex plan
Speaker: Yasutaka Sagawa, Secretary General, Hokkaido Food Industry Promotion Organization
2: Theme: Current situation and prospect of China’s overseas trade
Speaker: Sung Kets, Researcher, Institute of World Economics and Politics Chinese AcademyPt.3) Discussion – Panels from China’s side and Japan’s side2) Symposium and seminars on internationalsituationsi)The 5th Hokkaido International Symposiumon Northeast Asia
1st stage: December 5 (Fri), Main Conference
Room, Slavic-Eurasian Research Center,
Hokkaido University
Theme: Social and economic impact of the
Arctic passage ~ from Norwegian, Russian andJapanese viewpoints
Speakers: Rune Rafaelsen, Norwegian
Barents secretariat
Vladimir Semenov, Central marine
research and design institute, Russia
Natsuhiko Otsuka, North Japan Port
Consultants Co., ltd
Commentator: Fujio Ohnishi, Assistant professor, Nihon University
2nd stage: January 27 (Tue.), Hotel Polestar Sapporo
Theme: Changing Arctic sea-Arctic passage andHokkaido
Key Speech1: Arctic sea and Arctic passage by
Shinichiro Tabata, Director Slavic Research Center,
Hokkaido Univ.
Key Speech2: Arctic passage and Japan・Hokkaido
by Toru Tamura, Prof. Hokkaido Univ.
Panel Discussion- Shinichiro Tabata, Toru Tamura,
Kisho Kawai, Natsuhiko Otsuka

ii)Symposium on border tourism in Hokkaido
October 2nd (Thu.) Hotel Garden Palace Sapporo
Theme: Potential of border tourism and Hokkaido
Speaker: Akihiro Iwashita, Prof. Slavic ResearchCenter, Hokkaido Univ.
Panel Discussion-Masato Itou, Yukihiro Fujita,
Masahiro Yoneda, Akihiro Iwashita3) Seminar on international situation
November 26 (Wed.), Hokkaido Univ.
Theme: Far East Russia: Strategy and reality
Lecturer: Minakir, P.A., Russian Academy of Sciences
Cohosted by Slavic Research Center, Hokkaido Univ.

4) Hokkaido Mongolia economic exchange promotion
seminarNovember 21(Fri.), TKP Sapporo business center
Theme: Economic situation in Mongolia
Speaker: Toshinobu Kato, Director, JICA Mongolia
officePresentation1: Effort by Hokkaido Government
Speaker: Toshihiro Kodama, Director, Hokkaido
Government, Economic Bureau, International
Economic Office
Presentation2: Activities hosted by Mongolian national
chamber of commerce
Speaker: U.Ulziinyam, Director, Mongolian National
Chamber of Commerce, Japan office
Co-host: Hokkaido Government, Mongolian National Chamber of Commerce, Hokkaido International businesscenter5) Russian business seminars(i) May 28 (Wed.), Hokkaido Economic Center
Theme: Russian Far East and Hokkaido – Business
Opportunity
Discussion panel
Hirotaka Tanji, Representative Director, FEC
Management Ltd.
Ryouji Kamei, Researcher, Hokuyo bank international
sectionKou Nakamura, Researcher, Hokkaido Intellect Tank
Co-hosts: Hokkaido Federation of Chamber ofCommerce and Industry, Sapporo Chamber of Commerceand Industry(ii) November 19 (Wed.), Hokkaido Economic Center
Theme: Influences caused by Economic Sanction to Japan-Russia Business Partnership
Lecturer: Yukio Asazuma, Consultant on Japan-Russia business exchange
Presentation: Business exchange between Hokkaido and Sakhalin, Vladivostok
Speaker: Yui Tabata, Specialist, FEC Management Ltd.
Co-hosts: Hokkaido Government, Sapporo Chamber of Commerce and Industry

(4) Holding of regular international exchange lectures
In collaboration with the Hokkaido International Women’s Association, HIECC co-hosted five regular meetings tolearn about the lifestyles and cultures of other countries and promote cross-cultural and mutual understanding
through lectures and talks by international guests who are visiting, or residing in, Hokkaido.
1) Depth of International Relationship between Korea and Japan (May 22 (Thu.) )Lecturer: Jeong Hwan-seong, the Consul-General of the Republic of Korea
2) Regarding relationship between Japan and the United States (July 10 (Thu.), Linkage Plaza)
Lecturer: JoEllen Gorg, Principal Officer at the U.S. Consulate in Sapporo
3) Persons returned to homeland and left behind from Sakhalin-Past, Present and Future especially fromwomen and children’s standpoints (September 18 (Thu.))
Lecturer: Paichadze Svetlana, Founder, Child Assist Sapporo Association
4) Meeting to introduce Japanese culture (October 27 (Mon.))Lecturer: Tokiko Morikawa
5) Singapore as Multi-culture country (January 13(Tue.))
Lecturer: Sakina Muhammad Khalid, CIR, Sapporo City

2. Collection and provision of international information(1) Research study and collection of resource materials
Participating in various economic exchange projects for research and collection of information*Hokkaido Economic Mission to Russia Coastal Region June 4~7*Far East Russia problem solving type of business opportunity participation promotion project in relation incooperation with Private sect, Public sect, Academics and Financial sect. July24~February 27
Sharing contract with FEC Management Co., Ltd.
*Far East Russia, Mongolia “Contribution and Participation” business plan promotion project
Implementing the project together with Hokkaido Government(2) Operation of the website (an international information network system)
The Internet was used to collect, accumulate and widely transmit information on international exchanges,
cooperation and other activities. Facebook was also used to provide timely information. An annual reporttranslated into English was posted on the website.

(3) Publication of quarterly periodical “HOPPOKEN (Northern Regions)” Vol.168-Vol.171
Providing information relating to international exchanges and promotion of international understanding for mainly
Hokkaido residents including our members. Issuing 1500 circulation, four times a year.
*Feature article
Vol. 168(Summer)-Taiwan~ a city in which the traditions of old Japan are still alive
Vol. 169(Autumn)-Report on the World Cup 2014 Brazil~ I came, I saw, I KICKED!
Vol. 170(Winter)-Welcome to Amazing Thailand~ Das Land des Lachelns as it isVol. 171(Spring)-Facing with religion-India as multi-religious country now~ Secular country India as it is3. Overseas training(1) Overseas training projects
HIECC dispatched six young people from various parts of Hokkaido to Myanmar and Malaysia to foster
personnel capable of contributing to local development with an international perspective through learning about
regional circumstances overseas, taking a tour of related organizations and having opinion exchanges with thepeople involved and university students. They visited JICA office, facilities that support Japanese businesses andNGOs including groups that support disabled people and street children as well as local universities.
Dispatch period: November 2 (Sun.) – 9 (Sun.)
Destinations: Myanmar, Malaysia
Participants: 6 business people and students(2) Project for high school students to be mediators between Japan and the rest of the world
1) Project for high school students to be mediators between Japan and Asia
HIECC dispatched high school students from Hokkaido to a developing country, where they faced various
disparities and environmental problems, to help students consider global issues as their own problems. After
returning to Japan, they visited junior high and high schools in Hokkaido to report and share their experience. This
project is intended to foster individuals who can actively collaborate with other people and society with global
viewpoint.
Dispatch period: August 3 (Sun.) – 10 (Sun.)
Destination: Cambodia
Participants: 10 high school students, 3 supervisors and other people
Miscellaneous: 2 preliminary training sessions, 2 follow-up training sessions, 7 reporting sessions (for junior highand high school students and Hokkaido residents)

