Masthead: The Sakura, or cherry blossom, is Japan’scherished national flower. Special Hanami
parties and excursions are held during blossom
time each year

SPECIAL FEATURE

Message fromJLGC’s New Deputy Director

I have been appointed the new
Deputy Director of the Japan Local
Government Center (JLGC), New York,
beginning April 1, 2005. I have the honorof taking over from Mieko Sato, who
served here for two years.
JLGC was established in 1989, andduring these years has established an
excellent reputation in the United States
and Canada through the tireless effortsof our staff.
Some of the important tasks our center
performs include promoting the exchange
and cooperation of activities between
Japanese, American and Canadian local
authorities, supporting the JET Program,
introducing the Japanese local
administration system to local authorities
in the U.S. and Canada, conducting
research concerning issues pertaining toAmerican and Canadian local governments
and supporting the overseas activities ofJapanese local authorities. Since local-levelinternationalization is ubiquitous today, the
JLGC’s purpose is as important as ever.

worked for different departments such as
the Bureau of Taxation and theSecretariat to Personnel Commission. I
was a research fellow at Tokyo Institutefor Municipal Research in 2000 andauthored a paper about the Arts Policyof the City of New York. I am very muchpleased to have been given theopportunity to work in New York which
is one of the most exciting and artistic
cities in the world.
I look forward to getting to know you
and working with you. Also, I lookforward to visiting a variety of wonderfulplaces in the U.S. and Canada while
cultivating international exchange andmutual understanding. Even though thesetasks can be challenging, I know they will
be rewarding and I will do my best toaccomplish our mission.
Finally, I would like to thank you forwelcoming me and for the assistance I
know I will be given during my stay here.

TITLE

PAGE

SPECIAL FEATURE

A Message
from JLGC’s New Deputy Director

1

JETAA ACTIVITIESRecent Issues in the JET Program

2

PREFECTURE TODAY

Akita Prefecture

3

FOCUS ON LOCAL PUBLIC FINANCE IN JAPANThree- Pronged Reform

4

SPECIAL FEATURE

A Message from2005 New JLGC Assistant Directors 6

Erena Niwa

I have been employed with the Tokyo
Metropolitan Government in Japan for
fourteen years. During this period, I
Copyright 2005 Published by Japan Local Government Center

TABLE OF CONTENTSJAPAN TODAYRoad Maintenance Support
Program in Saitama

1

8

The Council of Local Authorities for International Relations, TokyoJETAA ACTIVITIESRecent issues in the JET Programby Masahiro Nagumo
Assistant Director of JLGC

This past month, I had an
opportunity to speak to the officers of theConsulate General of Japan in San
Francisco and JET Program interviewers
about recent issues concerning the JET
Program and to talk about the JET
Program with them. Those involved in the
JET Program play different roles andoften express various points of view that
improve the JET Program. It is quite
beneficial to share information, opinions
and views from a diverse group of people.
Throughout the history of the JET
Program these discourses havedeveloped, enhanced and improved
opportunities for gifted young people toparticipate fully while enjoying andlearning about Japan. I was impressedwith the professionalism exhibited andthe enthusiasm by which they conducted
the affairs needed to prepare for the
future of the Program. I would like tointroduce a few issues from my briefing.
The JET program is in its 19th year
and has seen significant growth. In 1987,
its inaugural year, 848 participants from
4 countries embarked on a good will
mission to promote international
relations by means of teaching their native
language and offering a peek into theirunique cultures to citizens of Japan. In
2004, about 6,100 people from 41
countries were actively engaged in the
JET Program. Over the years, the JET
Program has matured gracefully while
successfully attaining its goals andobjectives. The total roster of JET
participants stands at approximately
41,000 and the number of JETAA
members was around 18,400.

