ISSUE #75

APRIL 2013

JLGC NEWSLETTER
Japan Local Government Center ( CLAIR, New York )Issue no.75 April 2013

Comments from CLAIR Fellowship Exchange
Program Participants
CLAIR Fellowship Exchange Program 2012 was held from January 20
to 30 in Tokyo and Kagawa. The program provided a wide range of
information on Japan’s local government system. Participants exchanged their opinions on the tourism industry, especially, this year.
Also they experienced home-stays and traditional Japanese culture.
AT KAMINARI-MON IN TOKYOISSUE NO.75 APRIL 2013

COMMENTS FROM CLAIR
FELLOWSHIP EXCHANGE
PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS(PAGE 1-6)
JET PROGRAM CITED IN
PROCLAMATION BY GOVERNOR HICKENLOOPER OF
COLORADO (PAGE 7)

A JET ALUMNI MEMBER HAS
BEEN HELPING THE REBUILDING IN TOHOKUBY PROVIDING USEFUL INFORMATION! (PAGE 8)
A NEW CLAIR REPORT,“LEARNING FROM SUCCESSFUL FINANCIAL REFORM
IN ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FLORIDA”, HAS BEEN RELEASED!
(PAGE 9-10)

I visited Japan for the first time as part of the CLAIR
Fiscal 2012 study tour. It was an unforgettable experience. I cannot imagine a better introduction to Japan’s
government, culture, geography, and people. Ourschedule was packed with exciting activities from
Ms. Erinmeeting senior government officials to touring world
Sparksclass art museums, sampling wonderful cuisine, andstaying with wonderfully hospitable host families for a
Senior Policy
weekend. The theme of our study tour, promoting tourAnalyst,
ism, was particularly relevant for my work, which foNational Govercuses on state economic development policy. I enjoyednors Association
the chance to hear about the policies and programs
that are working in Japanese prefectures and to shareideas of policies that are working in American states.

JAPAN 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

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APRIL 2013

Mr. Jeremy
Lynn Williams
Policy Analyst,
The Council ofState Governments

Mr. David
Thompson

ISSUE #75

The 2012 CLAIR Fellowship Exchange Program provided a unique glimpse into the historical, political, cultural, and social nuances of Japan, with an emphasis on Tokyo and Kagawa Prefecture. The program sessions provided a wide variety of information on topics
ranging from the structure and functions of state and local government, to the unique anddistinctive role of tourism in the Japanese economy, demonstrating how the industry is
inextricably tied to the region’s diverse cuisine, religions, landscapes, and art. Visits tovarious museums afforded a perspective on the history of Japan, along with its 47 prefectures and numerous municipalities, as well as showcased the country’s promotion of contemporary art. Visits to various Buddhist and Shinto temples and shrines, as well as thehomestay portion of the program, provided a look at the daily lives of everyday Japanese, avaluable experience that most Westerners are not otherwise afforded. The program wasextremely well organized. It is to the credit of the CLAIR staff, as well as the staff of theTokyo and Kagawa governments, that a great deal of valuable information and an array ofastonishing experiences were discovered during this short visit.
Upon my return from CLAIR’s 2012 Local Government Exchange and Cooperation Seminar and post-trip reflection, I can enthusiastically state that CLAIR has achieved its’ stated primary goal with my group of United States and Canadian participants. “The primarygoals of CLAIR are to foster, develop and nurture, at the sub-national level, an international mutual understanding between Japan and other nations and the exchange of ideasthat relate to government administration and management.”

It is amazing to me that over a short period of time I came to understand not only the forExecutive Direc- mal structure that exists between the central government, prefectures, and local governments, but also how the components functionally work together. This was achieved utiliztor,
ing the seminar presentations as background material, but just as importantly, seeing theNorth Carolina
structure functioning in Kagawa Prefecture and Marugame City. The in-depth exposure to
Association of
how this decentralized government was working together to develop the full economic poCounty Commistential of local attractions and assets, served to reinforce my understanding of how thesioners
system works to the benefit of all levels. It was interesting to note the concept of decentralization that consisted of some support by the central government, but which emphasized the importance of local autonomy in forming public policy around local needs andsolutions.
These lessons learned and the appreciation of Japanese history, culture, and government
innovation will continue with me throughout my public career here in the United States.
The dedication of CLAIR’s New York and Tokyo staff, as well as Kagawa’s staff to supportand enhance the experience will be remembered as well. Thank you for allowing me to participate and experience Japan through CLAIR’s Seminar this year.