2) Youth Eco Forum 2014
HIECC dispatched two Hokkaido local high school students to Youth Eco Forum 2014 where they discussed
various environmental problems with young people from northern regions for pursuing capacity building.
Dispatch period: August 1 (Fri.) - August10 (Sun.)
Destination: Respublika Sakha, Russia
Participants: 2 local high school students
Miscellaneous: 2 preliminary training sessions, 4 follow-up training sessions, 2 reporting sessions (for high school
students and Hokkaido residents)

3) The 5th Jeju Youth ForumTo develop human resources, HIECC dispatched two high school students from Hokkaido to the 5th Jeju Youth
Forum, giving them the opportunity to exchange opinions on global social problems with young people fromanother 7 countries and 17 regions through panel discussions and by experiencing the culture.
Dispatch period: November 6 (Thu.) – 10 (Mon.)
Destination: Jejudo, South Korea
Participants: 2 local high school students

4. Promotion of multicultural symbiosis(1) Hokkaido Multicultural Symbiosis Regional Development Promotion Council
International residents have been increasing year by year and play important roles in Hokkaido’s local
communities. Taking this situation into account, the council met to consider issues and solutions toward therealization of a multicultural society of Hokkaido. The council aims to bring mutual understanding amongst local
people and foreign residents with a sense of respect, and expects, in the long run, they can work together tocontribute to regional development and revitalization.

Main theme 2014 “Provision of hospitality, safety and sense of relief to tourists from abroad”
1) Lecture and opinion exchanges: Lecturer: Noriyuki Goto, Advisor, tourism bureau Hokkaido Government,
Satoshi Shibata, Director, International Office, Hokkaido Development Agency
April 22 (Tue.), HIECC
2) Lecture and opinion exchanges: July 29 (Mon.), Hotel Niseko Alpen (Kutchan)
Visits and opinion exchanges: Lecturer: Shinako Ashida, Director, NPO S-nico July 24 (Tue.), HIECC
3) Summary of records on discussions at council meetings: Guest speaker: Hiroto Watanabe, Director,
Multicultural coexistence dept., CLAIR, July 30 (Wed.), HIECC(2) Multicultural symbiosis enlightenment project (lecture)
The population of Hokkaido has been aging at a much faster rate than the average for Japan. Against this backdrop,
HIECC held a lecture for local communities, to realize a multicultural society in which foreigners can play animportant role which eventually contributes to regional development and revitalization.

April 21st (Mon.), Sapporo, co-hosted by Sapporo International Communication Plaza Foundation; Audience: 47
peopleTheme: Regional Revitalization and Multiculturalism – Creating more comfortable community for foreign
residents
Lecturer: Taro Tamura, Representative Director, Multicultural Center Osaka
November 18th (Tue.), Hakodate city, co-hosted by Hokkaido International Foundation; Audience; 30 people
Theme: Promotion of diversified society~ As countermeasure against decreasing population
Lecturer: Taro Tamura, Representative Director, Multicultural Center Osaka
Theme: Potential contribution brought by foreign human resources
Lecturer: Ngano Hori, Director, Global Human Resource Center Hamamatsu
February 5th (Thu.), Kitami city, co-hosted by Kitami city, Audience; 45 people
Theme: International exchanges and Multiculturalism –From viewpoint of regional revitalization
Lecturer: Taro Tamura, Representative Director, Multicultural Center Osaka(3) Multicultural symbiosis coordinator seminar
HIECC held a seminar for the people involved in the realization of a multicultural symbiosis society in Hokkaido
and future regional development.
March 23 (Mon.), Takikawa city
Lecturer: Yoshihiro Shitozawa, Auditor–Secretary, National Multicultural Manager Council; others
Samut Tungsaleekased, Director, Hokkaido-Thai .com
Participants: 10 people (local government officials, representatives of international exchange organizations, NPOs
and other bodies)(4) World cooking classes
In collaboration with other organizations, HIECC held cooking classes for people from overseas and Hokkaido
residents to have exchange opportunities and deepen mutual understanding by experiencing the traditions andfood cultures of other countries through their cuisines.
1) South American cooking class (Nov. 1st (Sat.), Sapporo city; co-host: Hokkaido Brazil Association)2) Russian cooking class (Nov. 6 (Thu.), Asahikawa; co-host: Ryabina Japan-Russia Cultural Exchange
Association
3) Finland cooking class (Feb. 15 (Sun.), Sapporo city; co-host: Hokkaido Finland Society)(5) Registration and dispatch of international exchange volunteers
HIECC registered volunteers who cooperate with international exchange programs and dispatched them to support
regional activities and programs by exchange groups.
● Number of registered people: 50 (As of Mar. 31(Tue.) )● Number of occasions when volunteers are dispatched (English): 1(6) Supply of goods to international students
HIECC registered goods donated by people involved in Hokkaido for supply to international students throughuniversities.
● Number of registrations:6(as of Mar. 31 (Tue.))Promotion of International Exchange
1. Implementation of exchange programs with other countries(1) Participation in commemorative ceremony on Hokkaido people migration to South America(Brazil,
Paraguay)
HIECC along with personnel from Hokkaido government and Hokkaido assembly visited Brazil and Paraguay,
and participated in the ceremonies in commemoration of 95th year of Hokkaido people immigrating to Brazil, 75th
years to Paraguay
Ceremony in Brazil: October 19th (Sun.): Sao Paulo city, Brazil

Ceremony in Paraguay: October 17th (Fri.): Iguas city, Paraguay(2) Hosting of a group visiting Hokkaido from overseas (South America exchange)
HIECC hosted a visiting group of six people who are the descendants of emigrants from Hokkaido to Brazil tobroaden their recognition of their ancestors’ land and promote friendship and mutual understanding throughinteraction with Hokkaido residents and a tour of the region.
Period of receiving delegates: January 29 (Thu.) – February 5 (Thu.), Sapporo, Kitahiroshima, other areas

(3) Japan-South Korea sports exchange program
To promote characteristic exchanges and cooperation befitting an aging society with South Korea, Hokkaido’s
local sport “Mini-volleyball” had been introduced to South Korea several years ago. Then memorandum topromote further sports exchange was exchanged in Korea.
Period of visiting to Korea: Nov 12 (Wed.) – 15 (Sat.)
Participants: HIECC, Hokkaido Mini-volleyball association
Details: Mini volleyball instruction, fun game, exchange of memorandum(4) Participation in Culture Night 2014
HIECC participated in Culture Night, an event in which cultural facilities are open to the public at night to deepen
an understanding of local culture in collaboration with Hokkaido residents, companies and administrative bodies,and provided an opportunity for local people to interact with foreigners to introduce the activities of HIECC.
July 19 (Fri.), HIECC (participants: approx. 150 people)
Program: Experience games from around the world! Try on traditional clothing from around the world!
Talk with young people from around the world!