Communications issued a letter
requesting Japanese local authorities toconsider implementing measures to reachout to former JETs. Cognizant of the factthat former JETs continue to be valuable
human resources, the Ministry has
become increasingly aware that there may
be ways to allow former JETs tocontribute to the activities of their former
host governments. Several examples werefeatured including; distributing
newsletters issued by contracting
organizations to former JETs; providing
former JETs with the opportunity tocontribute to these newsletters; providing
opportunities to exchange informationand opinions between former JETs andgovernors, mayors and other officials on
overseas business trips, and asking former
JETs to serve as guides or interpreters on
overseas business trips.
Interest for understanding
international affairs in elementary school
has been growing and measures havebeen implemented to increase thenumber of elementary school AssistantLanguage Teachers (ALTs). This “Period
for Integrated Study” has been in effect

The creation and nurturing of
JETAA Chapters all over the worldcontinues to be a high priority, withcurrent emphasis being placed onstrengthening the connections between
Japanese local authorities and former
JETs. The Ministry of Internal Affairs and
JLGC Newsletter

since 2002. Foreign language is not arequired subject in elementary school,
but elementary schools, if they wish,
offer foreign language conversation
classes as an element of international
understanding during the period. To
support these studies, fiscal measuresare enacted to encourage local authorities
to increase elementary school ALTs.
The goal of the fiscal measures will
permit local authorities to increase thenumber of ALT positions to 1,000 after
the 2006 fiscal year. JETs in their 4th or
5th year who passed a screening process
were placed in the position of elementary
school ALT, but with the movement toincrease elementary school ALT
positions, JETs in the 3rd year are alsoable to be placed in these positions
beginning in the 2005 fiscal year.
Since the inception of the JET
Program, the roles of JET participants
and JET Alumni have expanded
substantially. As always, we shall continue
to work with and support all who are
involved in the JET Program and JETAA
to allow for their further development
and improvement.

Consulate General officers and JET Program interviewers

2

PREFECTURE TODAY

Akita International University
by Junya Kato, Assistant Director of JLGC

Akita Prefecture in Japan is wellknown for its high quality rice called“Akita Komachi.” The prefecture also
produces excellent full-bodied sake thatenjoys a worldwide reputation as one of
the finest brewed rice wines in Japan.
Crystal clear water, rich soil, superior rice
and diligent hard working people are theingredients that make Akita’s sake a richand rewarding beverage experience.
Akita Prefecture is very proud of its
natural beauty, tourist attractions, hotspring resorts and its newest attraction.
On April 1st, 2004, a unique
university was established in Akita
Prefecture. Akita International
University (AIU) is the first public
university corporation in Japan and isquite distinct from other institutions ofhigher learning that exist in Japan. AIU’s
mission is dedicated to helping students
become world citizens by offering a solid
educational foundation, practical skills
and an awareness of global issues.
Higher education in Akita iscurrently provided by three universities
and eight junior colleges; yet every year
80 percent of high school graduateschoose to attend universities outside of
Akita Prefecture. Two reasons are thedearth of classroom space at college anduniversities in Akita and the limited
curricula, especially in the humanities
field. It is significant that many of those

Akita International University

Akita Prefecture is located at approximately the same latitude as New York

who go on to universities outside of Akita
enroll in schools of humanities. Therefore
in order to meet the needs of collegebound students from Akita and toenhance higher education in theprefecture, AIU was launched.

President Nakajima speaking
at The Entrance Ceremony on April 8th, 2005

An increased need to interact with
Northeast Asian countries such as China,
Korea and Russia and a desire to further
nurture relationships with universities inNorth America led AIU to facilitate
academic exchanges between the Eastand West. Cooperative relationships with
the Minnesota State Colleges andUniversities (MnSCU) and the partner
universities in China were enhanced byembarking upon a program of academic
exchange. It is hoped that future AIU
talent will help to expand the exchange
and sharing of ideas and information with3