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Mr. Jim Brooks
Program Director,
National Leagueof Cities

My experience in Japan was nothing short of remarkable. We covered a large number of
topics during the program as well as a significant portion of the land in Kagawa Prefecture. Moreover, our group of Fellows was introduced to a significant number of elected
officials, government staff, artisans, gallery directors and ordinary citizens. I felt immersed in the uniqueness that is Japan.
My two biggest discoveries were the number and quality of modern art venues in Kagawa
and the beautiful natural landscape of that region of Shikoku. I was expecting Tokyo to be
the dense urban hub with more than its fair share of iconic buildings. What I did not expect was the familiarity of cities such as Takamatsu and Marugame which tend to resemble typical American municipalities.
Finally, the hospitality and courtesy of the Japanese people we met ensures that I will
make a future visit to Japan.
Please see the links below.
http://citiesspeak.org/2013/01/18/ideas-and-inspiration-from-japan/
http://citiesspeak.org/2013/01/23/global-outreach-by-japanese-cities/
http://citiesspeak.org/2013/01/28/japanese-localities-build-growth-on-arts-and-culture/
http://citiesspeak.org/2013/02/05/the-changing-face-of-japanese-decision-making/It’s hard to believe that almost a month has gone by since our wonderful visit to Japan.
I have had great fun telling the stories of our whirlwind tour to Japan and the wonderful
warm reception we received everywhere we went. I have had the occasion to be speaking
to 10 or 12 audiences in both California and the state of Washington in the last three
weeks. It has been fun to share that Japan is a thoroughly modern and industrializedcountry with amazing art and architecturally significant museums. The culture is differMr. Tedent enough from western culture that several things are significant — the food and theGaeblerway it is presented, the bathrooms, andthe historical religious institutions.
City Manager,
City of Rancho
The story I tell most has to do with the
Cordova, Califor- warmth and kindness of the people we met.
nia
I thoroughly enjoyed my homestay andthink that is a significant magical pieceof the CLAIR visit.

By the Seto Inland Sea

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Mr. Robert
O'Neill, Jr.
Executive Director,
International City/County Management Association

The trip and study program prepared by CLAIR was an extraordinary experience. I can’t
thank the CLAIR staff enough for the detailed preparation, organization, and substantive
contributors to our experience. As a group we had a memorable experience in Japan. We
learned much about the history, economy culture and geography of Japan. We saw manyof the attractions of Tokyo and Kagawa that will be lasting memories. The homestay was atruly wonderful experience, one in which few get a chance to enjoy. The host families weregreat and in two days we got a chance to see the true Japan that few tourists ever get toexperience. We can only hope our suggestions and recommendations to the Kagawa officials are helpful and in some small way can repay them for their most generous hospitality
and warmth. Certainly the experience with my fellow participants from the US and Canada was richly rewarding. I think we all have new friends and colleagues that we hope to
see often and continue to work together.

The CLAIR study tour provided an amazing introduction to Japan. I'll never forget thewarmth and hospitality of the people we met, including the CLAIR staff, our generous andgracious hosts in Kagawa prefecture, and my wonderful homestay family. I was also impressed with Japan's combination of a long and rich cultural history, alongside ultramodern art, design and technology. Our stay at Zentsuji Temple, including the morning
Mr. Mike Murray
prayer service and walking the Kaidan-meguri were historical / cultural highlights for me.
Chief Administrative I also took advantage of my last afternoon in Tokyo to ride the Shinkansen between Tokyo
Officer,and Shizuoka - right past Mt Fuji at 200 km/hr on a crystal clear day - a great example ofRegional MunicipaliJapan's super modern transportation system! I came away from the trip with new friends
ty of Waterloo, Onin Japan, a greater understanding of the country and its culture, and memories that will
tario
last a lifetime!

