jlgcnews letter
J A PA N LO C A L G OV E R N M E N T C E N T E R ( C L A I R , N E W Y O R K ) I S S U E N O .

69 S P R I N G 2 0 1 1

JLGC Projects in 2011
AS THE REPRESENTATIVE OFFICE OF JAPANESE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, JLGC CONTINUES ITS WORKTO STRENGTHEN THE TIES BETWEEN NORTH AMERICAN AND JAPANESE COMMUNITIES. FOR EXAMPLE:

1. Partnerships with American andCanadian Local Governments
EAttending the National Conferencesof Governmental Organizations
JLGC attends the annual
nationalconferencesof
local
government organizations both in theUnited States and Canada. At theseconferences, JLGC learns information
about issues pertaining to U.S. andCanadian local governments, andcultivates partnerships with theseorganizations. At some conferences,
JLGC sponsors “Japan Night” tointroduce its activities. (Please see page
3 for details)
EFellowship Exchange Program

Fellowship 2010

This program has beenaffording senior executives from stateor provincial and local governments in
the U.S. and Canada the opportunityto visit Japan and learn about Japanesepublic administration.

Fellowship 2010

Participants in recent years arefrom these organizations: Council ofStateGovernments,
National
JLGC NewsLetter No. 69 • © 2011 Japan Local Government Center

Association of Counties, National
Conference of State Legislatures,
National Governors Association,
National
LeagueofCities,
International
City/County
Management Association, UnitedStates Conference of Mayors, Canadian
Urban Institute, Federation ofCanadian Municipalities,
New York City Council, City of New
York, etc. (Please see page 2 for thecomments from the Fellowship 2010
participants)
2. Serving as Liaison for Japanese
Local Governments
EResearch
JLGC conducts research andsurveys mainly on the administration ofstates and local governments in theU.S. and Canada. JLGC also conducts
research based on requests fromJapanese prefectures and local
governments.
JLGC
providesinformation about Japanese local
authorities on issues such astransportation, education, social
welfare, and budgeting.
ESupporting Japanese Local
Governments’ overseas projects
Sharing best practices with
American and Canadian local
governments is a high priority among
Japanese local governments. JLGC
supports various kinds of Japanese local
government projects by facilitating
study visits and arranging meetings. Inorder to revitalize local economies, afew Japanese local governments aretrying to find new markets in North
America.
JLGC introduces theirunique activities through showcases,events, and media sources. Someambitious Japanese local governments
have already found business partners inNorth America with JLGC’s support.

International Food and Restaurant Food Service ShowJLGC is making good use of allopportunities
todeepentherelationship between the two countries.
Mutual cooperation between Japan andU.S. organizations and the Japan
Exchange and Teaching Program (JET)
Alumni Associations, will promote
Japan in American communities.
3. The Japan Exchange and Teaching(JET) ProgramJETAA National Conference 2010 in New York

Established in 1987, the JET
Program has played a significant role inforeign language education andinternational exchange activities. JET
Program participants assist Japaneseteachers in schools, and coordinate
international projects implemented by
local governments. JLGC continuously
supports JET Alumni Associations(JETAA; 19 U.S. chapters and 7Canada chapters) promoting andadvocating the program. (Please see
page 7 & 8 for details)

Career Forum hosted by JETAA New York Chapter

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Comments from CLAIR’s Fellowship Exchange Program 2010 Participants
LAIR’s Fellowship Exchange
Program 2010 was held from
November 7 to 17 in Tokyo,and Shimane. Participants experienced
formal meetings with Japanese local
government officials, study tours, homestays and authentic Japanese ryokan(traditional Japanese style inn). They
thoroughly enjoyed “Japan”. Here iswhat they had to say.

C

Mayor Nancy Chaney
City of Moscow, Idaho

CLAIR opens hearts
and minds to thepossibilities
ofinternationalization. It
builds networks of mutually-supportive
relationships, and reminds us thatnations are comprised of states,prefectures, counties, cities, villages,
and individuals who have much incommon. I am appreciative of theopportunities afforded by myexperience, and for friendships madealong the way!
Mr. Lloyd Halverson
City Administrator
City of Camas, Washington

The CLAIR experience
was excellent. The
hospitality, grace andcourtesy we were shown made a mostmemorable impression. I returned
with a much broader appreciation forJapanese people, culture, history, local
government and overall conditions.
My hope is that we were able to bringto our hosts at CLAIR and in Shimane
Prefecture some good measure of value
from our group’s experiences.
Mr. Kevin Frazell
Director, Member Services
League of Minnesota Cities

The visit to the CLAIR
offices in Tokyo, thenontoShimane
Prefecture, was one of the mostsignificant events of my professional
life. While the cultures of Japan andthe United States are distinct, ourchallenges are amazingly similar. I left
with a great appreciation for how much
we can learn from Japan and how muchJLGC NewsLetter No. 69 • © 2011 Japan Local Government Center

we can offer in their search forsolutions.
Dr. Richard Leclerc
Regional Director (Nord-duQuebec) Ministere des Affaires
municipales, des Regions et del'Occupation du territoire, Quebec

