Hokkaido International Exchange and Cooperation Center

2017
Annual Report

Hokkaido International Exchange and Cooperation Center(HIECC)

Contents
History of HIECC
Organization
Advisors and executive officers(FY 2016 Business 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(4) Holding of regular international exchange lectures
2. Collection and provision of international information(1) Research study and collection of resource materials(2) International information network system(3) Publication of the quarterly magazine “Hoppoken” Vol. 176 (Summer) – Vol. 179 (Spring)
3. Overseas training(1) Overseas training projects(2) Project for high school students to build bridges in the world
4. Promotion of multiculturalism(1) Collaboration with Multicultural Network Promotion Council members(2) Initiatives to promote multicultural communities(3) Hokkaido Multicultural Award commendation program
Promotion of International Exchanges
1. Implementation of exchange programs with other countries(1) Visit to China(2) Hosting of a group visiting Hokkaido from overseas (South America exchanges)(3) Japan-South Korea sports exchange program(4) Hosting of a group of Korean university students who visited Japan(5) Dispatch of a group of young people from Hokkaido to China(6) International exchanges during Culture Night 2016
2. Promotion of activities to make international students feel welcome(1) Provision of support for international students(2) Promotion of universities in Hokkaido(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
Grants-in-aid based on international exchange program assets
5. Exchanges with regional organizations(1) Convening regional meetings on international exchanges(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 training projects(2) Implementation of the JICA Partnership Program
2. Hosting of trainees from overseas
Hosting of overseas technical trainees (South America exchange)
3. Collection and provision of information on international cooperation
Publication of the “Deai” information magazine on international cooperation
Materials
FY 2016 Foreign Visitors to HIECCInternational Sister/Friendship Partners with Municipalities in Hokkaido
Consulates
Embassies

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.
Apr. 1971:
Jan. 1972:
Apr. 1978:
Apr. 1996:
Mar. 1998:
Apr. 1998:
Jul. 2004:
Jul. 2006:
Apr. 2010:
Aug. 2011:

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 625 corporate and individual members as ofMarch 31, 2017.
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 19, 2017)
Advisors
Hideto Kon
Harumi Takahashi
Ren Endo
Hideyoshi Kikuya
Takao Tanano
Yoshiro Ito

Executive officers
President
Toshio Sato
Vice Presidents
Yoshihiro Sekihachi
Kazuko Nakata
Tsuneo Fujita
Vice President and SeniorDirector
Masahiro Echizen
Directors
Tenei Abe
Mitsuo Iguchi
Yoshikazu Inoshita
Susumu Egashira
Masanori Kasahara
Yoshinori Kato
Megumi Kawabata
Akihiro Kikushima
Hiroaki Kitano
Ryu Shibata
Taku Sugimoto
Miho Suzuki
Hideo Seo
Seiroku Takizawa
Tatsumi Tanimoto
Minoru Toizumi
Toyoaki Negishi
Kazuo Horiuchi
Masanori Matsui
Noriyoshi Murakami
Masaaki Yoshizawa
Rika Yoshino
Takashi Watanabe
Auditors
Keiichi Ueda
Kazuhiko Sakamoto

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 Chairman, Sapporo University
Chairman, Hokkaido Bank, Ltd.
President, Hokkaido Federation of Women’s Organizations
President, Hokkaido Canada Society

President, Hokkaido Cultural Organization Council

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

Ueda Keiichi Certified Public Accountant OfficeSenior Director, Hokkaido Sports Association

FY 2016 Business Outline
Holding of Board of Directors and Ordinary General Assembly Meetings
FY 2016 Business Outline
Convening Board of Directors and Ordinary General Assembly Meetings
1. 1st Board of Directors meeting, FY 2016: May 23 (Mon.), 2016; Hotel Sapporo Garden Palace
Proceedings○ Approval of the FY 2015 business report and financial statements as submitted, adoption of a resolution callingfor an ordinary General Assembly meeting on June 20
2. Ordinary General Assembly meeting, FY 2016: June 20 (Mon), 2016; Hotel Polestar Sapporo
Proceedings○ Approval of the FY 2015 business report and financial statements as submitted○ Approval of the FY 2016 business plan and budget as submitted○ Appointment of directors and auditors (29 directors and 2 audits)
New directors:
Susumu EgashiraVice President, Otaru University of Commerce
Yoshinori KatoManaging Director, The Hokkaido Shimbun Press Co., Ltd.
Akihiro Kikushima
President, Hokkaido Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry
Masahiro Mori
Senior Managing Director, Hokkaido Economic Federation
Rika Yoshino
Director, Hokkaido Branch, The Mainichi Newspapers Co., Ltd.
Hidehiro Wakabayashi Executive Director and Vice President, Sapporo International Communication Plaza
Foundation
New auditor:
Keiichi Ueda
Ueda Keiichi Certified Public Accountant Office
3. 2nd Board of Directors meeting, FY 2016: June 20 (Mon.), 2016; Hotel Polestar Sapporo
Proceedings○ Appointment of the president, vice presidents and senior director
4. 3rd Board of Directors meeting, FY 2016: March 23 (Thu.), 2017; Hotel Sapporo Garden Palace
Proceedings○ Report on programs implemented in FY 2016
○ Approval of the FY 2017 business plan and budget as submitted○ Approval of discretionary disposition regarding budget amendments as submitted○ Approval of delegation of the position of an advisor
New advisor:
Hideto Kon
Director-general, Hokkaido Regional Development Bureau