universities from all over Asia and North
America.
A partnership with the Akita
Prefecture Board of Education has
fostered programs that will strive toimprove elementary and secondary
students’ English language ability. It is
anticipated that AIU’s pedagogy will use
these opportunities as a spring board
toward the development of English
education in the secondary schools of
Akita. Furthermore, AIU will proactively
contribute to the local community helping
to meet the needs of the businesses andinternational exchange organizations byproviding information about world
affairs, supporting overseas operations
and implementing continuing education
for adults.
I believe that AIU will serve as amodel institution of higher education that
fulfills students’ needs and promotes
learning that responds to the global
challenges faced by all of us at the start ofthis new century. It is my sincere hopethat AIU becomes the place where a new
approach to global higher education
begins. If you would like further
information about Akita International
University, please visit their English website located at www.aiu.ac.jp/en/

Issue 53 Spring 2005

Focus on Local Public Finance in Japan

Three-Pronged Reform

In Japan, local governments are
struggling due to a lack of sufficientfinancial resources. The Ministry ofInternal Affairs and Communications inorder to further foster decentralization
has embarked on a program ofstructural financial reform regarding
local governments. The fiscal reform
effort will help local governments with
their revenue stream and expenditure
outlays as well as encourage them torely less on national subsidies, the local
allocation tax* and finaicial transfers.
The three pronged reform program issummarized right:

Q. What is “The Local Allocation
Tax”?
From the perspective of local
autonomy, essentially it would be theideal for each local government toensure the revenue sources necessary
for administrative activities throughlocal taxes collected from theirresidents. However, there are regional
imbalances in tax revenue, and many
local governments are unable to acquire
the necessary tax revenue. Therefore,
the central government collects
financial sources that should really be
attributable to local tax revenue
through national taxation andreallocates them as the local allocation
tax to local governments where
financial sources are insufficient.
-Determination of total amount of local
allocation tax
The total amount of the local
allocation tax is determined on the basis

JLGC Newsletter4

of certain ratios for national taxes (32%for income tax and liquor tax, 35.8% forcorporate tax, 29.5% for consumption
tax, and 25% for tobacco tax) as well as
estimates of standard revenue andexpenditure of local public finance as awhole.
The total amount of local allocation
tax in fiscal 2002 was ¥19.5449 trillion,
down 4.0% from the initial figure forthe previous fiscal year.
-Method of calculation of regular local
allocation tax for each local government
The amount of ordinary allocation
is in principle the difference between an
authority’s basic fiscal needs and its
basic fiscal revenues (revenue shortfall),as determined by a fixed formula(stipulated by law or cabinet order).

Notes:
1. A “large city” refers to a city with a population of more than 100,000
persons according to the national census of 2000; a “small city” refers to acity with a population of less than 100,000.
2. A “large town or village” refers to a town or village with a population of
more than 10,000; a “small town or village” refers to a town or village witha population of less than 10,000.

-Function of the local allocation tax
The function of the local allocation
tax is to adjust imbalances in revenue
among local governments in order toguarantee revenue so that local
governments can provide standard
administrative services and basic social
infrastructure to their residents inwhatever region.
Accordingly, as a result of therevenue adjustment mechanism
through the local allocation tax, few
differences have been found in the ratioof general revenue resources to total
revenue because of such factors as sizeof population.

Sources: White Paper on Local Public Finance 2004, Ministry of Internal
Affairs and Communications

5

Issue 53 Spring 2005

SPECIAL FEATURE

A Message
from 2005 New JLGC Assistant Directors

Toyoharu Kawarai
My name is Toyoharu Kawarai. I am employedby the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department. Thisis my first visit to New York City and I am excitedabout living and working in the Big Apple! During
my stay in New York City I want to keep in touchwith the New York City Police Department (NYPD)
as well as other law enforcement agencies. I plan toresearch and study community policing and risk
management.

