ISSUE #76

JULY 2013

JLGC NEWSLETTER
Japan Local Government Center ( CLAIR, New York )Issue no.76 July 2013

A Greeting from the Executive Director
On behalf of Japan Local Government Center (JLGC), it is agreat pleasure for me to greet all of you in this first newsletterof the 2013 fiscal year.
JAPAN DAY 2013 IN NY

ISSUE NO.76 JULY 2013

A Greeting from the Executive Director (Page1-2)
Introduction of New JLGC
Staff (Page3-5)
Japan Day 2013 In Central
Park (Page6)
The 2013 JETAA Canada
National Conference inMontréal (Page7)
New JLGC Staff visit Novi,Michigan (Page8)Since 1988, JLGC has been conducting many activities to develop exchanges between local governments in Japan andtheir counterparts in the US and Canada. We support the activities of Japanese local governments, carry out exchange
events, conduct research and provide information on local governments in the US and Canada, and promote the JET Program. Through these activities, our office has been trying todevelop grass-roots and youth exchanges and promote mutual
understanding between Japan and North America.
Japanese communities have about 440 sister cities in the USand about 70 in Canada. After the prolonged recession, Japanese economic power has recently started growing again not
only in urban areas but also in more rural areas. This spring,delegations from Tokyo, Kanagawa, and Osaka Prefectures
came to the US. In addition, some other delegations are going
to come here in the near future. I think this means that many
Japanese local governments attach importance to theirJAPAN LOCAL GOVERNMENT CENTER(CLAIR, NY)
3 Park Avenue, 20th Floor
New York, NY 10016-5902
212.246.5542 office • 212.246.5617 fax
www.jlgc.org

1

ISSUE #76

JULY 2013

relationships with the US and Canada, and I hope that grassroots exchange and mutual understanding may become evendeeper in the future.
Recently, various aspects of Japanese culture, commonly called“Cool Japan”, including anime, manga, J-pop (music), foods,and traditional culture, are very popular around the world.
And in Japan we have not only sophisticated traditional handicrafts and food, but also many kinds of beautiful scenery andfinely crafted products. In addition, Japanese culture values
mutual consideration and support, as was seen most recently
in the wake of the 3.11 earthquake and tsunami, along with our great spirit of hospitality. Japan is madeup of many different prefectures, from Hokkaido in the north, wide open and rich in nature, to Okinawa inthe south, surrounded by beautiful ocean. I hope people from all around the world will come and visit thesebeautiful and wonderful areas of Japan and develop lasting relationships with them. I am sure you willlove wherever you go.
One of our main activities is supporting the JET Program and the JET alumni. As you probably know, theJET Program makes it possible for Japanese local governments to invite young people from around theworld to live in Japan, teach English in public schools, and interact with their communities. About sixty
thousand people have participated in this program up until now, and about half of them were from the USand Canada. After JET, their experiences in Japan stay with them and contribute to enhancing their careers and their personal lives. These alumni then contribute to strengthening relations between Japan andtheir home countries. I wish continued success and prosperity for all the JET alumni.
Now there is a new wave in Japan, which seeks more active exchange with the world, and JLGC will try tocontribute to this by strengthening relations at the local level. I would like to say thank you to all of ourreaders and to the various government officials in the US and Canada as well as the JET alumni for all thehelp and support you have given us. I know that your cooperation will make the relationship between Japan and the U.S. and Canada even more wonderful.
Takaaki Ogata
Executive Director

JAPAN LOCAL GOVERNMENT CENTER (CLAIR, NY)