Promotion of International Mutual Understanding
1. Lectures and symposiums(1) Convening a lecture on international understanding
A seminar was held to promote international understanding among HIECC members and Hokkaido residents.
○ FY 2016 seminar to promote international understanding
June 30 (Thu.), Sapporo Education and Culture Hall
Lecture:Theme: Food and Halal Certification in Islam
Lecturer: Ahmad Maeno, Head of the Islamic Circle of Japan
Mr. Ahmad Maeno(2) Convening northern regions seminars
In collaboration with other organizations, lectures were organized to raise awareness of accumulated knowledge
and experience concerning the industrial economy and lifestyles of northern countries, and to exchange
information on regional development.
1st Seminar: January 27 (Fri.), Hotel Monterey Edelhof Sapporo
Lecture:Theme: Learning from Sweden – Revitalization of Urban Areas in Small/Middle-sized Cities in Hokkaido
Lecturer: Masanao Meguro, Bidding Inspector, Hokkaido Regional Development Bureau, Ministry of Land,
Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (former First Secretary at the Embassy of Japan in Sweden)
Short concert on the theme of “Traditional Swedish music and circumstances
surrounding music”:
Songs and commentary: Miki Noma (accompaniment: Yuki Noma)
Co-host: Hokkaido Sweden Society
2nd Seminar: February 24 (Fri.), Kaderu 2.7
Lecture:Theme: Bridge of Friendship between Japan and Russia – Half-Century Historyof the Consulate-General of the Russian Federation in Sapporo
Lecturer: Andrey Fabrichnikov, Consul General of the Russian Federation in Sapporo
Co-host: Hokkaido Japan-Russia Association

Short concert(3) Convening international symposiums and seminars
As the North Pacific Region Advanced Research Project, symposiums and seminars on important themes related
to politics, economy and diplomacy in Northeast Asia were organized, and overseas researchers and otherconcerned people were invited as guests.
1) North Pacific Arctic Research Community Seminar
July 5 (Tue.), Hokkaido University Centennial Hall
Theme: Sustainable Use of the Arctic
Organizer: North Pacific Arctic Research Community (NPARC) (Local secretariat: Cold Region Port and Harbor
Engineering Research Center)Co-hosts: Arctic Research Center of Hokkaido University (ARC), The Overseas Coastal Area Development
Institute of Japan (OCDI)
2) 6th Hokkaido International Symposium on Northeast Asia
March 3 (Fri.), Keio Plaza Hotel Sapporo
Theme: Dawning of a New Age for Japan and Russia – Considering a Future Outlook
Panel discussion:
・Akihiro Iwashita, Professor, Hokkaido University Slavic-Eurasian
Research Center (facilitator)
・Yukiko Kuroiwa, Professor, Iwate Prefectural University
・Daisuke Saito, Deputy Director General, Institute for Russian & NIS
Economic Studies, Japan Association for Trade with Russia & NIS
・Hiroaki Honma, journalist, News Department (Nemuro), Hokkaido
Branch, The Mainichi Newspapers Co., Ltd.
・Yoshihiro Takada, Senior Researcher and Director of the North PacificRegion Advanced Research Office, HIECC

Symposium

3) Russian business seminars(i) Russian Business Seminar 2016
May 17 (Tue.), Hokkaido University Centennial Hall
Main theme: Prospects on the Russian Economy and New Economic Policy for the Russian Far East –Exploration of How Japan and Hokkaido Should Respond
Keynote speeches:(1) Russian Economy in 2015 and its Prospects for 2016
Shinichiro Tabata, professor and Director of Hokkaido University Slavic-Eurasian Research Center(2) New Russian Far East Policy of the administration of Vladimir Putin
Daisuke Saito, Deputy Director General, Institute for Russian & NIS Economic Studies, Japan Association for
Trade with Russia & NIS
Round-table session:
Commentators:
The above-mentioned keynote speakers
Yury Altukhov, Consul, Consulate-General of the Russian Federation in Sapporo
Kiichi Mochizuki, Professor Emeritus, Hokkaido University
Co-hosts: The Association for the Inter-Regional Study Between Japan-Russia and Hokkaido-Russian Far East,
Hokkaido University Slavic-Eurasian Research Center(ii) Russian Business Seminar – Fast-evolving Japan-Russia Business
Development: The Possibilities and Future Prospects
October 31 (Mon.), New Otani Inn Sapporo
Lectures:(1) Tsutomu Nakagawa, Director-General for Trade Policy, Ministry of Economy,
Trade and Industry(2) Tetsuya Umetsu, Director, Overseas Research Department, Japan External
Trade Organization (JETRO)
Seminar at(3) Yukio Tenma, General Director, Hokkaido Corporation
Hokkaido University
Reports:
Koji Hattori, Nissin Corporation; Katsumi Fujishima, International Affairs Division, Hokkaido Government;
othersOrganizer: Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) Hokkaido
Co-hosts: METI Hokkaido, Hokkaido Government(iii) Seminar on the Economy of the Russian Far East and the Baikal Region
March 10 (Fri.), Hotel Polestar Sapporo
Lectures:(1) Eastward Shift of Russia and Eastern Economy
Olga Prokapalo, Director, Economic Research Institute, Far Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences
Dr. Pavel Minakir, Economic Research Institute, Far Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences(2) Economic Situation of Irkutsk Oblast and the Baikal Region
Dr. Natalia Sysoyeva, Irkutsk Research Center, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences
Organizer: Japan Association for Trade with Russia & NIS