2. Promotion of receiving international students(1) Implementation of financial support for international students
To help increase the number of international students at universities in Hokkaido, HIECC provided grant aid for
privately funded international students, and registered the recipients as international supporters to facilitate their
participation in regional exchange programs.
Outline of grant aid for study
Target: privately funded international students (such as graduate students)
Number of grant-aided students: 50
Grant-in-aid amount: ¥15,000/month(2) Promotion of receiving international students
To help increase the number of international students, HIECC promoted universities in Hokkaido to overseas
students, universities and related organizations.
1) Administration of the promotion website (http://study-hokkaido.com)
Translation of the promotion website (Korean)2) Implementation of on-site promotional activities and the creation and distribution of a guidebook forinternational students
3) Participation in the Japan Education Fair (hosted by the Japan Student Services Organization) in Indonesia to
distribute brochures of Hokkaido and universities in Hokkaido (promotion to students)
October 18 (Sat.), Surabaya venue; number of visitors to the HIECC booth: approx. 150
October 19 (Sun.), Jakarta venue; number of visitors to the HIECC booth: approx. 200(3) Implementation of regional exchanges with international students
HIECC invited 29 international students from 14 countries and regions who study at universities in Hokkaido to
Kuriyama Town, where they interacted with local people during the Kuriyama Summer Festa and deepened theirunderstanding of regional development techniques by lectures given by local authorities’ staff along with site visit
to “Hasanbetsu satoyama district”.
(July 25 (Fri.) and 26 (Sat.), Kuriyama town, participants: 29 international students)

3. Support for emigrants(1) Hosting of international students (South America exchanges)
HIECC hosted an international student from an association representing people who emigrated from Hokkaido to
Brazil and provided training for one year to encourage educational promotion, mutual cultural exchanges andfriendship, and fostering his ability to act as a bridge or link between Hokkaido and his country.
Nationality of international student: Brazilian
Period: April 2014 – March 2015(2) Support for activities by associations representing people emigrated from Hokkaido (South America
exchange)
HIECC supported the operation of associations representing people emigrated from Hokkaido and their activities
to provide information for emigrants○ Brazil Hokkaido Association○ Paraguay Federation of Associations of People from Hokkaido○ Argentina Association of People from Hokkaido○ Sakhalin Association of People from Hokkaido

4. Grants-in-aid for exchange programs(1) Grants-in-aid based on international exchange program assets
HIECC provided a total of 3.2 million yen for 14 programs (culture: 5, exchange: 5, sports: 3, event: 1) byinternational exchange bodies using management gains from international exchange program assets to promoteexchanges with various regions of the world and contribute to the development of life, culture and industrial
economy of Hokkaido.
FY 2014 Results of grants-in-aid from the international exchange fundCategory

CultureTarget for grants-in-aid
Program name
Organizer

Place

Time

Performance by
Russia-Sakhalin ensemble in
Hokkaido

NPO Hokkaido
Japan Russia
association

100

SapporoKushiroJul.

Participation in Seoul Drama
Festival

Hokkaido Drama
Foundation

250

Seoul
DaejeonJun.

100

MuroranJul.

250

SapporoFukagawa

Feb.

150

SapporoOct.

Nadam Festival in Hokkaido

Japan-Ukraine International
Exchange Piano Performance

The 7th Japan-Taiwan
Friendship Choir Concert

ExchangeAmount(¥1,000)

Hokkaido
Mongolia
Friendshipsociety
Funiko Yasuda,
Kievduo
Executive
Committee
Japan-Taiwan
Friendship Choir
ConcertExecutive
Committee

Hokkaido-Far East Russia
exchange program“Youth friendship boat”

500

Sapporo

1July
2Sep.

Irankarapute music festival
2014

Irankaraputemusic festival
Executive
Committee

250

SapporoJul.

International salmon study
project group dispatched to
CanadaHokkaido
Salmon Society

300

SapporoMar.

Folding Cosmos Helsinki

Folding Cosmos
Executive
Committee

200

Helsinki
FinlandDec.

FY 2014 Junior Ambassador
Delegation Dispatch Program

Takikawa
International
Exchange
Association

200

Springfield
U.S.A.

Nov.

SportsJapan-Canada Ice hockey
International exchange
programShowa-Shinzan
International
Yukigassen
Executive
Committee
Japan-Canada
Ice hockey
international
exchange
Executive
Committee

Having invited choir group from Taiwan to holdjoint concert with Sapporo local chorus group witha view to promote mutual understanding throughmusic.
16th youth friendship boat~ received 62
youngsters from Sakhalin to promotecultural and other exchanges.
2.
9th Citizen Exchange Conference~ Under thetheme of “Aiming to achieve better living
environment” delegates from both countries
held conference in Sakhalin.
To promote and develop ethnic cultures including
Ainu music, a cultural asset of Hokkaido andSapporo, the Ainu and the other indigenous people
in the world, deepened mutual understanding
through music and cultural exchanges.
The Hokkaido side dispatched group of 12
elementary and junior high school students andthree accompanying adults to British Columbia,
Canada. Participants learned about the actual
situation of salmon and river protection, anddeepened international exchanges and mutual
understanding through homestay and school visit
opportunities.
Several artists from Hokkaido were dispatched to
Finland to carry out workshop and exhibition withsupport by Arlto Univ. with a view to deepen
mutual cultural understanding.
Six junior high and high school students weredispatched to Springfield in the U.S., a sister cityof Takikawa, to foster individuals with aninternational perspective. They experienceddifferences in lifestyle and culture throughhomestay, school visit opportunities and training atphilanthropy institutions.
1.

