Chiba Update
Spring 2020

CONTENTS
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Welcome to the Spring Edition ofChiba Update!
Our greatest intention for each andevery one across the globe who areexperiencing greatest challenge ineveryday living and in careers amidst
the Novel Coronavirus.
Despite the on-going international
crisis, Japan has welcomed the new
fiscal year 2020. In the midst of it all,government and local organizations
are fully vigilant to ensure the safetyof the local public and making surethat they have the best interest andall the possible preventive measures
are being implemented to avoid thefurther spread of COVID-19.
In Chiba, similar to many otherplaces, majority of events werecancelled or postponed. Despite
mutual cooperation of the citizen
and the and enormous effort of local
and national government to containthe virus, the number of infected
people has continued to rise. In thiscrucial time, the call for togetherness
and even stronger bind are crucial tocombat this greatest challenge theworld and event industry are facing.

34Greetings
Convenient Conventions 101
Arts and Culture Uniquely Chiba
What’s Up?
Tokyo 2020 Postponed to 2021
‘Chibanian’ as Officially Name of an Era
CCB on IME 2020
Go Global
Chiba Incentive Seminar in Malaysia
Chiba Business Event Destination Seminar in India
Chiba Explore
An Old Neighborhood Called ‘Hasuike’Culture
Golden Week in Japan

Convenient Conventions 101

Arts and Culture Uniquely Chiba
Are you up to local entertainment? There aremany Chiba-exclusive entertainments thatwill surely add-ups to your amazing Japan
experience:
Nanso Satomi Hakkenden
Also known as the chronicle of the eight dogs.
A puppet show originated in Awa fromSengaku period about 800 years ago. The
story depicted the overflowing romance ofthe heroine, Boso Satomi.

As we anticipate for the situation toimprove, please let assure that Chiba
Convention Bureau is all out tosupport global event organizers withutmost best as we continued toprovide best assistance possible.

Knife Ceremony
A very rare ceremony performed at Takabe
Shrine in Boso Peninsula. It is a solemn
ceremony that passed on tradition ofJapanese cuisine that allows audience toobserve skilled knife handling based on
ancient rites where offering is cut efficiently
without touching a hand to keep thepureness since its for the Gods.

Once again, it is our pleasure to bring
you the latest happenings. Throughthis edition, we hope you will learn
more about us and will look forward
to more upcoming issues.

Urayasu Musical Accompaniment
A group of performers who uses different
Japanese traditional musical instruments intheir theatrical dance, lion dance, and moreperformances.

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WHAT’S UP?

Tokyo 2020 Postponed to 2021

The International Committee, International Paralympic Committee, Tokyo 2020 Organizing Committee, Tokyo Government,
and Japan agreed that the Olympic and Paralympic Games be rescheduled to 2021 amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
Originally scheduled to take place between July 24 and August 9, 2020, the Olympic Games will be held from July 23 toAugust 8, 2021 and Paralympic Games between August 24 and September 5, 2021, - one year away from the originalschedule. The XXXII Olympic will be keeping the name ‘Tokyo 2020’.
The rescheduling is to safeguard the health of the athletes, the people involved and the international community.
https://tokyo2020.org/en/news/joint-statement-from-international-olympic-committee-and-tokyo2020‘Chibanian’, is the name of an era
The International Union of Geological Sciences has formally adopted‘Chibanian’ as the name of a geological era. The announcement was held
during the executive meeting held in Busan, South Korea on Jan. 17, 2020. The
naming is for the stratum section found in Chiba Prefecture which shows
evidence of the most recent reversal of earth’s magnetic field which plays avital reference point for studying the geological period boundary believed to
be 774,000 years old. Chibanian Age is the first time Japan has been presented
in a geological age.

Above is the stratum section that has beenrecognized as important reference in thestudy of geological period boundary
officially recognized as ‘Chibanian’ era.

Ichihara City where the stratum is located welcomed the news withconfidence and anticipate with any positive effects the recognition to bring in
the growth of the local economy.
More details (Japanese only):https://www.city.ichihara.chiba.jp/bunka/bunkabunkazaitop/gssp.html

Chiba on IME 2020
The Japan National Tourism Organization continued its effort to promote Japanas international tourism and business event destination. Aline with theintention are programs in which IME2020 is part of. IME is an opportunity forpeople in the event industry to gather together for a fruitful businessencounter. The event is one of Japan’s major business event expos which aim
to promote and attract international and domestic conferences, academic
meetings, general assemblies, corporate meetings, and incentive tours. Thisyear, IME2020 was held at Tokyo International Forum on Feb. 26, and has
attracted a considerably high attendance from both buyer and seller sector.
The event also showcased an award ceremony and seminars.
By participating in the aforementioned, Chiba Convention Bureau anticipatesfor more positive business opportunities while engaging in Chiba promotion
as convention venue as well as business meeting and incentive tourdestination.
JNTO Best International Convention Awards has been awarded to Chiba-heldconference, the 9th International Discussion Meeting on Relaxations inComplex System
The 9th International Discussion Meeting on Relaxations in Complex System isamong the conferences that had been recognized as JNTO Best International
Convention awardees. 9IDMRCS will be held at Makuhari Messe and expects
to welcome a total of about 900 participants from 20 different countries andregion worldwide. Please refer to the HP for schedule and other related
information: Homepage Link: https://9idmrcs.jp/2