2. Collection and provision of international information(1) Research study and collection of resource materials
1) Research study on economic exchanges with Mongolia(i) Hokkaido-Mongolia Economic Exchange Promotion Research Committee Project
HIECC participated in the Mongolia-Hokkaido Investment Forum held in Ulaanbaatar (on September 20) by the
Hokkaido-Mongolia Economic Exchange Promotion Research Committee (Secretariat: Honorary Consulate ofMongolia in Sapporo). It also attended seminars and business meetings held in Sapporo (on February 6 and 7,2017) with the participation of Mongolian corporate members of the Committee.
(ii) Feasibility study on Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM) projects under inter-city collaboration in Mongolia
Along with the Hokkaido Government, Sapporo City Government and private businesses in Hokkaido, HIECC
participated in the FY2016 Feasibility Study on the Development of JCM Projects under City-to-City
Collaboration for Realizing a Low-Carbon Society in Mongolia implemented by the Overseas Environmental
Cooperation Center, Japan, (commissioned by the Ministry of the Environment of Japan). It organized workshops
in Ulaanbaatar (October 27) and Sapporo (January 20) and engaged in other related activities.
(iii) Study on business environment in Mongolia
At the request of METI Hokkaido, HIECC conducted a basic study regarding the political and economic situationof Mongolia and the willingness of Hokkaido companies to enter Mongolian markets to promote economic
exchanges with Mongolia.
2) Border studies
HIECC took part in border tourism studies by Hokkaido University Slavic-Eurasian Research Center, engaging ina survey of tourist resources along the 50th parallel North in Sakhalin Oblast and studying measures to promoteborder tourism.
3) Study on business environment in the Siberian region (Novosibirsk) of Russia
HIECC participated in a study conducted in Novosibirsk by METI Hokkaido, assessing the feasibility of new
business ventures to introduce technologies and products designed for cold regions in the Siberian region.
(2) International information network system
Using the Internet, HIECC collected, accumulated and widely transmitted information on international exchanges
and other activities to Hokkaido residents. Facebook was also used to provide timely information on the schedules
and results of HIECC and other projects.
(3) Publication of the quarterly magazine “Hoppoken” Vol. 176 (Summer) – Vol. 179 (Spring)
To provide information related to international exchanges and the promotion of international understanding,
HIECC published its quarterly magazine for its members and Hokkaido residents. A total of 1,500 copies of eachissue were published.

3. Overseas training(1) Overseas training project (youth exchange program with Heilongjiang Province)
HIECC dispatched six young people from various parts of Hokkaido to China to foster personnel capable ofcontributing to regional development with an international perspective by learning about regional circumstances
overseas, going on tours of inspection to related organizations and having opinion exchanges with local students.
The destinations included Heilongjiang Province, which marked the 30th anniversary of friendship with
Hokkaido.
Dispatch period: November 16 (Wed.) – 23 (Wed.)
Destinations: China (Harbin, Shanghai, Beijing)
Participants: 6 young people in Hokkaido

Exchanges with students at Northeast
Visit to the China-Japan Friendship
Forestry University (Harbin)
Association (Beijing)(2) Project for high school students to build bridges in the world
1) Project for high school students to build bridges in Asia
HIECC dispatched high school students from Hokkaido to a developing country for training that would encouragethem to consider global issues such as wealth disparities and environmental problems as their own problems. After
returning to Japan, these students visited junior high and high schools in Hokkaido to share their experiences withother students. This project is intended to foster individuals who can actively collaborate with other people andsociety.
Dispatch period: July 31 (Sun.) – August 7 (Sun.)
Destination: Philippines
Participants: 10 high school students
Miscellaneous: 2 preliminary training sessions, 2 follow-up training sessions, 7 briefing sessions (for schools andHokkaido residents)

Exchanges with children at a special
needs school in Cebu City

Briefing session for Hokkaido residents
in March2) Jeju Youth Forum 2016
HIECC dispatched seven high school students from Hokkaido to the
7th Jeju Youth Forum, which was held on Jeju Island, South Korea,
giving them the opportunity to exchange opinions on global social
problems with young people from other countries through panel
discussions and cultural experiences. The forum drew a total of 148
people from 22 regions in eight countries. HIECC also provided a
total of seven training sessions for the students before and after they
were dispatched, as well as one briefing session for Hokkaido
residents.
Dispatch period: November 3 (Thu.) – 7 (Mon.)
Panel discussion of participatinghigh school students

4. Promotion of multiculturalism(1) Collaboration with Multicultural Network Promotion Council
members
Based on investigations and discussions at the Hokkaido Multicultural
Regional Development Promotion Council, HIECC worked with
Multicultural Network Promotion Council members to further build
networks by implementing various projects to realize multicultural
coexistence in Hokkaido. Those projects are outlined below.
1) Project to promote disaster management education and training forforeigners living in Hokkaido
In collaboration with the Muroran Institute of Technology, HIECC
trained international students in Muroran in the fundamentals ofearthquakes and other natural disasters, as well as techniques for
obtaining the necessary information and the actions to take in times ofdisaster.
February 18 (Sat.), Muroran; participants: 24 international students2) Multiculturalism 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
toward the realization of a multicultural society in which Hokkaido
residents of all nationalities can contribute to regional development andrevitalization as members of local communities.
December 9 (Fri.), Asahikawa (co-host: Asahikawa International
Committee)
Theme: Promotion of Inbound Tourism and Multiculturalism – Creating
an Environment that is also Friendly to Foreigners
Lecturer: Taro Tamura, Representative Director, Multicultural Center
Osaka

International students undergoing training in
cardiopulmonary resuscitation (Muroran)

Lecture by Mr. Taro Tamura

3) Multicultural coordinator seminar
HIECC held a seminar for people involved in the realization of amulticultural society in Hokkaido and future regional development.
October 24, Asahikawa; co-host: Hokkaido International Foundation
Lecturer: Makoto Ikeda, Secretary-General, Hokkaido International
Foundation
4) Information session on the recruitment of multilingual supporters intimes of disasterMarch 5 (Sun.), Kushiro; co-host: Kushiro International Friendship
Association
Participants: 24(2) Initiatives to promote multicultural communities
HIECC hosted various events with the aim of further promoting
multicultural harmony in communities in various areas of Hokkaido.
1) Evacuation drill in the event of a nuclear emergency for foreign
tourists
On the occasion of the nuclear emergency response exercise hosted by
the Hokkaido Government, HIECC also held a drill to evacuate foreign
tourists promptly after a nuclear accident.
November 14 (Mon.), Yoichi
Participants (foreigners): 21
2) Multicultural workshop
Eleven years after the announcement of the Multicultural Coexistence
Promotion Plan by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications,
HIECC, in conjunction with the Sapporo International Communication
Plaza Foundation and other organizations, held a workshop to look backon their past activities and discuss future initiatives.