Hokkaido-Far
East Russia
exchange
program
Executive
Committee

The 27th Showa-Shinzan
International Yukigassen
ProgramDescription
Inviting folklore ensemble from Sakhalin,
performed concert in Sapporo and Kushiro, alongwith to engage in exchanges with Hokkaido-local
residents by participating local festival.
Hokkaido Drama Foundation performed atwell-known Seoul Drama Festival in Seoul as well
as at sister-city Daejeon to enhance networking
with theatre houses in Korea.
Initiated by Mongolian students in Hokkaido,
Nadam Festival Hokkaido where Mongolian song,dance, food, and even characteristic residential
shelter of GERU (or PAO) was exhibited.
Having invited classical piano performer from
Kiev, Ukraine, Fumiko Yasuda held joint charity
concert to promote friendship relation between
Ukraine and Japan.

200

Sobetsu

Feb.

Yukigassen (snowball fighting) events were held torevive this sport and promote regional
revitalization and tourism during the winter, and to
popularize yukigassen in northern European
countries.

200

KushiroJuly

Inviting Canadian ice hockey team to play friendly
match against high school team in Kushiro, as wellas promoting exchange program with

International Cooperation
Festa 2014

Hokkaido NGO
Network Council

200

SapporoDec.

NGOs in Hokkaido collaborated to hold a panel
exhibition about international cooperation, and set
up booths to introduce their activities. Stage
performances and talk shows were also held.

Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk youth
wrestling exchange program

AsahikawaInternational
Exchange
Committee

300

Asahikawa

Nov.

Having invited youth wrestling delegates fromYuzhno-Sakhalinsk to engage in sports exchange
program with youth in Asahikawa.

Event

Total

14

3,200

5. Exchanges and collaboration with regional organizations(1) Holding of regional meetings on international exchange
In order to strengthen collaboration with municipalities andregional international exchange organizations, HIECC held
meetings with people concerned in various parts of Hokkaido toexchange information and opinions about collaboration in future
activities.
1) June 26 (Thu.), Tomakomai city
2) August 26 (Tue.), Urakawa town
3) November 21 (Fri.), Nakashibetsu town
4) January 21 (Wed.), Obihiro city

(2) Promotion of projects in which HIECC plays a role of executive committee member
HIECC participated in the executive committees of international exchange programs jointly held by relevantorganizations and groups, and cooperated with the implementation of these programs.
1) Hokkaido-Russia Far East Exchange Program
In order to deepen the friendship between Hokkaido and Sakhalin, HIECC participated in the executive
committees of the Citizens’ Exchange Conference and the Boat of Experience and Friendship for Youth to assist
with the smooth implementation of the programs.
· Citizens’ Exchange Conference (Sept. 25 (Thu.), Sapporo)
Theme: Aiming to more substantial living environment~ rising problems with medical environment,
education and welfare· Boat of Experience and Friendship for Youth (July 29 – August 4 (Mon.), Sapporo and other cities)2) The 37th Sapporo International Night (co-hosted since FY 2012)
International students and Japanese university/high school students held discussions and deepened exchanges
under the theme, “Let’s pass down our good and old Japanese tradition to the future world!”
December 14 (Sun.), Keio Plaza Hotel Sapporo/Kaderu 2.7; participants: 421 people from 16 countries
Part 1: Group discussions (themes shown below)
A. Examining Life in Japan~ Pros and cons
B. Analyzing mind of Japanese people~ Japanese who don’t say either YES nor NO
C. Let’s talk about traditional Japanese food culture~“Itadakimas(Shall we eat)”, “Gochisousama(Thanks forthe meal)”
D. Long live FESTIVALS!~Japanese or world elsewhere, festival is transcendent meeting place
E. The way the world inherit their own tradition and culture
F. Workshop: Japanese tea ceremony, flower arrangement and calligraphy
G. Workshop: Let’s sing and dance “Hokkaido traditional folksong “Soran bushi, Hokkai bonodori”
Part 2: Exchange party
Following short presentation on the results of the discussions, international students gave performances and allparticipants joined in a chorus, deepening their mutual understanding and friendship.

(3) The operations of the Hokkaido Consular and Foreign Trade Corps, and implementation of its projects
HIECC serves as the executive office of the Hokkaido Consular and Foreign Trade Corps, which has been
established to facilitate mutual collaboration and information-sharing among consulate-generals, consulates andtrade offices in Hokkaido and promote exchanges in economic, educational, cultural and other various fields
between Hokkaido and overseas countries. The organization has also worked with consulate-generals on activities
to build connections between Hokkaido residents and foreign consular offices.
(Corps members: 6 consulate-generals and similar offices, 21 honorary consulates, 4 supporting members, as ofMar. 31, 2015)(Activity outline)
1) General meeting
The general meeting was attended by Jeong Hwan-seong, the Consul-General of the Republic of Korea in
Sapporo, and other consul-generals/consuls as well as ten honorary consuls.
May 28 (Wed.), Sapporo Prince Hotel annex Pamir hall2) School visit projectConsul-generals and other staff of consulate-generals visited junior high schools and high schools in Hokkaido,
where they presented outlines of the culture in their own countries and the work of consulate generals to broaden
students’ global views and deepen an understanding of different cultures.
◎School visits
i. Rusutsu Junior High School: Consulate-General of the Republic of China and Australia (May. 8 (Thu.))ii. Tokai Daiyon Junior High School: Consulate-General of Australia (Oct. 10 (Fri.))iii. Higashi Shimokawa Elementary School: Consulate-General of China (Oct. 14(Tue.))iv. Sapporo Kiyota High School: visited consular offices (excluding the U.S.) (Oct. 17 (Fri.))*The Consulate-General of the U.S.A visited the school (Oct. 31 (Fri.))v. Sapporo Minamigaoka Junior High School: Consulate-General of Australia, Consulate-General of the RussianFederation, Consulate-General of the Republic of China (Dec. 3 (Sun.) )vi. Atsuma Junior High School: The Consulate-General of the U.S.A (Feb. 24 (Tue.) )vii. Atsunan Junior High School: The Consulate-General of the U.S.A (Feb. 24 (Tue.) )3) International Week
To promote greater visibility or presence of consulate-generals and similar offices that directly represent foreigncountries in Hokkaido, promotional displays, performances and other events were held to introduce the economic
situations and cultures of those countries. More than 6,000 people from Hokkaido participated in the events.
◎Promotional displays
Period: October 11 (Sat.) – 13 (Mon.)
Venue: Kita 3-jo Square, Sapporo Ekimae-dori Underground Walkway
Participants: general-consulates and similar offices (6 countries), honorary consulates (9 countries)◎Performances to introduce culture
Period: October 11 (Sat.) – 13 (Mon.)
Venue: Kita 3-jo Square, Sapporo Ekimae-dori Underground Walkway
Participants: general-consulates and similar offices (7 countries)4) New Year’s party
A New Year’s party was held and was attended by consul-generals and honorary consuls of foreign consular
offices as members of the Corps, the Hokkaido vice Governor, the Director-General of METI Hokkaido and othergovernment officials, the Chairman of the Hokkaido Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry and otherrepresentatives from the business community of Hokkaido, universities and the media as well as representatives
from international exchange and cooperation bodies.
January 15 (Thu.), International Convention Center Pamir, Sapporo Prince Hotel
Organizer: Hokkaido Consular and Foreign Trade Corps
Participants: 83 people ((from municipalities, international exchange/cooperation bodies, economic groups, others)