The 2010 CLAIR’sSeminar in Tokyo and Shimane gaveme the opportunity to learn new
approaches to diversify the economic
life of resource region. In Shimane
prefecture, the local governments incooperation with the private sector
work very hard to developed newactivities based on the local resources tocreate jobs and wealth.

relationship with CLAIR."
Ms. Stephanie
OsbornDeputy Director, County Services
National Association of Counties

I found the challenges
andopportunities
facing localities in Japan to be
strikingly similar to the U.S.: doing
more with less, an evolving relationshipbetweennationalandlocalgovernment, an aging workforce, andthe importance of regional cooperation
for domestic and international businessdevelopment. Thank you, CLAIR andJapan, for such an enriching experiencein Tokyo and beautiful Shimane
Prefecture!

Mr. Ed Sajecki
Commissioner, Planning and Building
City of Mississauga, Ontario, Canada

The CLAIR Fellowship
Program is without
question one of themost rewarding professional experiencesof my life. The richness of the program
continued non-stop from our arrival andbriefings in Tokyo to our very full week
in Shimane Prefecture. The organizationand hospitality was outstanding
including our home stay where we had
the opportunity to experience Japaneseculture first hand. Perhaps mostmemorable are the enduring friendships
with our Japanese hosts and the bondingthat has occurred among all of us who
participated as CLAIR Fellows.
Since my return to Canada, therelationship
with
CLAIR
hascontinued. At the end of January, Mr.
Tetsuo Yamashita, Consul General ofJapan in Toronto, hosted a memorable
evening at his residence for theCanadian Urban Institute Board ofDirectors, staff and CLAIR Fellows.
This provided an opportunity not justto celebrate the values of the enduring
partnership with CLAIR (JLGC) but tomeet Consulate staff and members of
Shokokai and establish a new
relationship with a group of importantand innovative Japanese Corporations.
As a CLAIR Fellow and as a member ofthe Board of Directors of CUI, I lookforward to a long and fruitful

Ms. Sasha SutcliffeStephenson
Director, International Programs
The Council of State Governments

The experiences andfriendships we as agroup established through the CLAIR
fellowship will last me a lifetime. I wasoverwhelmed by the hospitality andgenerosity we were shown by our hosts
in Tokyo and Shimane and was sopleased at the number of opportunities
we had to exchange ideas and opinionswith local and prefectural officials. I
can’t wait to go back!”
Ms. Joy Wilson
Director, Health Policy
The National Conference ofState Legislatures

I found that theopportunities
andchallenges regarding economic growthand development, education and healthcare mirror those in the United States
and that elected officials in Japan, likethose in the U.S. find that the bestsolutions involve partnerships between
the government and the private sector.
On a personal note, I was very
impressed with the history, culturalactivities and natural beauty ofShimane Prefecture and I hope to visit
again.

PAGE 2

Attending the Annual Conferences of Governmental Organizations
JLGC attends the annual conferences of American and Canadian local government organizations where JLGC staff learns about issues
affecting local governments and networks with representatives from the United States and Canada. At some conferences, JLGC sponsors“Japan Night” to introduce its activities, Japanese culture and cuisine. Please contact JLGC representatives at the conference you attend!
In 2010, JLGC attended these conferences
Name of Meetings

Place

Federation of Canadian Municipalities

Toronto, Ontario

May 28-31

Dates

United States Conference of Mayors

Oklahoma City, OK

June 11-15

National Governors Association

Boston, MA

July 9-11

National Association of Counties

Reno, NV

July 16-20

Natinal Conference of State Legislatures

Louisville, KY

July 25-28

Sister Cities International

Albuquerque, NM

July 29-31

International City/County Management Association

San Jose, CA

Oct 17-20

International Association of Chiefs of PoliceOrlando, FL

Oct 22-27

National League of Cities

Denver, CO

Nov 30-Dec 4

Council of State Governments

Providence, RI

Dec 3-6

In 2011, JLGC will attend these conferences
Name of Meetings

CSG National Conference 2010

BellevueCouncil of State Governments
Oct 19-23

Portland

PlaceDates

Sister Cities International

Arlington, VA

Mar 3-5

Federation of Canadian Municipalities

Halifax, Canada

June 3-6

United States Conference of Mayors

Baltimore, MD

June 17-21

National Governors Association

Salt Lake City, UTJuly 15-17

National Association of Counties

Portland, OR

July 15-19

National Conference of State Legislatures

San Antonio, TX

Aug 8-11

International City/County Management Association

Milwaukee, WI

Sept 18-21

Council of State Governments

Bellevue, WA

Oct 19-23

International Association of Chiefs of Police

Chicago, ILOct 22-26

National League of Cities

Phoenix, AZ

Nov 8-12

National Association of Counties
July 15-19

Halifax

Federation of Canadian Municipalities
June 3-6

Milwaukee
International City/County Management Association
Sept 18-21

Salt Lake City
National Governors Association
July 15-17

ChicagoBaltimore

United States Conference of Mayors
International Association of Chiefs of Police
June 17-21
Oct 22-26