At Kagawa Prefecture Government

At Naoshima Island

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I have just returned from a trip representing AMCTO in Japan, where I spent ten days learning
about local Japanese government and tourism initiatives in Kagawa Prefecture.
This local government exchange and cooperation seminar was provided by the Council of Local
Authorities for International Relations (CLAIR). The purpose of this program is to invite foreign
local government executives to Japan and provide them an opportunity to get a better understanding of Japan and its system of local government through opinion and information exchange.
It also serves as a chance to promote network building between CLAIR, Japanese and foreign
Ms. Nancy
Wright-Laking local governments, and international exchange organizations in areas covered by CLAIR’s overseas offices – in our case the New York Office.
President,
There were eight individuals from North America who had the privilege of making this trip with
Association ofme. Our group represented various associations, such as The National Governors Association,
Municipal ManThe Council of State Governments, The North Carolina Association of County Commissioners,
agers, Clerks and
The National League of Cities, The International City/County Management Association and theTreasurers of
AMCTO.
Ontario
There were three municipal representatives from Canada; the CAO from the Regional Municipality of Waterloo, an international affairs councillor from the City of Montreal and yours truly! I
actually had the opportunity to represent both the AMCTO and the Township of Minden Hills,
which is especially significant due to my Minden Hills economic development portfolio.
We had an action packed schedule.
We arrived in Japan on a Sunday afternoon and had an orientation that evening. The next day
we attended the Tokyo Seminar where we met with the Chairperson of CLAIR and received apresentation of CLAIR activities. We were provided with an introduction to local government system in Japan and received a lecture from the Japan Tourism Agency on tourism administration.
On day three we were given a tour of government facilities in Tokyo, including the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Observatories, The Museum of Contemporary Art - Tokyo, Edo Tokyo Museum and Sensoji Nakamise (a shopping street outside the Buddhist Sensoji Temple in
the Asakusa District).
Then we flew to Kagawa Prefecture where we had a whirlwind of engagements, including meeting with officials from Kagawa. They outlined their prefecture; the Shitoku 88 Temple Circuitand Pilgrimage, Setouchi Triennale (art festival) and the promotion of local products.
In order to get a better understanding of the tourism and branding opportunities we visited various arts, cultural and heritage attractions. We took part in a tea ceremony and made Japanese
sweets at Ritsurin Garden. We crafted traditional paper fans at the Uchiwa Museum. Other
highlights included visits to the Higashiyama Kali Setouchi Art Museum, Sanuki Kagari Temari
Preservation Association, Konpira Shrine, Kanamaruza Kabuki Theater and the Kinryo no Sato
Sake Museum.
We also met with the Governor, Vice-Governor and Director General of the Governor’s Secretariat, as well as the Mayor of Marugame City.
We were fortunate to participate in a variety of cultural experiences, giving us a taste of daily life
in Japan. We slept on futons at the Zentsuji Temple Lodging in a Shukuba (a post town withlodging for travellers), and at Kotosankaku, a Japanese traditional inn. Here we had the opportunity to experience Japanese baths and were exposed to Buddhist prayers and sermons, among
other daily routines in a Japanese temple.
We stayed with host families in and around Takamatsu City for two nights. These people were