GO GLOBAL

Chiba Incentive Seminar in Malaysia

With the aim of promoting Chiba as Japan’s incentive destination, Chiba
Prefecture, Chiba Convention Bureau, Sakura City, Chiba-based hotels, Hotel
Nikko Narita and Keisei Hotel Miramare as well as advertising agent PLUS ONE,in cooperation with JNTO Malaysia had visited Kuala Lumpur Malaysia forChiba Incentive Seminar. The event that showcased seminars and businessforums focused on Chiba’s advantages as destination as well as topics
concerning the prefectural inbound tourism was held at Grand Millennium
Kuala Lumpur on February 16 to 20, 2020.
The seminar is without a doubt another positive step for Chiba to create ahealthy relationship with business entities in Kuala Lumpur and expect to bringmore business advantages in the future.

Chiba Business Event Destination Seminar in India
The number of incentive tour travelers from India to Japan has increased
rapidly in recent years. However, Chiba remains unpopular destination to manyof the citizens, and in which somehow known as ‘somewhere close to Tokyo orNarita Airport. In order to enhance knowledge to the wider Indian market
about the prefecture, Chiba Convention Bureau held the ‘Business Event
Destination Seminar in India’, first time in India on February 20, 2020. The event
is in cooperation with the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) New
Delhi Office. The event has successfully attracted 20 representatives fromvarious travel agencies in the New Delhi metropolitan area.
The seminar that was mainly focused on the infrastructural capabilities of Chiba
as business event destination has showcased introduction of various facilities
such as Makuhari Messe and Kazusa Akademia. It also included presentation ofChiba’s natural resources such as cherry blossoms with Chiba Castle at thebackground, a stunning view of a trolley train passing through a beautiful rape
blossoms field, the magnificent beach and emerald ocean, and the extravagant
view of the autumn leaves of Yoro Valley were just some that truly impressed
the audience.
With its growing trend of manufacturing industry in Japan, CCB expects more
incentive groups coming to Chiba.

An old neighborhood called ‘Hasuike’

CHIBA EXLPORE

In the heart of Chiba Prefecture’s capital Chiba City situated an old districtknown as ‘Hasuike’. Literally means ‘lotus pond’, this area was once an oasis for
Samurais and merchants who are seeking place to relax and unwind.
Hasuike was most popular some more than hundred years ago from Taisho toShowa Era and was known as the ‘district of Geisha’. Back then, people fromthe neighboring towns came all the way to Hasuike with their horses andcarriages for food, drinks, and entertainment. Japanese women known as
geisha which translate specifically as “woman art” entertained visitors throughperformance of ancient traditions of art, dance and music. As the economy
prosper, Hasuike became the epicenter of economy where majortransportation and establishments were built.
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As the grow continued and the area were expanded reaching up to the ocean
which resulted to the development and reclamation of a new district. To bringpeople closer to the new site, the city office has been relocated and the major
train station has been transferred leaving less people in the old district.
At present, nestled behind the busy street where high rise buildings andmodern establishments is an old settling of samurai Japan of few shops of overhundred years old stood. Yet the name ‘Hasuike’ is now unfamiliar, this oncea red-light district remained in the heart of each villager, and the story which
for them seems just yesterday continued to be told today and up to thegenerations to come.
Around Hasuike district are unique venues for business events namely Chiba
City Museum of Arts, Folk Museum, and more that include shops that are
uniquely Chiba.
Dig deeper into the heart of Hasuike: (automatic translation)
https://www.chibacity-ta.or.jp/5beach/hasuikeeomoiwohasete

CULTURE

Golden Week in Japan

How many days is the longest holiday in your country? In Japan, we have what
we called ‘Golden Week’. Interesting name isn’t it? Golden Week is a collectionof holidays that starts on April 29 until May 5. For many, this is one of the mostawaited time of year where people go away on vacation. Speaking of vacation,
when everyone takes a holiday all at once what should expect to happen? Ofcourse heavy congestion and if the plan is to go overseas, then better reserveearly for an extra cost.
4 major holidays of Golden Week:
Showa Day
Celebrates annually on April 29. Showa day is to commemorate the birthday ofShowa emperor. This is also to encourage reflection upon the intense time inJapan, Showa Era (1929-1989)
Constitution Memorial Day
Celebrated annually on May 3. This is to commemorate the promulgation of the1947 Constitution.
Green Day
Celebrated annually on May 4.
Greenery Day is to celebrate appreciation of the Mother Nature’s wonders.
Children’s Day
Celebrated annually on May 5. Houses with boy/s child/ren hang carp streameror samurai helmet to symbolize prayer for the child good health and courage.

Let’s join hand-in-hand, stand tall as we emerge together from this unprecedented time.

Chiba Convention Bureau and International Center
14F Marive East, World Business Garden
2-6 Nakase, Mihama-ku, Chiba City Chiba Prefecture, 261-7114 Japan
Tel: +81-43-297-2752 Fax: +81-43-297-2753
Homepage: http://www.ccb.or.jp/mice/e/ Email: request@ccb.or.jp

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