Participants in a shelter-operating
game (HUG)

Foreigners evacuate according to
the instructions of guides.

December 10 (Sat.), Sapporo
Participants: 263) World cooking classes
In collaboration with other organizations, HIECC held cooking classes for Hokkaido residents of all nationalities
to explore the cuisine of two countries for the purpose of helping them deepen their mutual understanding by
experiencing the traditions and food cultures of these countries through their cuisine.
October 27 (Thu.), Asahikawa; co-host: Ryabina Japan-Russia Cultural Exchange Association
February 19 (Sun.), Sapporo; co-host: Hokkaido Finland Society4) Registration and dispatch of international exchange volunteers
HIECC recruited and registered volunteers who cooperate with international exchange programs and dispatchedthem to support regional activities and programs by exchange groups.
● Number of registered people: 42 (as of March 31)● Number of occasions when volunteers were dispatched: 15) Registration of multilingual supporters in times of disaster in Hokkaido
Number of registered supporters: 436) Support Desk for Foreigners
7) Registration of everyday goods for support of international students
HIECC registered everyday goods donated by the public to be supplied to international students throughuniversities.
● Number of registered items: 4 (as of March 31)(3) Hokkaido Multicultural Award commendation program
With the aim of creating a society in which Hokkaido residents of all nationalities can contribute to regional
development and revitalization, HIECC established the Hokkaido Multicultural Award to recognize organizations
engaged in outstanding activities in personnel training, living environment improvement, disaster prevention,
education, regional development and other fields. In the first year, two organizations received the award.
Two organizations selected for Excellence awards:
NPO S-nico (Sapporo)
Ryugakusei Friendship (Muroran)Awards ceremony: January 18 (Wed.), Sapporo Prince Hotel

Diplomas are presented to the representatives of the two awardee organizations.

Promotion of International Exchanges
1. Implementation of exchange programs with other countries(1) Visit to China
To celebrate the 30th anniversary of the friendship agreement between Hokkaido and Heilongjiang Province,
HIECC dispatched a delegation consisting of HIECC officials and young people from Hokkaido to attend
commemorative events with members of delegations from the Hokkaido Government and Hokkaido Prefectural
Assembly.
The ceremony to mark the 30th anniversary of the friendship agreement between Hokkaido and Heilongjiang
Province, and other commemorative events
November 17 (Thu.) – 18 (Fri.), Harbin(2) Hosting of a group visiting Hokkaido from overseas(South America exchanges)
HIECC hosted a visiting group of six people who are thedescendants of emigrants from Hokkaido to Argentina topromote their understanding of Hokkaido, their ancestors’ land,
and to deepen friendship through interaction with Hokkaido
residents and a tour of the region.
Host period: January 31 (Tue.) – February 7 (Tue.)
Places visited: Sapporo, Kitahiroshima and other places

The members tour The Hokkaido Shimbun
Press printing plant in Sapporo(3) Japan-South Korea sports exchange program
To promote specific exchanges and cooperation between Hokkaido and South Korea, HIECC dispatched adelegation to South Gyeongsang Province in South Korea to promote “mini volley,” a unique sport that originatedin Hokkaido. In FY 2016, it also implemented a Mini Volley Youth Exchange Program for university students in
Hokkaido and South Gyeongsang Province to mark the 10th anniversary of the signing of a memorandum ofintent on exchanges between the two regions.
Dispatch period: August 30 (Tue.) – September 2 (Fri.)
Number of delegation members: 21 (from HIECC, Hokkaido Mini Volley Association and other organizations)
Places visited: Geoje and Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province

Mini volley friendly match (Geoje)

Participants from Japan and South Korea after afriendly match (Changwon)(4) Hosting of a group of Korean university students who visited Japan
As part of Japan’s Friendship Ties Programs (JENESYS 2016), HIECC collaborated with the Hokkaido
Government and other organizations to host a group of Korean university students who visited Japan through aregional program organized by the Japan-Korea Cultural Foundation, providing opportunities for homestay,interactions with local students and a tour to local companies as well as hands-on experience of Japanese culture(including “Soran Bushi” Hokkaido folk dance).
Host period (in Hokkaido): February 3 (Fri.) – 8 (Wed.)
Number of youth delegation members from South Korea: 78 (including 68 students)

Interactions between university students fromJapan and South Korea

Hands-on experience of Soran Bushi folk dance(5) Dispatch of a group of young people from Hokkaido to China
At the invitation of the Chinese government (Consulate-General of the People’s Republic of China in Sapporo),young people from Hokkaido visited China to deepen their understanding of the country through interactions withlocal high school and university students, a tour to historical and cultural facilities and hands-on experiences.
Dispatch period: August 6 (Sat.) – 14 (Sun.)
Destinations: Harbin, Xi’an, Shanghai and Beijing
Participants: 13 high school students and three university student leaders

In front of Saint Sophia Cathedral(Harbin)Japanese students make apresentation about Hokkaido.
(Xi’an)(6) International exchanges during Culture Night
2016
HIECC participated in Culture Night, an event during which
cultural facilities are opened to the public at night andcompanies and government bodies work together to give
Hokkaido residents the opportunity to enjoy local culture. To
introduce the activities of HIECC, it provided an opportunity
for local people to interact with foreigners through “Let’s
experience games from around the world!” and otherprograms.
July 22 (Fri.), HIECC Special Conference Room andelsewhere
Number of visitors: 81

World Café (held with the theme, “Let’s talkwith international students!”)