Promotion of International Cooperation
1. Participation in the training projects of the Japan International Cooperation Agency(JICA)(1) Implementation of group training projects
HIECC was entrusted to coordinate six training courses by JICA Hokkaido International Center (Sapporo).
1) Task-specific training, “Waterworks Engineers”(Reception period: July 7-Sept. 16)

2) Country focus training, “Capacity Development In Planning and Implementation of Community Development
In Acholi Sub-Region, Uganda”(Reception period: July 28 – August 15)3) Task-specific training, “Tourism Destination Marketing under the cooperation between the public and private
sectors (A)”(Reception period: October 9 – November 5)4) Country focus training, “Management Technology for Malaysian Fisheries Facilities and Fisheries
Cooperatives”(Reception period: October 20 – November 9)

5) Region-specific training, “Training for Regional Development by Systematic and Comprehensive Utilization ofForest Resources through Forest Certification System and Product Branding”(Reception period: Oct. 22 –Nov. 26)

6) Country-specific training, “Support for the Dissemination of a Newborn-Mass Screening System in Morocco”(Reception period: February 27-Mar. 26)(2) Implementation of the youth training projectAs part of JICA Hokkaido (Sapporo) youth training programs, HIECC hosted 9 young administrative officers
from Kazakhstan and Kirghiz, and provided training on local government systems, policies and public services incooperation with the Hokkaido Government, Sapporo City, Otaru City, Kuriyama Town and other municipalities.
Participants reported the results at the end of the training, and made a variety of proposals on how to use what
they learned in the training after returning home.
Youth training, “Composite of Central Asia and the Caucasia; Local Administration Course”(Reception period: January 21 (Wed.) – February 5 (Thu.), 2015)

2. Hosting of trainees from overseas
Hosting of overseas technical trainees (South America exchange)
With the aim of supporting emigrants and contributing to human resource development and economic
development in their countries, HIECC hosted a trainee from each of the associations representing people who
had emigrated from Hokkaido to Brazil and Paraguay, and provided training in advanced expertise, fostering theirability to form a link between Hokkaido and their countries.
(Technical trainees)
Paraguay 1, Brazil 1
Period: June 2014 – March 2015

3. Collection and provision of information on international cooperation
Publication of the “Deai” information magazine on international cooperation
Vol.72-Vol.74
To deepen understanding of international cooperation and developing countries, HIECC published the Deai
information magazine on international cooperation, introducing the programs and activities implemented by
HIECC and other international exchange/cooperation organizations in Hokkaido. A total of 2,000 copies per issue
were published three times during the year and were distributed to international exchange/cooperation
organizations in Hokkaido and elsewhere, as well as municipalities, universities and other related bodies in
Hokkaido.

International Sister/Friendship Partners with Municipalities in Hokkaido
Municipality(1) Affiliated cities(2) Affiliated year
Hokkaido(1) Alberta / Canada(2) Sept. 1980
(1) Heilongjiang / China(2) June 1986
(1) Massachusetts / U.S.A.
(2) Feb. 1990
(1) Sakhalin State / Russia(2) June 1998
(1) Pusan / Korea(2) Dec. 2005
(1) Kyongsang-namdo / Korea(2) Jun. 2006
(1) Seoul / Korea(2) Oct. 2010
(1) Chiang Mai / Thailand(2) Feb, 2013
(1) Hawaii / U.S.A(2) Jan. 2014
Sapporo(1) Portland, Oregon / U.S.A.
(2) Nov. 1959
(1) Munich, Bayern / Germany(2) Aug. 1972
(1) Shenyang, Liaoning / China(2) Nov. 1980
(1) Novosibirsk, Novosibirsk State / Russia(2) June 1990
(1) Daejeon / Korea(2) Oct. 2010
Asahikawa(1) Bloomington, Normal, the Illinois / U.S.A.
(2) Jan. 1962
(1) Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, Sakhalin State / Russia(2) Nov. 1967
(1) Suwon, Gyeonggi-do / Korea(2) Oct. 1989
(1) Harbin, Heilongjiang / China(2) Nov. 1995

Kushiro(1) Burnaby, British Columbia / Canada(2) Sept. 1965
(1) Kholmsk, Sakhalin State / Russia(2) Aug. 1975
Mombetsu(1) Newport, Oregon / U.S.A.
(2) Apr. 1966
(1) Korsakov, Sakhalin State / Russia(2) Jan. 1991
(1) Fairbanks, Alaska / U.S.A.
(2) Feb. 1991
Otaru
(1) Nakhodka, Primorsky Region / Russia(2) Sept. 1966
(1) Dunedin / New Zealand(2) July 1980
(1) Gangseo-gu, Seoul / Korea(2) Feb. 2009
Obihiro(1) Seward, Alaska / U.S.A.
(2) Mar. 1968
(1) Chaoyang, Liaoning / China(2) Nov. 2000
(3) 41ﾟ35’ N(1) Madison, Wisconsin / U.S.A.
(2) Oct. 2006
Chitose(1) Anchorage, Alaska / U.S.A.
(2) Apr. 1969
(1) Kongsberg, Buskerud / Norway(2) Aug. 1988
(1) Changchun, Jilin / China(2) Oct. 2004
Kitami(1) Elizabeth, New Jersey / U.S.A.
(2) June 1969
(1) Poronaysk, Sakhalin State / Russia(2) Aug. 1972
(1) Jinju, Gyeongsangnam-do / Korea(2) May 1985
(1) Barrhead, Alberta / Canada(2) July 1991

Nayoro(1) Kawartha Lakes (former Lindsay), Ontario / Canada(2) Aug. 1969
(1) Dolinsk, Sakhalin State / Russia(2) Mar. 1991
Rumoi
(1) Ulan Ude, Burijat S.S.R. / Russia(2) July 1972
Wakkanai(1) Nevelsk, Sakhalin State / Russia(2) Sept. 1972
(1) Baguio / Philippines(2) Mar. 1973
(1) Korsakov, Sakhalin State / Russia(2) July 1991
(1) Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, Sakhalin State / Russia(2) Sept. 2001
Nemuro(1) Sitka, Alaska / U.S.A.
(2) Dec. 1975
(1) Severokurilisk, Sakhalin State / Russia(2) Jan. 1994
(3) 50°40’ N
Furano(1) Schladming, Steiermark / Austria(2) Feb. 1977
Ebetsu(1) Gresham, Oregon / U.S.A.
(2) May 1977
Tomakomai(1) Napier / New Zealand(2) Apr. 1980
(1) Qinhuangdao, Hebei / China(2) Sept. 1998
Yubari(1) Fushun, Liaoning / China(2) Apr. 1982
Hakodate(1) Halifax, Nova Scotia / Canada(2) Nov. 1982
(1) Vladivostok, Primorsky Region / Russia(2) July 1992
(1) Lake Macquarie, New South Wales / Australia(2) July 1992
(1) Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, Sakhalin State / Russia