Takahiro Hino
Hello! I’m Takahiro Hino. I am from Miyagi
Prefecture. Miyagi is in the northeastern region ofJapan, and located about 160 miles northeast ofTokyo. A pleasant harmony exists between the ocean,mountains, rivers and plains in Miyagi Prefecture.
Sendai City, known as “the city of trees.” is the capital.
I have never been to New York. New York wasalways a dream, a place in the movies or newspapers.
New York City is a cornucopia with unique andKazuya Endo
My name is Kazuya Endo and I’m from
Hokkaido Prefecture. Hokkaido is thenorthernmost island of the Japanese archipelago.
Hokkaido is particularly rich in natural beauty with
abundant forests, mystic lakes and magnificent
mountains. There are four distinct seasons; fragrant
springs, warm summers, festive fall and cold snowy
winters.

JLGC Newsletter6

I have only two years till I graduate from“JLGC New York” and I plan to meet many people
and enjoy urban living.

diverse architectural style, a plethora of museums,
operas, musicals, and entertainment venues. I am acurious fellow, and I will enjoy my New York life to
my heart’s content. We have a saying in Japan; “ichigoichie” which means “treasure every encounter, for it
will never recur.” Indeed, I shall treasure every
moment spent in America.

I have dreamed of living in a foreign country
for a long time. I’m very happy to have theopportunity to live in New York City, one of thegreatest cities in the world. I would like to enjoy
my life here and study various cultures in the U.S.

Norimitsu Takahashi
Hi! My name is Norimitsu Takahashi. I work for
the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications(MIC). The MIC is responsible for creating thefundamental national system of Japan. Today, the
MIC is striving to address a host of important issues
that will shape the nation for the 21st century. Efforts
include the establishment of new administrative
systems such as the development of new local
administrative system called the trinity reform. The
trinity reform refers to a three in one reform programthat will implement changes in national treasury

Hidenori Umebayashi
I am from Shimane Prefecture. Located inwestern Japan and facing the Sea of Japan, Shimane
has two beautiful lakes (Shinji-ko, Nakaumi). I amquite familiar with these lakes, because as a high school
student, I belonged to a rowing club. I enjoyed rowing
on these lakes while witnessing spectacular sunsets.
The people of Shimane are friendly and especiallyattentive of visitors and guests. Shimane isn’t famous,just a wonderful place to live and to raise children. I
do hope that you have an opportunity to visit.

Takao Aharen
Hello to all! I am from Okinawa Prefecture andI would like to briefly describe Okinawa to JLGC
readers. Okinawa is the only semitropical area inJapan with the warmest climate surrounded bybeautiful seas and skies. Okinawa’s people and culture
are unique, tracing their heritage from its history withneighboring Asian countries. Okinawa is one of themost famous tourist destinations in Japan spurred onby the many international conferences held such as
the G8 summit in 2000, and the Inter-American

Masanori Sato
Hello everyone! My name is Masanori Sato. I
am a government official of Chiba City, the capital of
Chiba Prefecture. Chiba City is situatedapproximately 40km east of Tokyo and is known as“The Flowery City” in Japan. Various seasonal events
incorporating beautiful flowers are held in Chiba City.
I do not believe this is a well known fact so when I
meet people in the USA and Canada, I will introduce
them to the wonders of Chiba City.

7

subsidies, revise tax source distribution, including thetransfer of tax resources, and fine tune the local
allocation tax system.
I’m interested in local government, the practiceof public administration and critical urban/rural issues
affecting local jurisdictions in the U.S.A. and Canada.
During my stay in New York, I hope to study theAmerican and Canadian local government systems
and meet with the people who determine policies andwho work for public institutions.

As an employee of Shimane Prefecture, I worked
three years for social welfare and two years inagricultural administration. While in New York’s
JLGC, I’m in charge of the JLGC Newsletter. I’m very
happy to work and live in USA, and I’d like to visit
unique and beautiful places. If we should meet, please
recommend your favorite places. I’m looking forward
to seeing you. I would like to be a good bridge between
your country and Japan.