2. Promotion of activities to make international students feel welcome(1) Provision of support for international students
To help increase the number of international students at universities in Hokkaido, HIECC provided grant aid forinternational students, and registered the recipients as international supporters to facilitate their participation inregional 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 universities in Hokkaido
To help increase the number of international students, HIECC promoted universities in Hokkaido to overseas
students, universities and related organizations.
1) Operation of the promotion website (in English, Chinese and Korean)
2) Publication and distribution of guidebooks for studying in Hokkaido

Top page (http://study-hokkaido.com)

Guidebook for studying in Hokkaido

3) Promotion at the Study in Japan FairHIECC participated in the Study in Japan Fair held in two Vietnamese cities by the Japan Student Services
Organization to promote universities in Hokkaido to students and educators, and to distribute brochures about
Hokkaido and universities in Hokkaido.
October 15 (Sat.), Hanoi venue; number of visitors to the HIECC booth: approx. 150
October 16 (Sun.), Ho Chi Minh venue; number of visitors to the HIECC booth: approx. 120

Study in Japan Fair Hanoi venue

PR of Hokkaido universities topeople visiting the HIECC booth4) Publication of e-mail newsletters to international students who had returned home
For international students who had returned home from Hokkaido, HIECC published the e-mail newsletter Newsfor Ryugakusei Supporters, which is issued three times a year, to further promote their understanding of Hokkaido
through the provision of various kinds of up-to-date information on Hokkaido, including job opportunities.

(3) Implementation of regional exchanges with international students
HIECC invited 18 international students from seven countries who study at universities in Hokkaido to
Shimokawa Town in northern Hokkaido, where they interacted with local people through the human centipederace and other events at the 13th Shimokawa Udon Festival. The students also learned about the town’s
environmental initiatives toward the creation of a low-carbon society.
Hokkaido Foreign Student Exchanges in Shimokawa (subsidized by the Nakajima Foundation)
August 28 (Sun.) – 29 (Mon.)

With Mayor
KazuyukiTani ofTani
ShimokawaWith Mayor
KazuyukiofShimokawaStudents are briefed about charcoal
made from Japanese larch

3. Support for emigrants(1) Hosting of international students (South America exchanges)
HIECC hosted an international student from an association representing people who had emigrated from
Hokkaido to Brazil and provided training for study and specialized skill development, fostering his ability to act
as a bridge or link between Hokkaido and his country.
(2) Support for activities by associations representing people who had emigrated from Hokkaido (SouthAmerica exchanges)
HIECC supported the operation of associations representing people who had emigrated from Hokkaido and theiractivities to provide information to emigrants○ Associação Hokkaido de Cultura e Assistência (Hokkaido Association of Culture and Assistance)○ 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
Grants-in-aid based on international exchange program assets
HIECC provided a total of 1.85 million yen for 10 programs (culture: 6, exchange: 2, education: 2, event: 2) byinternational exchange bodies using management gains from international exchange program assets to promoteexchanges with various regions of the world and to contribute to the development of living conditions, culture andthe industrial economy of Hokkaido.
FY 2016 Grants-in-aid from the international exchange fundTarget for grants-in-aid
AmountPlace
Time(¥1,000)
Program name
Organizer

Seoul Friendship
Fair Cultural
Performance

Sibelius at the(Dining) Table –An opportunity
to enjoy Jean
Sibelius pieces(NPO)
Kobushiza Folk
Performing Arts
Company

The Sibelius
Society of Japan
Hokkaido
Branch

100

Seoul

May

200

SapporoMay

Objectives and descriptions
As the representatives of Hokkaido,
Kobushiza members participated in the
Seoul Friendship Fair hosted by theSeoul Metropolitan Government,
introducing traditional Japanese culture
and contributing to the improvement of
the performing skills of Japanese andSouth Korean artists and thedevelopment of friendly relations
between the two regions.
In celebration of the 150th anniversaryof the birth of world-famous Finnish
composer Jean Sibelius, a soprano singer
was invited from Finland to participate
in master class lessons and a concert asand Finnish food

NPG Canada
CulturalExchange
Project

Geimori StudioMusic Exchange
Committee

100

TorontoJun.

Sapporo Art
ParkInternational
Youth JazzCamp

Sapporo Cultural
Arts Foundation

200

Sapporo

Jul.
Aug.

Japan-Canada
International
Hockey Program

Japan-Canada
Ice Hockey
International
Exchange
Executive
Committee

150

KushiroJul.

Hokkaido-Russia
Far East
Exchange
Program

Hokkaido-Russia
Far East
Exchange
Program
Executive
Committee

500

SapporoJul. –Sept.

The 6th Finland
One Day
University 2016

Hokkaido
Finland Society

200

Sapporo

Nov.