(2) Sept. 1997
(1) Tianjin / China(2) Oct. 2001
(1) Goyang, Gyeonggi-do / Korea(2) Aug. 2011
Ishikari(1) Campbell River, British Columbia / Canada(2) Oct. 1983
(1) Vanino, Khabarovsk Region / Russia(2) June 1993
(1) Pengzhou, Sichuan / China(2) Oct. 2000
Iwamizawa(1) Pocatello, Idaho / U.S.A.
(2) May 1985
(1) Canby, Oregon / U.S.A.
(2) July 1989
Abashiri(1) Port Alberni, British Columbia / Canada(2) Feb. 1986
Muroran(1) Knoxville, Tennessee / U.S.A.
(2) Jan. 1991
(1) Rizhao, Shandong / China(2) July 2002
Ashibetsu(1) Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island / Canada(2) July 1993
Takikawa(1) Springfield, Massachusetts / U.S.A.
(2) Aug. 1993
Fukagawa(1) Abbotsford, British Columbia / Canada(2) Sept. 1998
Akabira(1) Samcheok, Gangwon-do / Korea(2) July 1997
(1) Miluo, Hunan / China(2) Sept. 1999
Shibetsu(1) Goulburn Mulwaree, New South Wales / Australia(2) July 1999
Noboribetsu(1) Guangzhou, Guangdong / China(2) May 2002

(1) Faaborg-Midtfyn / Denmark(2) June 2007
(1) Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands / U.S.A.
(2) Nov. 2006
Date
(1) Lake Cowichan, British Columbia / Canada(2) Oct. 1989
(1) Zhangzhou, Fujian / China(2) Apr. 2010
Eniwa
(1) Timaru / New Zealand(2) Feb. 2008
Kutchan(1) St. Moritz, Graubunden / Switzerland(2) Mar. 1964
Shakotan(1) Seaside, Oregon / U.S.A.
(2) May 1966
Rankoshi(1) Saalfelden, Salzburg / Austria(2) Oct. 1969
Engaru(1) Bastos, São Paulo / Brazil(2) Oct. 1972
(1) Moirans-en-Montagne, Jura / France(2) May 1998
(3) 46°26’ N
Biei(1) Saalbach, Salzburg / Austria(2) June 1973
Ikeda
(1) Penticton, British Columbia / Canada(2) May 1977
Betsukai(1) Wasserburg, Bayern / Germany(2) May 1979
(3) 48°04’ N
Kamisunagawa(1) Sparwood, British Columbia / Canada(2) Sept. 1980
Saroma(1) Palmer, Alaska / U.S.A.
(2) Oct. 1980
Shiraoi(1) Quesnel, British Columbia / Canada(2) July 1981

Akkeshi(1) Clarence, Tasmania / Australia(2) Feb. 1982
Teshio(1) Homer, Alaska / U.S.A.
(2) Apr. 1984
(1) Tomary, Sakhalin State / Russia(2) July 1992
Kamikawa(1) Rocky Mountain House, Alberta / Canada(2) June 1984
Shikaoi(1) Stony Plain, Alberta / Canada(2) Aug. 1985
Kamifurano(1) Camrose, Alberta / Canada(2) Sept. 1985
Rikubetsu(1) Lacombe, Alberta / Canada(2) July 1986
Tobetsu(1) Leksand, Dalarna / Sweden(2) Oct. 1987
Shinhidaka(1) Lexington, Kentucky / U.S.A.
(2) July 1988
Yoichi(1) East Dunbartonshire, Scotland / United Kingdom(2) Nov. 1997
Enbetsu(1) Castlegar, British Columbia / Canada(2) June 1989
Higashikawa(1) Canmore, Alberta / Canada(2) July 1989
(3) 51°05’ N(1) Rujiena, Valmiera / Latvia(2) July 2008
Memuro(1) Tracy, California / U.S.A.
(2) Aug. 1989
Okoppe(1) Stettler, Alberta / Canada(2) June 1990
Ashoro(1) Wetaskiwin, Alberta / Canada(2) Sept. 1990

Sarufutsu(1) Ozersky, Sakhalin State / Russia(2) Dec. 1990
Setana(1) Hanford, California / U.S.A.
(2) Aug. 1991
Shimukappu(1) Aspen, Colorado / U.S.A.
(2) Aug. 1991
Honbetsu(1) Mitchell, Victoria / Australia(2) Sept. 1991
Sobetsu(1) Kemijarvi, Lapland / Finland(2) May 1993
Bifuka(1) Ashcroft, British Columbia / Canada(2) July 1994
Numata(1) Port Hardy, British Columbia / Canada(2) Sept. 1994
Naie(1) Hausjarvi / Finland(2) Apr. 1995
Takasu(1) Gold Coast, Queensland / Australia(2) Nov. 1997
(3) 27°58’ S
Toyokoro(1) Summerland, British Columbia / Canada(2) June 1996
Hiroo
(1) Frogn, Akershus / Norway(2) Oct. 1996
Esashi(1) Solleftea, Vasternorrland / Sweden(2) Nov. 1996
Kiyosato(1) Motueka, Tasman / New Zealand(2) Sept. 1997
Bihoro(1) Cambridge, Waipa / New Zealand(2) Oct. 1997
Nanae
(1) Concord, Massachusetts / U.S.A.
(2) Nov. 1997
Yubetsu(1) Whitecourt, Alberta / Canada(2) July 1998
(1) Selwyn / New Zealand(2) July 2000
Shimokawa(1) Kenora, Ontario / Canada(2) Feb. 2001
Teshikaga(1) Nanqiu, Henan / China(2) Sept. 2005
(1) Sishui, Shandong / China(2) Jan. 2005
(1) Bincheng, Binzhou, Shandong / China(2) Jan. 2005
Kenbuchi(1) Palcamayo, Junin / Peru
(2) July 2011
Tsubetsu(1) Ershui Township, Chanhua /Taiwan(2) Oct. 2012

Consulates
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)