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amazing! They went overboard to provide us with an authentic Japanese experience throughart, culture and food.
We had memorable experiences sampling traditional Japanese foods and being guests of honour
at many lunches and receptions hosted by CLAIR, The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, and Kagawa Prefecture.
My experiences offered an enriching view of the Japanese culture, heritage and economy. I
learned about life in Japan from both officials and citizens. I learned that although our cultures
Ms. Nancy
Wright-Laking differ, we all share parallel struggles related to economic development and ways to find a significant and distinctive brand to encourage tourism. I met many people with whom we can netPresident,
work. My fellow travellers and I are now ambassadors for Japan and what it has to offer. And
Association of
we have made new friends throughout North America and Japan.
Municipal ManagPersonally, I have garnered new skills crafting paper fans and making Udon noodles, a processers, Clerks andthat involved dancing on the dough. I have new Japanese friends, have the ability to remove myTreasurers of On- shoes about 50 times a day and am an expert at navigating the Tokyo subway system. I now
tario
know that I can climb a mountain - getting to Uchiwa Castle was no small feat!
I did not improve my ability to speak Japanese but it did not prevent me from thoroughly enjoying the heated toilet seats. The sake wasn’t bad either!
My experiences were many. What I liked most was the people we met; the staff and the hostfamilies who were so accommodating and gracious to us. They bent over backwards to ensurethat we had a good experience, and that we experienced as much as we could. They were there
from start to finish, waving us on our way at each destination.
As an old friend of Japan, where I have lived more than seven years mostly as a graduate student at Jochi Daigaku (Sophia University), and a country where I have been travelling back andforth from Canada for more than 30 years, it was an immense pleasure for me to go back to Japan after an absence of 6 years.
As the cities of Montreal and Hiroshima have a twin sister-city agreement since June 1998, I
began my travels to Japan by visiting Hiroshima, where a small snow-storm welcomed me, to
Ms. Lucie Lavoie my great surprise. As we will be celebrating our 15th anniversary in 2013, I was there to prepare for the visit of Mayor Kazumi Matsui to Montreal this coming August.
Counsellor,
I then travelled on to Tokyo where I met the CLAIR staff and our group. What a group weInternational Af- were ! Everyone was different, yet we got along very well ! Everyone was interesting, fun andfairs, City of Mon- quite punctual!
treal, Quebec
It was pure pleasure to be back in Japan. CLAIR welcomed us with such generosity, and had us
tour Tokyo and Kagawa, the noodle-ken ! As I have lived many years in Tokyo, being back was
great. Tokyo has changed quite a bit since my last visit, yet the spirit of the city which I love somuch is, I am happy to say, still very much alive.
Kagawa was altogether quite a different experience. As it was my first time to Shikoku, I was
expecting beautiful sites, the sea, mountains, and this is what we got. And plenty more. The Kagawa people were very welcoming, the food was succulent, and the onsen were very welcome at
the end of long and cold days. Snow was certainly not what I was expecting ! But snowed it did !
I would like to thank everyone who was involved in taking such good care of us in Japan. I will
not forget this trip ! And last but not least, my host family had a lot to do with my stay in Kagawa : the Fujitas were exceptional ! I fell in love with them !
Domo arigato gozaimashita ! Mina-sama, fuyu no sue made, ki to tsukete kudasai ne !

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On the occasion of the annual National Day Reception, hosted by the Consulate General of Japan in
Denver, the State of Colorado presented ConsulGeneral Ono with a Proclamation signed by Governor
Hickenlooper announcing 2013 as “THE YEAR OFOPPORTUNITY FOR ENHANCED RELATIONS,FRIENDSHIP, AND MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING
BETWEEN JAPAN AND THE STATE OF COLORADO”. The Proclamation cites this as being the 100 th
anniversary of Japan’s gift of cherry trees to theUnited States, the inauguration of non-stop flights
between Colorado and Japan, and the ongoing success of the JET Program, with strong participation by
Coloradoans, as contributing to ever-richer relations
between the two peoples.
While the state presents a Proclamation each year inhonor of the National Day Reception and the Emperor’s Birthday, this year is remarkable in the recognition given to the JET Program, and by extension to
the efforts of the Rocky Mountain JETAA chapter,whose members contribute so much to the JET Program and Colorado – Japan relations through their
participation in the recruiting and selection process
for JET and their cultural activities and sister city /sister state support efforts. Executive officers andboard members of the RMJETAA were in attendanceat the reception, along with members of the Japanesecommunity, business leaders, and Mayor Hancock of Denver.

WHEREAS, this occasion celebrates the National
Day and Birthday of the Emperor of Japan; andWHEREAS, this year marked the 100th anniversary of the gift in friendship of cherry trees fromJapan to the United States, and there were ceremonial plantings of new cherry trees from Japanat several locations in Colorado; andWHEREAS, this year marked another success inthe ongoing history of the Japan Exchange andTeaching (JET) Program, which has seen hundreds of participants from Colorado since 1987;
and
WHEREAS, this year, the first non-stop flightfrom Colorado to Japan was announced, an opportunity which has brought about renewed energy
and cooperation among community stakeholders
and an increase in cultural and economic exchanges between Japan and Colorado;
Therefore, I, John W. Hickenlooper, Governor of
the State of Colorado, do hereby proclaim the yearof 2013,
THE YEAR OF OPPORTUNITY FOR ENHANCED RELATIONS, FRIENDSHIP, AND MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING BETWEENJAPAN AND THE STATE OF COLORADO
GIVEN under my hand and the Executive
Seal of the State of Colorado, this third dayof December, 2012 in the State of Colorado.