Please visit our website at www.jlgc.org for more information

2

JULY2013

ISSUE #76Introduction of New JLGC Staff

Rie Imazeki, Director,Representative of Tokyo Metropolitan Government
Hello! My name is Rie Imazeki and I have been assigned as the newdirector at JLGC. Prior to my appointment I served as an official
at Tokyo Metropolitan Government. Half of my career in Tokyo
Metropolitan Government was in charge of international affairs. Iwas in charge of the JET Program in Tokyo in 1995. If someone wasa JET member in Tokyo, please contact me!
As you know, New York is one of the biggest cities in the world, andTokyo is the biggest city in Japan. Further more, both cities have
many cultural events, delicious foods and historic sites. So, Tokyo is similar to New York.
There are a lot of subways in Tokyo just as in New York. However, some points are different. Our Tokyo subways have timetables and they run on time every day. When I came to New York, I couldn’t
find a timetable. New York subways are delayed sometimes. People, however, stay calm. I was surprised by that! If the subway is delayed by 3 minutes in Tokyo, people get angry, especially in themorning. Meanwhile, unlike New York, we can use our cellular phones at all subway stations and in
the subway; talking, sending e-mail, browsing but not Wi-Fi. I think New York is working on that!
I love New York because many parts of Tokyo are similar to New York. If you are a New York lover,please come to Tokyo and experience the similarities and differences from New York.

3

JULY2013

ISSUE #76

Yukio Yoshikawa, Assistant Director, Representative of Matsue City
Hello, my name is Yukio Yoshikawa from Matsue City, Japan.
Matsue, the capital city of Shimane Prefecture which is in WesternJapan, is known as the City of Water because of its scenic location
between Lake Shinji and Lake Nakaumi and the Sea of Japan. Also,
many beautiful canals and historic hot springs are found throughout
the city. Close to the north of the city center there are many tourist
attractions, such as the original Matsue Castle and writer Lafcadio
Hearn’s residence.
At JLGC, I am mainly in charge of research about the local government system in North America andthe fellowship exchange program in which CLAIR invites state and local government senior officials toJapan from the US and Canada to exchange information and develop mutual understanding.
I am going to stay in New York for 2 years. Though I know that it’s not enough time to understand theadministration system of North America, I would like to learn and experience as much as possible.

Emi Fujii, Assistant Director, Representative of Hiroshima City
Hello, my name is Emi Fujii from Hiroshima City in Japan. Recently,
I came to New York to work at JLGC. I’m mainly in charge of the JET
Program at JLGC. Several years ago I was in charge of it in Hiroshima
City, so I’m very surprised and happy to work for JET again. It will bea good and valuable opportunity for me to work here for two years, soI would like to do my best.
When you hear the word “Hiroshima”, you may remember the AtomicBomb Dome at first. Of course it’s very famous, but it’s not the only thing. Hiroshima is a very beautiful city surrounded by the sea (the Seto Inland Sea) and the mountains (the Chugoku Mountains). Six
beautiful rivers flow in the central area of Hiroshima from the mountains to the sea, so Hiroshima isknown as “The City of Water”. There are cruise boats on the rivers and nice open-cafes alongside them.
Not only many tourists but also the locals (like me) enjoy a very relaxing time in those places. Riding
the cruise boat, you can visit Miyajima Island. The Miyajima Itsukushima Shrine is one of the beauties of Japan. In addition, there are many wonderful places to see and enjoy in Hiroshima, so pleasecome and try them!

4

JULY 2013

ISSUE #76

Naoya Matsushige, Assistant Director,
Representative of Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department
Hello, my name is Naoya Matsushige.I’m a police officer with the TokyoMetropolitan Police Department (TMPD). I was just seconded to JLGC
in April this year. I will stay in the United States with my family for2 years.
As you may know, TMPD is the largest police agency in Japan. TMPD
has about 44,000 police officers, 102 police stations, and 826 “kobans”.
Koban means police Box, which is like a small police station. I have beena police officer for 15 years, now. My rank is Chief Inspector, which islike Captain in North America.
On this occasion, let me introduce you to TMPD’s mascot “PEOPO”.
“PEOPO” combines the first syllables of “people” and “police”. He wasborn from all the TMPD police officers’ fervent hope for the happiness
and well-being of the public they serve. Embodying cute and appealing
features of animals, “PEOPO” has an antenna on his head to grasp
swiftly any social changes, and big eyes and ears to observe every nook
and corner of the society and to listen to what the public has to say.
I’m trying to work for the people of Tokyo with the spirit of “PEOPO” every day.