International
Cooperation
Festa 2016

Hokkaido NGO
Network Council

100

SapporoDec.

well as an exchange party featuring
Sibelius music and Finnish cuisine.
Since the winning group of the contest at
the Sapporo City Jazz event was entitledto perform at the Toronto Jazz Festival,
as in the previous year, the group’s
members interacted through music withhigh school and university students inToronto through homestay and school
visit programs.
In celebration of the 30th anniversary of
Sapporo Art Park’s opening, about 230
elementary and junior high school
students, including those from jazz
schools in various areas of Hokkaido,
Norway and five other overseas
countries, gathered for music exchanges.
They formed 11 to 13 junior jazz bands
that performed in various locations.
A hockey team from Canada and highschool hockey teams from Kushiro
competed in friendly games anddeepened exchanges through homestay
experiences and get-togethers. The
Canadian hockey team members also
engaged in exchanges at a grass-roots
level through their participation in theKushiro Fog Festival and hands-on
experiences in Japanese culture,including seated Zen meditation and a
Shinto ritual.
(1) The 18th Ship of Experience andFriendship for YouthThe Hokkaido side hosted 43 young
people from Sakhalin and organizedcultural exchange and outdoor activity
programs for young people from bothregions to engage in while sharing board
and room.
(2) The 11th Citizens’ Exchange
Conference
Sister cities/municipalities, friendship
organizations and other bodies in
Hokkaido and Sakhalin Oblast gathered
to exchange opinions on the theme of
tourism exchanges between the tworegions.
To mark the 40th anniversary of the
Hokkaido Finland Society’s foundation,a Finland One Day University event washeld for Hokkaido residents to promotemutual understanding between Hokkaido
and Finland through a keynote speechand seminar about the history, culture
and day-to-day lives of Finnish people.
NGOs in Hokkaido collaborated to holda panel exhibition about international
cooperation and set up booths tointroduce their activities. Stage
performances and talk shows were also
held to provide information about
international cooperation to the public.

Singapore StudyTour

Takikawa
International
Exchange
Association

100

Singapore

Oct.

Children of theWorld Festival
2016

The Children of
the World
Committee

200

Hakodate

Feb.

Total: 10 programs

A study tour to Singapore was organized
to foster personnel capable of promoting
multiculturalism, giving participants
first-hand experience of the multiethnic
makeup of that country and its status of
economic development to understanddifferent cultures from their own andbroaden their international perspectives.
The participants visited the International
University of Singapore for exchanges
with young people.
In this event to build the next generationof leaders for internationalization, youth
dance groups invited from Russia and
Sri Lanka built relations with children
from Hakodate through such activities asstage performance workshops led by thedance groups and chorus, Japanese drum
and puppet show performances by the
local children.

1,850

5. Exchanges with regional organizations(1) Convening regional meetings on international exchanges
To strengthen collaboration with municipalities and regional
international exchange organizations, HIECC held regional meetings
on international exchanges with concerned people in various parts of
Hokkaido to exchange information and opinions about collaborationin future activities.
1) July 25 (Mon.), Rumoi
2) October 6 (Thu.), Kutchan
3) December 8 (Thu.), Iwamizawa
4) December 14 (Wed.), Sapporo- To share basic information on multiculturalism, lectures on
multiculturalism were also held in central Hokkaido.

Meeting in Rumoi(2) Promotion of executive committee projects
HIECC participated in the executive committees of international exchange programs jointly held by the relevantorganizations and groups, and cooperated with the implementation of these programs.
1) Hokkaido-Russia Far East Exchange Program
To deepen friendship between Hokkaido and Sakhalin, HIECC participated in the executive committees of the
Citizens’ Exchange Conference and the Wings of Experience and Friendship for Youth to assist with the smooth
implementation of the programs.
○ Citizens’ Exchange Conference (November 11 (Fri.), Sapporo)
Theme: Toward the Development of Tourism Exchanges between Hokkaido and Sakhalin○ Wings of Experience and Friendship for Youth (July 27 (Wed.) – August 3 (Wed.), Sapporo and other cities)2) The 39th Sapporo International Night (co-hosted since FY
2012)
International students and Japanese university/high school
students held group discussions on the theme, “Let’s discuss
the current affairs of the world!,” and attended an exchange
party.
December 11 (Sun.), Keio Plaza Hotel Sapporo/Kaderu 2.7;
participants: 326 people from 35 countries
Part 1: Group discussions (themes shown below)
A. Japan and the Japanese people as viewed from the world
B. Educational inequality in Sapporo
C. Toward a society free of bullying
Discussion by students (Kaderu 2.7)
D. Family affairs in the world
E. Let’s think about work-life balance.

F. Trending cultures in the world
G. For the elimination of the misery of war
Part 2: Exchange party
Following the organizer’s speech, students shared the results of their discussions, and at the end of the party, allparticipants joined in a chorus of pop songs and the popular “Pen-Pineapple-Apple-Pen” (PPAP) song, 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 to promote exchanges in economic, educational, cultural and other various fields
between Hokkaido and overseas countries. The organization has also worked to build connections between
Hokkaido residents and foreign consular offices.
- Corps members: 6 consulate-generals and similar offices, 20 honorary consulates, 4 supporting members (as ofMar. 31, 2017)(Activity outline)
1) General meeting
The general meeting was attended by 17 people, including Ronald
Green, the Chairman of the Corps and Australian Consul in
Sapporo, and other consuls/consul-generals as well as 11 honoraryconsuls, to discuss business plans among other items on theagenda.
2) School visit projectConsul-generals and other staff of consulate-generals visited
junior high schools and high schools in Hokkaido, where they
General meeting at Sapporo Prince Hotelpresented outlines of their countries’ culture and the work of
consulate-generals to broaden students’ global insight and deepen an understanding of different cultures.
◎ School visits
i. Sapporo Odori High School: Consulate-General of the Republic of Korea in Sapporo (Aug. 29 (Fri.))ii. Sapporo Shirakabadai Elementary School: Consulate-General of the United States of America in Sapporo (Sept.
30 (Fri.))iii. Motomuroran Junior High School (in Muroran): Australian Consulate in Sapporo (Oct. 7 (Fri.))iv. Sapporo Kiyota High School: All consulates/consulate-generals (Oct. 21 (Fri.) and 28 (Fri.))v. Sapporo Minamigaoka Junior High School: Consulate-General of the Russian Federation in Sapporo,
Consulate-General of the People’s Republic of China in Sapporo, Australian Consulate in Sapporo (Nov. 30(Wed.))
3) International Week
To promote greater visibility or the presence of consulate-generals and similar offices that directly represent
foreign countries in Hokkaido, promotional displays, performances and other events were held to introduce theeconomic situations and cultures of these countries. More than 10,800 people from Hokkaido participated in theevents.
◎ Promotional displays
Period: November 28 (Mon.) – 30 (Wed.)
Venue: Kita 3-jo Square, Sapporo Ekimae-dori Underground Walkway
Participants: consulate-generals and similar offices (6 countries), honorary consulates (13 countries)◎ Performances to introduce culture
Period: November 28 (Mon.) – 30 (Wed.)
Venue: Kita 3-jo Square, Sapporo Ekimae-dori Underground Walkway
Participants: consulate-generals and similar offices (9 countries)