John W. Hickenlooper
Governor

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A JET Alumni member has been helping the rebuilding in Tohoku
by providing useful information!
Rebuilding Tohoku is a website that is dedicatedto providing information about the changes thatare taking place in Japan in an effort to rebuild
the Tohoku area. This website is trying to create
a medium that consolidates information for all
subjects related to the rebuilding efforts including but not limited to energy, politics, economics,
tourism and philanthropy.
The website address: www.rebuildingtohoku.com

The site allows for visitors in Japan to join as
members and submit articles (in both Japaneseand English), pictures, videos, or documents on
various projects related to rebuilding Tohoku.
The site also reaches out to volunteers aroundthe world to support the translation of documents from Japanese to English in order to provide information usually not available outsideof Japan. The overall goal of the website is topromote projects related to rebuilding Tohoku
through providing information in the effort to
attract foreign direct investment into Japan
from overseas investors.
The website was created and operated by New
York-based Owen Rosa, a former JET from
Iwate Prefecture, who believes there is great
potential for investment in the future of Tohoku
and Japan.

Owen RosaJETAA New York
Iwate, 1999-2002

JAPAN LOCAL GOVERNMENT CENTER (CLAIR, NY)

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

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A new CLAIR Report, “Learning from successful financial reformin St. Lucie County, Florida”, has been released!
The global recession has severely affected not only the business community, but also local governmentsin the U.S. from the latter half of 2008. Despite the fact that a large number of local governments faced
serious financial difficulties, some of them could avert or overcome financial crisis. St. Lucie County,
Florida, is one successful example, due to their rapid response to the unfolding crisis.

Award ceremony for “County Leader of the Year”
at the 2011 National Association of Counties Annual Conference

St. Lucie County Commissioners, Ms. Outlaw,
Chairman of the Citizens Budget Committee, andNaomi Maki

Because of the global recession, St. Lucie County, Florida, encountered a serious financial crisis, facing
a $57 million operating deficit, double-digit unemployment, and one of the highest foreclosure rates in
the country. But, after just two years, the County has made great strides to resolve its financial problems, such as reducing its deficit by $26 million, and bringing unemployment down to 13.0 percent in2011, from 14.1 percent in 2010. One of the most important players is Ms. Faye Outlaw, MPA, St. Lucie’s County Administrator. She was selected as American City & County magazine’s County Leader of
the Year for 2011, and received the 2011 Career Excellence Award from the Florida City and County
Management Association. Her efforts have also attracted admiration from the state’s legislators.
Since 2007, the County has taken various steps to reduce expenses related to personnel including a hiring freeze, early retirement, voluntary layoffs, and involuntary layoffs. Also, some public services havebeen reduced in the effort to achieve a balanced budget. However, while cutting back budgets the County has not only maintained several core programs and services but also has increased some service levels by creating and enhancing public-private partnership. For example, the County has kept the Regional History Center open by utilizing volunteer staff, and has increased the frequency of controlled burns
on nature preserves by arranging for students enrolled in Indian River State College’s Public Safety

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A new CLAIR Report, “Learning from successful financial reformin St. Lucie County, Florida”, has been released!
Training Complex to help conduct them as part of their training. In addition, the County establishedthe Solar Energy Loan Fund and the Green Collar Task Force with local community leaders as a holistic approach to promoting both environmental sustainability and job creation. Not only do both programs help create and supply a market for Green Economy jobs, but they also provide renewable energy.
The key to success is summed up in the following comment by former St. Lucie County Commissioner
Chris Craft, “We started taking action toward fiscal sustainability six years ago. We built up a sizablesavings account, and as a result of that it has made it easier to implement many of the programs andbe successful with the leadership we have in place.”
The key factors were thorough program development based on foresight and great leadership to carryit out. Behind these results, there are good relationships of trust not only between the Board of County Commissioners (the Board) and County Administrator, but also the County government and local
community. Success could not afford to lose anyone. As the saying, “Rome wasn't built in a day” implies, success comes from adequate preparation and steady efforts.
The County is still in the process of financial reform and Ms. Outlaw still faces the challenge of continuing to achieve fiscal sustainability despite many difficulties. This report describes, through interviews with Ms. Outlaw and other stakeholders, how the County has overcome its financial difficulties
so far. I am proud to share St. Lucie County’s successful financial reforms with Japanese municipal
governments and hope the County can be like an adviser or friend to them as they work to overcome
similar problems.

CLAIR Report No. 376, “Learning from successful financial reform in St. Lucie County, Florida”
Summary in English
Full Version in JapaneseWith sincere gratitude to St. Lucie County for my report,
Naomi Maki, Assistant Director, Representative of the City of Hiroshima

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