Shinichiro Sakai, Assistant Director,
Representative of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications
Hello, my name is Shinichiro Sakai and I’m from the Ministry of Internal
Affairs and Communications (MIC). MIC manages fundamental systems
in Japan, like administrative management of the national government,
administration and finance systems of local governments, fire anddisaster management, and information and telecommunications.
I was in charge of support for municipal enterprises when I was in MIC
and I had been backing up privatizations of public sector entities. At JLGC, I’m in charge of the sistercity program, so I want to assist in building connections between Japan’s communities and NorthAmerica’s.
I came to New York this April and this is the first time for me to live overseas. I think this is a great
opportunity. While I’m in New York, I want to learn much about New York and I hope I can work as abridge between Japan and North America.

5

ISSUE #76

JULY2013

Japan Day 2013 In Central Park
Many know the stone and concrete bridges that knit New York together.
Sometimes overlooked are the social bonds of culture-sharing and volunteerism that connect New Yorkers with each other and the rest of theworld. Those bonds made the Seventh Annual Japan Day a success, treating 45,000 Central Park visitors to a Japanese summer festival.
Japan Day 2013 was celebrated on May 12 in Central Park. Events started at 8:00 a.m. with 5,000 entrants tackling the four-mile Japan Run. As
usual, people lined up early and often at the food tents, waiting for gyoza,ramen, or okonomiyaki. Cold bottles of tea were plentiful, a welcome refreshment as the day grew warmer.
The breadth of activities and performances reflected the variety of subcultures in modern-day Japan. At the activity tents, visitors could try Japanese calligraphy and origami crafts, paint their faces like kabuki actors, ordress in vivid yukata. Language tent volunteers made vocabulary lessons
fun, challenging passersby to a karuta game. Cultural icon Hello Kitty
mingled with the crowd, posing for photos.
Meanwhile, CNN correspondent Sandra Endo hosted an eclectic lineup ofmusical, artistic, and athletic performances at the Naumberg Bandshell.
“Japan day 2013 is in full swing in Central Park! Come join us!
“nipponpride,” she tweeted. Traditional acts led the line-up: Yosakoi andAwa Odori folk dances, taiko, calligraphy, and karate demonstrations.
Contemporary acts followed, such as J-pop performances, street dance, andProject Runway contestant Kooan’s fashion show. There was something
new, and something nostalgic, for almost everyone.

Volunteers from JETAANY, JLGC, and Japan
Society helped teach visitors the game ofyo-yo fishing.

Some of the JETAANY, JLGC and Japan Society volunteers pose with their “catch” atthe yo-yo fishing activity tent.

Judging by the number of water balloons in the crowd, the yo-yo fishing tent was a popular activity. The challenge was deceptively simple: to pluck a balloon out of water before the paper “fishing line” got damp and broke.
Children, teens, and parents all played, some repeatedly. “This is the most fun he’s had all day,” one father remarked to me, watching his young son “catch” a red balloon.
The yo-yo fishing tent hosted 3,500 visitors, a feat made possible byvolunteer spirit and the collaboration of the JET Alumni Association ofNew York, Japan Society, and the Japan Local Government Center.
About 45 members and their recruited friends—and parents!—helped
twist paper fishing line, make piles of water balloons, advertise theevent, and work in the tents. Some of us ended the day with wetclothes and sore fingers. But each balloon spotted in the crowd wasevidence that we helped to make Japan a little more vibrant in theeyes of New Yorkers.