Arlington
Sister Cities International
Mar 3-5

Phoenix
National League of Cities
Nov 8-12

San Antonio
National Conference of State Legislatures
Aug 8-11

JLGC NewsLetter No. 69 • © 2011 Japan Local Government Center

PAGE 3

New York & Tokyo; 50 Years Working Together as Sister Cities
TOMOYA SUZUKI / ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, JLGC (REPRESENTATIVE, TOKYO METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT)I

n 2010, New York and Tokyocelebrated fifty years as sister cities.
Initiated on February 29th, 1960
New York is the eldest of Tokyo’s elevensister city relationships. New York has
ten sister cities and Tokyo is the oldest
and only Japanese city.
In commemorating their fiftiethanniversary, Tokyo Metropolitan
Government (TMG)
hostedapanel
exhibition in Tokyo
introducing
thehistory of exchange
between the two
ProclamationcitieswithaDocument 1960
chronological display of photographs,
received gifts and mementos. Perhaps
the highlight of the showing was theoriginal proclamation document.
During these fifty years, the twocities
havedeveloped
mutualunderstandings firmly grounded byprograms
includingbaseballtournaments, staff exchange, inviting
students and teachers to Tokyo andcultural events. Today, the two cities
are sharing information, model
programs and best practices to solve
issues unique to large metropolitan
areas. For example:
EEnvironment

Governor Ishihara at the C40 summit, on the far right

In May 2007, the Governor ofTokyo, Shintaro Ishihara, participatedin the C40 (The Large Cities Climate
Leadership Group) summit held inNew York. He spoke about TMG’s
JLGC NewsLetter No. 69 • © 2011 Japan Local Government Centerprogressive approach to regulate
exhaust gasses from diesel vehicles. He
also introduced TMG’s cutting edge
eco-friendly water works technologies.
Distributing sample bottles of “TokyoWater” to the participants, thegovernor promoted its taste and safety.
In November 2010, theCommissioner of New York City(NYC)’s Department of Buildings
visited the TMG’s Bureau ofEnvironment.
The commissioner
learnedaboutTMG’s
proenvironmental urban development
policies while describing NYC’senvironmental plan.
EEducation

Mr. Tetsuo Iwasa, Deputy Director General, Tokyo
Metropolitan Office of Education and Ms. Marjorie
Tiven, Commissioner, NYC Commission for the UN,
Consular Corps and Protocol, at NYC Global Partners
Summit 2010

The field of education has seen
active exchanges since the inception ofthe sister city relationship. As recently
as 2006, Tokyo has participated in
NYC’s “Global Partners Junior”- astudent internet exchange program.
Through this program, students inboth cities communicate online about
topics relevant to both cultures, sharing
research and the latest data on theircommunities. The highlight of thissuccessful program took place in May
2010 when elementary school pupils inNew York visited a Tokyo elementary
school that they were correspondingwith.
Representatives of TMG’s
Board of Education attended NYC’s
Global Partners Summit in November
2010. During the summit, they shared

their best practices with NYC publicschool leaders and representatives fromother global major cities to improveurban education.
ECulture and Grass-root Exchanges
Maybe the most interesting andexciting exchanges over the past fifty
years has been in the field of culture.
Every year, amateur ceramic artists
from both cities hold an affablecompetition that has served to cultivate
and cement the friendship. TMG andNYC Global Partners, Inc. support theevents.
In June 2006, a photo
exhibition entitled “Landmark of NewYork” was held at the observatory ofTMG Headquarters. Many Tokyoites
and tourists visited this exhibition toenjoy the beautiful pictures of thefamous buildings in New York.
ETourism
Regarding New York as animportant inbound tourism market,
TMG sponsored “Tokyo CityPromotion” events in 2005 and 2006,
featuring the appeal and attractivenessof Tokyo as a hot tourism spot for New
York travel agents and the travelers theyserve.
In order to further stimulate
tourist travel to Tokyo, direct flights
between JFK airport and Haneda
airport were launched, providing
additional opportunities for visitors toexperience the sights and sounds ofTokyo while observing how theaforementioned
environmental,education and cultural polices haveenhanced Tokyo as a 21st century city.
As a staff member of TMG
working at the Japan Local
Government Center in New York, I
shall aspire to do my best to help
cultivate further the friendship between
these two great global cities.
http://www.metro.tokyo.jp/ENGLISH/
index.htm
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