Development Bank Annual Meeting in 2005.
During my two year hiatus in New York City, I
hope to have many opportunities to meet and talkwith a variety of American and Canadian people,
while learning about the many interesting facets ofNorth American culture and way of life. We have asaying in Okinawa “Ichariba-chode”, which means“once we meet, we are as brothers”. I look forward
to meeting you and sharing the Okinawa spirit.

I hope to talk to many people from all over theUnited States. I firmly believe that learning about
different cultures and peoples values will broaden myoutlook. I’m excited about living and working in New
York City. I enjoy singing and playing guitar and my
dream is to sing and play guitar on the streets of New
York City!

Issue 53 Spring 2005

JAPAN TODAYRoad Maintenance Support Program in Saitama
by Hideki Takahashi
Engineer of Kitamoto Land Development Office, Saitama prefecture government(Former Assistant Director of Japan Local Government Center)

Saitama Prefecture
Government• volunteer insurance• Provision of cleaning things, flower seeds• Placing a board that shows the volunteer bodyRoads which are operated andmaintained by the Prefecture

Municipal Governments• Garbage bags
• Garbage disposal

Cleaning

Capital infrastructure is the lifeline ofJapan and keeping all roadways clean andoperating efficiently is a high priority forJapanese prefectures. In Japan, the road
network includes national, prefecture andmunicipal roads. Prefectures are
responsible for the maintenance anddevelopment of their designated roadways.
Clean roads are important to theenvironment and the quality of life forresidents and commuters. Saitama’s road
network of 1,800 miles is difficult tomaintain especially when the budget is tightand as such the prefecture government is
promoting a public-private partnershipprogram to keep the road network clean
and aesthetically pleasing to its citizens.
“The Road Maintenance Support
Program” is modeled after the “Adapt
Program” of Texas, United States anintergovernmental partnership that
extensively uses volunteers’ organizations.

Volunteer Bodies(Residents, Schools, Businesses,
Not-for-profit organization)

Volunteers are equipped to clean the roads,
especially sidewalks. Saitama and its
municipalities support the many volunteers
providing insurance, garbage bags, cleaning
supplies, gloves and pick up tools. Local
governments are responsible for picking up
roadside garbage bags and disposal. In
some cases, flower seeds are provided forplanting. It can be said that volunteers haveadopted their local roads.
Presently, about two hundred groups
in fifty nine municipalities are recognized
as volunteer bodies. Membership and sizevary as some groups consist solely of
residents and others are schools orbusinesses, non profit corporations andcitizens organizations. More than 10,000
people participate inthese programs cleaning
sidewalks in Saitama
Prefecture.

important feedback from the volunteer
groups on how to improve the program.
These opinions/ideas help the government
to plan for the future. There are a few
drawbacks to the program.
In Japan, there are some legal
barriers to outsourcing road maintenanceto residents groups or not-for-profit
organization and that limits volunteerism.
However, the future of these public-private
partnerships is promising because people
love their neighborhoods and exhibit
passion to contribute to the health, safety
and welfare of their community.

Featuredin this issue:

AKITA PREF.

There are several
benefits reaped by the local
governments and theirvolunteer participants.
One of the benefits forthe prefecture is costsavings which lessens thebudget demand for roadmaintenance. Additionally,
the government obtains

JAPAN LOCAL GOVERNMENT CENTER
666 FIFTH AVE., NEW YORK, NY 10103-0072

TEL: (212) 246-5542
FAX: (212) 246-5617→→

Saitama Prefecture located north of theTokyo Metropolitan contains eighty fivemunicipalities, cities, towns, and villages.
With a growing population exceeding sevenmillion people Saitama is the fifth largest
prefecture in Japan. An effective modern
road network is critical to the economic andsocial health of a nation.

SAITAMA
PREF.

E-MAIL: jlgc@jlgc.org
http://www.jlgc.org