Name
AddressTel
Establishment(1) Consulate-General of the United States of America in Sapporo(2) Kita 1-jo Nishi 28-chome, Chuo-ku, Sapporo 064-0821 Japan
http://sapporo.usconsulate.gov/(3) +81-11-641-1115, +81-11-641-1116, +81-11-641-1117(4) June 1952
(1) Consulate-General of the Republic of Korea in Sapporo(2) Kita 2-jo Nishi 12-chome 1-4, Chuo-ku, Sapporo 060-0002 Japan
http://jpn-sapporo.mofat.go.kr/kor(3) +81-11-218-0288(4) June 1966
(1) Consulate-General of the Russian Federation in Sapporo(2) Minami 14-jo Nishi 12-chome 2-5, Chuo-ku, Sapporo 064-0914 Japan
http://www1.odn.ne.jp/ruscons_sapporo/(3) +81-11-561-3171, +81-11-561-3172(4) Oct. 1967
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)

Office of the Consulate-General in Hakodate
Motomachi 14-1, Hakodate 040-0054 Japan+81-138-24-8201
Sept. 2003

(1) Consulate-General of the People’s Republic of China in Sapporo(2) Minami 13-jo Nishi 23-chome 5-1, Chuo-ku, Sapporo 064-0913 Japan
http://www.chn-consulate-sapporo.or.jp(3) +81-11-563-5563

(4) Sept. 1980
(1) Australian Consulate in Sapporo(2) Sapporo Center Bldg. 17F, Kita 5-jo Nishi 6-chome 2, Chuo-ku, Sapporo 060-0005 Japan
http://business.australia.or.jp/sapporo(3) +81-11-242-4381(4) Dec. 1992
(1) Government of Canada Trade Commissioner Service(2) Nikko Bldg. 5F, Kita 4-jo Nishi 4-chome, Chuo-ku, Sapporo 060-0004 Japan
http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/(3) +81-11-281-6565(4) Dec. 2005

Honorary Consulates
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)

Name
Address
Representative
Establishment(1) Honorary Consulate of the Republic of Indonesia in Sapporo(2) c/o Hokkaido Gas Co., Ltd., Odori-nishi 7-chome 3-1, Chuo-ku, Sapporo 060-0042 Japan
Tel: +81-11-207-2100(3) Honorary Consul: Mr. SASAKI Masatsugu(4) Dec. 1969
(1) Honorary Consulate of Finland in Sapporo(2) c/o Arcs Co., Ltd., Minami 13-jo Nishi 11-chome 2-32, Chuo-ku, Sapporo 064-0913 Japan
Tel: +81-11-530-6012(3) Honorary Consul: Mr. YOKOYAMA Kiyoshi(4) Aug. 1973
(1) Honorary Consulate of the Kingdom of Belgium in Sapporo(2) c/o Royce’ Confect Co., Ltd., Ainosato 4-jo 9-chome 1-1, Kita-ku, Sapporo 002-8074 Japan
Tel: +81-11-778-3642(3) Honorary Consul: Mr. YAMAZAKI Yasuhiro(4) Mar. 1980
(1) Honorary Consulate of the Federal Republic of Germany in Sapporo(2) Odori-higashi 1-chome 2, Chuo-ku, Sapporo 060-0041 Japan
Tel: +81-11-251-1111(3) Honorary Consul: Mr. TAKASHIMA Hideya(4) May 1980
(1) Honorary Consulate of the Republic of the Philippines in Sapporo(2) Kenyu Bldg. 4F, Hachiken 1-jo Nishi 1-chome 2-10, Nishi-ku, Sapporo 063-0841 Japan
Tel: +81-11-614-8090(3) Honorary Consul: Mr. TOBE Kenichi(4) June 1983
(1) Honorary Consulate of the Republic of Chile in Sapporo(2) Kamori Bldg. 3, Kita 4-jo Nishi 4-chome 1, Chuo-ku, Sapporo 060-0004 Japan
Tel: +81-11-232-0639(3) Honorary Consul: Mr. KAMORI Kimihito(4) June 1994
(1) Royal Norwegian Honorary Consulate in Sapporo(2) Prest 1.7, Kita 1-jo Nishi 7-chome 1, Chuo-ku, Sapporo 060-0001 Japan
Tel: +81-11-231-1322(3) Honorary Consul: Mr. YOKOHAMA Yoshihiko

(4) Jan. 1996
(1) Honorary Consulate of Canada in Sapporo(2) c/o Canada Palace, Poseidon Maruyama 2F, Odori-nishi 26-chome 1-3, Chuo-ku, Sapporo 064-0820 Japan
Tel: +81-11-643-2520(3) Honorary Consul: Mr. IHARA Keiji(4) Nov. 1996
(1) Honorary Consulate of Spain in Sapporo(2) c/o Hokkaido (Marketing) Institute of Research Ltd., Sigma Bldg. 9F, Kita 3-jo Nishi 3-chome 1-5, Chuo-ku,
Sapporo 060-0003 Japan
Tel: +81-11-219-7721(3) Honorary Consul: Mr. HORI Tatsuya(4) Jan. 1999
(1) Honorary Consulate of the Republic of Lithuania in Sapporo(2) Odori Fujii Bldg. 2F, Odori-nishi 11-chome 4, Chuo-ku, Sapporo 060-0042 Japan
Tel: +81-11-221-3939(3) Honorary Consul: Mr. FUJII Hidekatsu(4) July 2004
(1) Honorary Consulate of the United Mexican States in Sapporo(2) Hiraoka 9-jo 1-chome 1-6, Kiyota-ku, Sapporo 004-0879 Japan
Tel: +81-11-883-8400(3) Honorary Consul: Mr. HOSHINO Kyosuke(4) Sept. 2006
(1) Honorary Consulate of New Zealand in Sapporo(2) Kita 38-jo Nishi 2-chome 1-26, Kita-ku, Sapporo 001-0038 Japan
Tel: +81-11-802-9272(3) Honorary Consul: Mr. AOKI Masanori(4) Oct. 2006
(1) Honorary Consulate of the Republic of South Africa in Sapporo(2) Sweden Hills West 2-chome 6-9, Tobetsu-cho, Ishikari-gun 061-3777 Japan
Tel: +81-133-26-4646(3) Honorary Consul: Mr. MIYAJI Masaki(4) May 2007
(1) Honorary Consulate of the Kingdom of Cambodia in Sapporo(2) SOC Bldg. 2F, Kita 4-jo Nishi 11-chome, Chuo-ku, Sapporo 060-0004 Japan
Tel: +81-11-231-6547(3) Honorary Consul: Mr. TAKIZAWA Seiroku(4) June 2007

(1) Honorary Consulate of the Republic of Latvia in Asahikawa(2) 7-jodori 13-chome 60-19, Asahikawa 070-0037 Japan
Tel: +81-166-25-5880(3) Honorary Consul: Mr. INOSHITA Yoshikazu(4) Nov. 2007
(1) Honorary Consulate of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Sapporo(2) Shinkawa 4-jo 17-chome 1-32, Kita-ku, Sapporo 001-0924 Japan
Tel: +81-11-222-3381(3) Honorary Consul: Mr. OMOTO Mamoru(4) Feb. 2010