Opening ceremony

Local residents visit exhibitionbooths of different countries.

Performance to introduce thecountry’s culture4) New Year’s party
A New Year’s party was attended by consul-generals and honorary consuls of foreign consular offices as membersof the Corps, the Hokkaido Governor, the Director-General of METI Hokkaido and other government officials,
the Chairman of the Hokkaido Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry and other representatives fromthe business community of Hokkaido, universities and the media as well as representatives from international
exchange and cooperation bodies.
January 18 (Wed.), International Convention Center Pamir, Sapporo Prince Hotel
Organizer: Hokkaido Consular and Foreign Trade Corps
Participants: 78 people (from local governments, international exchange/cooperation bodies, economic groups,
news organizations, others)

Seiji Ubukata, Deputy Chairman of theCorps, speaks on behalf of the organizer.

Yasuhiro Tsuji, Vice Governor of
Hokkaido, speaks as a guest.

Promotion of International Cooperation
1. Participation in the training projects of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)(1) Implementation of training projects
HIECC was entrusted to coordinate six training courses by JICA
Hokkaido International Center (Sapporo).
1) Issue-specific training, “Comprehensive Engineering on Water Supply
Systems (B)”
(Host period: June 6 (Mon.) – August 19 (Fri.))

Trainees learn how to draw piping
diagrams at Sapporo City
Waterworks Bureau.
2) Country-specific training, Côte d’Ivoire, “Strengthening of Local
Governance for Participatory Regional Development”(Host period: July 4 (Mon.) – 20 (Wed.))Trainees tour the Takikawa City
Council Hall
3) Issue-specific training, “Regional Development by Systematic andComprehensive Utilization of Forest Resources through Forest
Certification System and Product Branding”(Host period: September 2 (Fri.) – October 28 (Fri.))On-site training at Hokkaido
University Uryu Experimental Forest4) Issue-specific training, “Tourism Destination Marketing under the
Cooperation between the Public and Private Sectors”(Host period: September 5 (Mon.) – October 7 (Fri.))

Researcher engaged in analysis of
tourism marketing5) Issue-specific training, “Strengthening of Local Education for
SMASE-WECSA for Sub-Saharan Africa”(Host period: January 9 (Mon.) – February 3 (Fri.))

Trainees visit a junior high school inTomakomai.
6) Country-specific training, Uganda, “Capacity Development inPlanning and Implementation of Community Development in Acholi
and West Nile Sub-regions”(Host period: February 6 (Mon.) – 24 (Fri.))

Trainees interact with local residents at a
Local Center (Kiyota Ward in Sapporo).
(2) Implementation of the JICA Partnership Program
By partnering with Sapporo City Waterworks Bureau and Sapporo
Water Service Association, HIECC launched a three-year watertransmission and distribution system improvement project, scheduled
for completion in 2018, to ensure a stable water supply in
Ulaanbaatar City, Mongolia, as part of the JICA Partnership Program(locally led technical cooperation for regional revitalization).

On-site training in installation of
mechanical equipment in Ulaanbaatar
2. Hosting of trainees from overseas
Hosting of overseas technical trainees (South America exchanges)
HIECC hosted a descendant of emigrants from Hokkaido of each of the associations of people who emigrated
from Hokkaido to Paraguay and Argentina as technical trainees in advanced expertise and Japanese language,
fostering their ability to serve as bridges between Hokkaido and South America.
(Host period: June 2016 – March 2017)
3. Collection and provision of information on international cooperation
Publication of the “Deai” information magazine on international cooperation
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 otherinternational exchange/cooperation organizations in Hokkaido. A total of 2,000
copies per issue were published three times during the year and were distributed tointernational exchange/cooperation organizations in Hokkaido and elsewhere, as
well as municipalities, universities and other related bodies in Hokkaido.