Kathryn Edwards
JETAA NY (KochiKen, 2001-2004)

6

ISSUE #76

JULY 2013

From May 24 to May 26, the 2013 JETAA Canada National Conference, hosted in Montréal, Québec by JETAA Québec / Atlantique,brought together delegates from six JETAA chapters across thecountry. The conference was sponsored by CLAIR and the Ministryof Foreign Affairs, with support from the Consulate-General of Japan at Montréal, who hosted a cocktail reception on that Friday
evening to launch the conference.
Highlights from the Saturday workshops include a keynote speech
given by Mr. Philippe Arseneau, Outgoing Board President for theQuébec-Japan Business Forum. Through his personal experiences,
Mr. Arseneau introduced a four-step strategy for JET Programme
returnees to use their experience as an ALT or a CIR in a professional career other than teaching. Other things discussed on thatday include cultural and professional activities organized by different JETAA chapters as well as talks to consolidate website hosting
to reduce costs and technical difficulties. On Saturday evening, adinner reception hosted by CLAIR took everyone to the local restaurant Chez Ma Grosse Truie Chérie (literally “My Dear Fat Sow”) to
discover generous French-style bistronomie with a Québécois twist.

Keynote Speaker Mr. Philippe Arseneau

Chapter Presentation

On Sunday, a presentation from JETAA BC introduced a mentorship program system powered by Google
technology such as Google Maps and Google Drive. The collaboration between JETAA and the local consulate
made it possible to build a database linking future JET Programme participants and alumni who had worked
in near-by areas, to facilitate the sharing of relevant, local information. Other workshops on that day allowed
delegates from various chapters to share ideas for activities geared for returnees, such as career workshops,
as well as discuss the challenges faced by smaller, isolated chapters for funding activities and getting a variety of alumni involved.
We would like to thank our sponsors for their continued support for JETAA Canada activities as well as for feedback
and advice during the conference. We were also glad to welcome an observer from the Embassy of Japan in Canada andhope to strengthen our communications with the Embassy inthe future. This meeting will contribute greatly to the consolidation of online JETAA initiatives, such as mentorshipprograms and websites, but it will also help us share ideas
for pre and post-departure activities for new JET participants.
Consul-General’s Reception

JETAA Québec/Atlantique7

ISSUE #76JULY 2013

JLGC’s new assistant directors and our Executive Director,Mr. Takaaki Ogata, visited the City of Novi, Michigan, onMay 20-23, 2013.
Novi is located in southeastern Michigan and has a population of about 55,000. There are many numbers of Japanesecompanies doing business in Novi, resulting in a strong relationship with Japan.
Every year, Novi is kind enough to host JLGC’s new staff tohelp us learn about American local government.
Mr. Bob Gatt, Mayor of Novi, with JLGC staff

Yukio’s Comments

Emi’s Comments

Visiting Novi was a great experience for me. One aspect I could perceive about the United States is why it
is an automobile society. Also, I had an opportunity tosee how a local government manages its communityand city by visiting several city facilities. I really appreciated the hospitality of Novi city officials and I
would like to share the information and knowledge I
got in Novi with my colleagues back in Japan. Thankyou very much.

The experience in Novi was very exciting and valuable
for me. I’m very glad to know how the local governmental staff in the United State works for their residents because I have worked in the city hall in Japan.
I would like to say thank you to all the staff in Novi,and I hope to visit and meet all the wonderful people
again!

Naoya’s Comments

Shinichiro’s Comments
I stayed in Novi for a brief time and I felt what a nicecity it is. People in Novi are very kind and Novi has anice atmosphere, so I enjoyed it there very much. Above
all, it was great opportunity to see the senior center. I
suppose it will be difficult to manage such facility inJapan. I will go back to Japan someday, but I want tovisit Novi again while I’m in New York.

I was pleased to have had the opportunity to ride in thepatrol car of the Novi Police Department. The patrol
car was wonderful, and there were many useful features that Japanese patrol cars don’t have yet. I wasalso impressed with the safety of Novi. I believe thatthe safety is the result of the Novi Police’s efforts dayand night.

JAPAN LOCAL GOVERNMENT CENTER (CLAIR, NY)

Published by Japan Local Government Center
3 Park Avenue, 20th floor, New York, NY 10016 / Tel: 212-246-5542 / Fax:212-246-5617 / E:mail: jlgc@jlgc.org / http://www.jlgc.org

8