(1) Honorary Consulate of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam in Kushiro(2) Omachi Bldg. 4F, Omachi 1-1-10, Kushiro 085-0847 Japan

Tel: +81-154-44-1040(3) Honorary Consul: Mr. NAKAJIMA Taro
(4) Nov. 2010
(1) Honorary Consulate of the Federated States of Micronesia in Kushiro(2) Situs Bldg. 2F, Tottori-minami 5-chome 12-5, Kushiro 084-0905 Japan
Tel: +81-154-61-5151(3) Honorary Consul: Mr. KURIBAYASHI Nobutsugi(4) Dec. 2010
(1) Honorary Consulate of Sweden in Sapporo(2) c/o Hokkaido Mail Transportation Co., Ltd., Kita 8-jo Higashi 1-chome 2-1, Higashi-ku, Sapporo 060-0908
Japan
Tel: +81-11-731-6133, +81-11-731-6131(3) Honorary Consul: Mr. KATO Kinya(4) Apr. 2011
(1) Honorary Consulate of the Republic of Guatemala in Sapporo(2) c/o Nagoya Tax Accounting Office, Nagoya Bldg., Kita 19-jo Nishi 3-chome, Kita-ku, Sapporo 001-0019
Japan
Tel: +81-11-716-7412, +81-11-716-7494(3) Honorary Consul: Mr. NAGOYA Takao(4) Apr. 2011
(1) Honorary Consulate of the Republic of Austria in Asahikawa(2) c/o Asahikawa Toyopet Co., Ltd., Kamui 8-jo 1-chome 1-27, Asahikawa 070-8018 Japan
Tel: +81-166-60-4545(3) Honorary Consul: Mr. YOSHIDA Yutaka(4) July 2011
(1) Honorary Consulate of Ireland in Sapporo(2) c/o Dimplex Japan, Kita 46-jo Higashi 17-chome 2-23, Higashi-ku, Sapporo 007-0846 Japan
Tel: +81-11-783-8011(3) Honorary Consul: Mr. KASAMA Seiji(4) Nov. 2012
(1) Royal Danish Honorary Consulate in Sapporo(2) c/o Hokkaido Bank, Ltd., Odori Nishi 4-chome 1, Chuo-ku, Sapporo 060-8676 Japan
Tel: +81-11-233-1256(3) Honorary Consul: Mr. SEKIHACHI Yoshihiro(4) Feb. 2013

Embassies(1) Name(2) Address(3) Tel.
(1) Embassy of the Argentine Republic in Japan(2) Moto-Azabu 2-14-14, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-0046 Japan
http://www.embargentina.or.jp/index-jp.html(3) +81-3-5420-7101(1) Embassy of the Federative Republic of Brazil in Japan(2) Kita-Aoyama 2-11-12, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-8633 Japan
http://www.brasemb.or.jp/(3) +81-3-3404-5211(1) Embassy of Canada in Japan(2) Akasaka 7-3-38, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-8503 Japan
http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/japan-japon/(3) +81-3-5412-6200

(1) Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Japan(2) Moto-Azabu 3-4-33, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-0046 Japan
http://www.china-embassy.or.jp/jpn/(3) +81-3-3403-3388(1) Royal Danish Embassy in Japan(2) Sarugaku-cho 29-6, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0033 Japan
http://japan.um.dk/ja.aspx(3) +81-3-3496-3001(1) Embassy of Finland in Japan(2) Minami-Azabu 3-5-39, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-8561 Japan
http://www.finland.or.jp(3) +81-3-5447-6000(1) Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Japan(2) Minami-Azabu 4-5-10, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-0047 Japan
http://www.tokyo.diplo.de/ja/Startseite.html(3) +81-3-5791-7700(1) Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Japan(2) Yotsuya 4-4-10, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0004 Japan
http://jpn-tokyo.mofat.go.kr/jpn/index.jsp(3) +81-3-3452-7611(1) Embassy of Mongolia in Japan(2) Kamiyama-cho 21-4, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0047 Japan
http://www.mn.emb-japan.go.jp/index_j.htm(3) +81-3-3469-2088(1) Royal Norwegian Embassy in Japan(2) Minami-Azabu 5-12-2, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-0047 Japan
http://www.norway.or.jp/(3) +81-3-6408-8100(1) Embassy of the Republic of Paraguay in Japan(2) Ichiban-cho Dai-2 TG Bldg. 7F, Ichiban-cho 2-2, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-0082 Japan
http://www.embapar.jp/(3) +81-3-3265-5271(1) Embassy of the Russian Federation in Japan(2) Azabudai 2-1-1, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-0041 Japan
http://www.russia-emb.jp/(3) +81-3-3583-4224(1) Embassy of Sweden in Japan(2) Roppongi 1-10-3-100, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-0032 Japan
http://www.swedenabroad.com/tokyoambjp(3) +81-3-5562-5050(1) Her Britannic Majesty's Embassy in Japan(2) Ichiban-cho 1, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-8381 Japan
http://ukinjapan.fco.gov.uk/ja/(3) +81-3-5211-1100(1) Embassy of the United States of America in Japan(2) Akasaka 1-10-5, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-8420 Japan
http://japanese.japan.usembassy.gov/(3) +81-3-3224-5000(1) Delegation of the European Union

(2) Europe House, Sanban-cho 9-15, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-0075 Japan
http://www.euinjapan.jp/(3) +81-3-3239-0441
As of March 31, 2014

Keio Plaza
Hotel Sapporo

Century Royal
Hotel

Polestar
Sapporo Mainichi

Asty 45

JR Sapporo
StationYomiuri
ShimbunNewspaper

Kita 4-jo

Nishi 7-chome

Hokkaido International
Exchange and Cooperation Hokkaido
Pref.
CenterNihonseimei
SapporoBuilding

SuisanBuilding

FormerHokkaido
Gov. Office.
Building

Hokkaido
Gov. Bldg.

Hokkaido University
Botanic Garden

Sapporo Center
Building

Daimaru

Police Hq.

Sapporo Garden
PalaceSapporo GrandHotel2014 Annual Report
Date of issue: July 2014
Publication/compilation:
Hokkaido International Exchange and Cooperation Center (HIECC)(Former Northern Regions Center)
Print: Asahi Print Co., Ltd.

Hokkaido International Exchange and Cooperation Center(HIECC)(Former Northern Regions Center)
Hokkaido Govt. Annex Bldg. 12F,West 7 North 3, Chuo-ku, Sapporo Hokkaido, Japan 060-0003
Phone: +81(11)221-7840
Facsimile: +81(11)221-7845
URL: http://www.hiecc.or.jp E-mail: hiecc@hiecc.or.jp