Major articles in individual issues
Summer issue Vol. 78◇Special feature: Foreign Residents in Hokkaido and HIECC Multicultural Programs ◇Interview with a
Participant in the Project to Build Bridges in Asia: My Life after Participation in the Project for High SchoolStudents to Build Bridges in Asia (Shiori Matsukawa) ◇Salama Tonight international exchange and charity eventfor the Philippines (Sapporo) ◇Launch of JICA Partnership Program: Water Transmission and Distribution
System Improvement Project for Water Supply in Ulaanbaatar City ◇FY 2015 Project to Host a Group of Young
People from Paraguay ◇The Diary of an International Student in Sapporo: Finding Fun in Everything Old or
New – Karate, My First Glimpse into Japan (Sangeetha Udani Ratnayake from the Democratic Socialist Republicof Sri Lanka, a student at the Hokkaido University Graduate School of Information Science and Technology) ◇Information on the School Visit Project by the Hokkaido Consular and Foreign Trade Corps
Autumn issue Vol. 79◇Special feature: Foreign Student Exchange in Shimokawa ◇Activities by NOGs and International Exchange
Organizations in Hokkaido: Hokkaido NGO Network Council ◇Sekai Fureai Hiroba 2016＠JICA Sapporo &Rifure Sapporo (Sapporo) ◇Exchanges with South Korea’s South Gyeongsang Province over Mini Volley(South Gyeongsang Province in South Korea) ◇The 2nd International “Gomi Horoi” Beach Walk – Cleaning Up
Ishikari Beach in Fall (Ishikari) ◇The Diary of an International Student in Sapporo: Development of Farm
Machines for the Next Generation toward Higher Food Self-sufficiency (Roshanian Fard Ali from the Islamic
Republic of Iran, a student at the Hokkaido University Research Faculty of Agriculture and Graduate School of
Agriculture) ◇Request to HIECC members to sign up
Winter issue Vol. 80◇The Philippines as Viewed by High School Students – Project for High School Students to Build Bridges in
Asia ◇The Journal of My International Cooperation Activities: The Country that Always Inspires Me to Grow
(Naotsugu Yamada) ◇Multicultural Workshop “The Future of Hokkaido and its Multiculturalism (Sapporo) ◇The Diary of Sapporo Trainees/International Students who are Descendants of Former Emigrants from Hokkaido
Abroad (Raphael Takeo Tagawa from the Federative Republic of Brazil); Hokkaido Government Overseas
Trainees (Arturo Futoshi Kondo Yamashita from the Republic of Paraguay, Néstor Diego Numata from Argentine
Republic) ◇2016 International Exchange in Shakotan (Shakotan) ◇Talk Event Connecting Tokachi in
Hokkaido with Other Countries (Obihiro) ◇The 11th Medical English Seminar (Asahikawa)FY 2016 Foreign Visitors to HIECC(1) Country(2) Date(3) Title(4) Name (honorifics omitted)(5) Purpose of visit(1) Brazil(2) April 21, 2016(3) International Student who is a Descendant of Former Emigrants from Hokkaido Abroad(4) Raphael Takeo Tagawa(5) Courtesy visit(1) Paraguay(2) June 3, 2016(3) Hokkaido Government Overseas Trainee(4) Arturo Futoshi Kondo Yamashita(5) Courtesy visit(1) Argentina(2) June 3, 2016(3) Hokkaido Government Overseas Trainee(4) Néstor Diego Numata(5) Courtesy visit(1) Mongolia(2) October 18, 2016
(3) Deputy Head, the Air Quality Monitoring Division, Ulaanbaatar City Government(4) Galimbek Khaltai(5) Courtesy visit(1) Mongolia(2) October 18, 2016
(3) Associate professor, National University of Mongolia(4) Amarbayar Adiyabat(5) Courtesy visit(1) France(2) December 5, 2016
(3) Chairman, Preparatory Committee for the Creation of a School under the Partnership between
Hokuto Bunka Academy and Institut Paul Bocuse(4) Michel Prosperi(5) Courtesy visit(1) Argentina(2) February 1, 2017(3) Head, Argentine Youth Exchange Delegation(4) Hiroshi Yasuhara and five other members(5) Courtesy visit(1) Finland(2) February 6, 2017(3) President, International Association of Snow and Ice Sculpture.
(4) Juhani Lillberg(5) Courtesy visit

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) Busan / Korea(2) Dec. 2005
(1) Kyongsang-namdo / Korea(2) Jun. 2006
(1) Seoul / Korea(2) Oct. 2010
(1) Chiang Mai / Thailand(2) Feb, 2013
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
(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
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
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
(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
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
(1) Tarma / Peru
(2) September 2015
Taiki
(1) Dashu, Kaohsiung / Taiwan(2) September 2015
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 of the Russian Federation 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) c/o Hokkaido Headquarters of Sapporo Breweries Limited, Frontier Kan, Sapporo Factory, Kita 1-jo Higashi
4-chome 8-1, Chuo-ku, Sapporo 060-8606 Japan
Tel: +81-11-251-4174(3) Honorary Consul: Mr. UBUKATA Seiji(4) May 1980
(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) 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 the Kingdom of Spain in Sapporo(2) c/o North Pacific Bank, Ltd., Odori-nishi 3-chome 7, Chuo-ku, Sapporo 060-0003 Japan

Tel: +81-11-219-7721(3) Honorary Consul: Mr. YOKOUCHI Ryuzo(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 France in Sapporo(2) SR Bldg. 3F, Minami 1-jo Higashi 2-chome 8-2, Chuo-ku, Sapporo 060-0051 Japan
Tel: +81-11-222-3572(3) Honorary Consul: Mr. FURUNO Shigeyuki(4) Nov. 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 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 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(3) Honorary Consul: Mr. NAGOYA Takao(4) Apr. 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
(1) Honorary Consulate of Mongolia in Sapporo(2) Daiichi Bldg., 8F, Kita 4-jo Nishi 16-1, Chuo-ku, Sapporo 060-0001 Japan
Tel: +81-11-611-2626(3) Honorary Consul: Mr. TAKEBE Tsutomu(4) June 2014
(1) Honorary Consulate of Papua New Guinea in Muroran(2) c/o Kuribayashi & Co., Ltd., Irie 1-19, Muroran 051-0023 Japan
Tel: +81-143-24-7011(3) Honorary Consul: Mr. KURIBAYASHI Kazunori(4) September 2015
(1) Royal Thai Honorary Consulate in Sapporo(2) Kita 1-jo Nishi 2-chome 2-1, Chuo-ku, Sapporo 060-0001 Japan
Tel: +81-11-251-3212(3) Honorary Consul: Mr. OZAWA Masaaki(4) February 2017

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
(As of April 10, 2017)

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 GrandHotel2017 Annual Report
Date of issue: August 2017
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