International Exchage in SHIMONOSEKI

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE 2007 FISCAL YEAR (April 2007 -- February 2008)

>>Workshop for volunteer interpreters was conducted
February 17

"The 2007 fiscal year workshop for volunteer interpreters in Shimonoseki City" was held for volunteer interpreters in Shimonoseki City and registrants for hosting of home-stay or home-visit programs at the civic action center on February 17. Ms Hiroko Kashiwa, professional interpreter, was invited as an instructor at the workshop; and in the first session she delivered a lecture on various subjects for serving an interpreter-guide, and in the second session, the matters to be attended or hints for serving a guide in English in the castle town of Chofu were talked.

>>Ms Park Min-ju, winner of mayor prize of the 2007 Japanese speech contest of Shimonoseki City visited!--------February 14

Ms. Park Min-ju, winner of the mayor prize, enjoyed its extra prize "Traveling in Shimonoseki" from February 14 to 17. During her stay she had a taste of Shimonoseki, such as the opportunity to be dressed in historical costumes, promotion of friendship with Yosakoi group, and an experience of soaking in a hot spring in the city including a courtesy call at the city hall.

>>Delegation of 6 persons responsible for city planning of Istanbul City, Turkey called at the city--------February 12

The delegation of 6 persons in charge of city planning of Istanbul City visited the city hall after having arrived here on February 11. They had conferences with the planning and city planning section of the city respectively after they paid a courtesy call to have a pleasant talk with Mr. Yamamura, deputy mayor. On the same day they observed the monorail system in Kita-Kyushu City and the Kanmon Walker Submarine Tunnel.

>> Observation of Chofu district by delegation of responsible persons for city planning of Istanbul City, Turkey --------February 11

The delegation of 6 persons in charge of city planning of Istanbul City visited the city to observe Japanese traditional premises, such the Chofu Mori Residence and Kozanji temple, while they were staying in Japan as part of JICA personnel invitation project. They found an opportunity to be dressed in armor and historical costumes in the Chofu Mori Residence so that they caught a glimpse of the Shimonoseki history.

>> Visit of (second) tour party of undergraduates of Shanghai City for cultural exchange------February 2

The second tour party of 32 undergraduates of Shanghai City visited Shimonoseki. They were out for a stroll in the castle town of Chofu and found an opportunity to be dressed in summer kimono and historical costumes in the Chofu Garden so that they deepened their understanding of the Japanese traditional culture.

>> Winner of mayor prize of the 2006 Japanese speech contest of Shimonoseki City visited!--------February 1

Ms. An Hye Lim, winner of the mayor prize of the 2006 Japanese speech contest visited Shimonoseki City and participated in a cultural exchange gathering in which she introduced Korean festivals and its New Years plays to her acquainted persons of Yosakoi Bakan Kiheitai.
Ms. An Hye Lim enjoyed the extra prize of the aforesaid mayor prize, "Traveling in Shimonoseki" for a period of January 18 - 21, 2007.

>>Visit of tour party of undergraduates of Shanghai City for cultural exchange------ February 1

The tour party of 33 undergraduates of Shanghai City visited Shimonoseki. They found an opportunity to be dressed in summer kimono and historical costumes in the Chofu Garden so that they deepened their understanding of the Japanese traditional culture.

>> Visit of school excursion party of Xin Ying Middle School of Rizhao City, Shandong Province--------January 30

The tour party of 34 persons including teachers and students of Xin Ying Middle School of Rizhao City of Shandong Province (twinned with Yamaguchi Prefecture) visited on a school trip. Last July a similar excursion party of this school visited here to deepen exchanges with junior high schools in Shimonoseki. The photograph presented by the party as a token showed a representative painting of Rizhao City, one of the Chinas three largest modern painting origins.

>> Visit of exchange party of students of Qingdao University twinned with Shimonoseki City University--------January 23

The twinned universities have strengthened their friendly relations through programs such as student mutual exchange. This time the 15 persons-party including students and faculty of Qingdao University came by ferryboat. They boosted exchanges with students of the counterpart and made a visitation of prefectural facilities inclusive of the Tsunoshima Island.

>> The course on the Chinese culture lectured by coordinator for international relations of Qingdao City started!--------January 23

The course on the Chinese culture (total 5 sessions) guided by Ms. Jiang Jing, a coordinator for international relations of Qingdao City, our sister city, started. The course included description of Japanese and Chinese culture based on accessible and familiar topics. It was the first regular cultural course lectured by a coordinator for international relations.

>> The courses on Korean culture and language (intermediate) started!--------January 22

The courses on Korean culture (total 5 sessions) and language (total 10 intermediate sessions) instructed by Mr. Choi Gyu-chan, an exchange staff member of Busan Metropolitan City, our sister city, started. The cultural course included description of Japanese and Korean culture based on accessible and familiar matters such as meals and New Year holiday. It was the first regular cultural course instructed by international exchange staff member.

>> Students of Hamtae Junior High School of Hwangii-dong, Korea expanded their friendship with those of Nisshin Junior High School--------January 8

Students of Hamtae Junior Middle School of Hwangii-dong, Korea expanded their friendship with those of Nisshin Junior High School in the latter school. The party of the students was a training tour group to Japan of the Korean Youth League, and actively promoted friendship by enjoying together sweet bean-soups with rice cakes after observing the school building and club activities of their counterpart.

>> Courtesy call of members of Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteer (JOCY) of JICA on the Mayor of Shimonoseki before their departure--------December 18

Mr. Yuji Takeuchi (right; 29 years old) and Mr. Shusaku Takenaka (left; 29 years old), both of natives of Shimonoseki City, to be dispatched as members of the third corps of the 2007 JOCY of JICA paid a courtesy call on the mayor. Mr. Takeuchi was to teach science and mathematics in the Marshall Islands, while Mr. Takenaka was to coach sport (swimming) in Bangladesh. Their terms are respectively two years.
(*For JICA dispatched members of Shimonoseki natives, see also Here )

>>Visit of prize winners of "Small Kindness Movement" in Dalian City, China--------November 20

The Yamaguchi Bank had been inviting elementary school pupils who have done good deeds in Qingdao and Dalian City where the Bank had branch offices so as to propagate "Small Kindness Movement" as its social action program in China as well. This time school pupils of Dalian City paid a courtesy call on the mayor, and then promoted friendship in a school in the city.

>> Visit of observation party of parliament of Incheon Metropolitan City, Korea--------November 15

The delegation of the Incheon Metropolitan City Parliament visited Shimonoseki for observation of the Shimonoseki City Parliament.

>> The lecture meeting of the international relations of Shimonoseki City was held in the Shimonoseki Secondary School--------November 15

The lecture meeting of the outline and current state of the international relations of Shimonoseki City was held in the Shimonoseki Secondary School. Actual experiences of a coordinator for international relations of Qingdao City and exchange staff member of Busan Metropolitan City were talked.

>> The Tourism Department of the Organization for East Asia Economic Development (OEAED) had a meeting in Shimonoseki City --------November 18

The meeting was attended by about 150 persons involved with tourism in the member 10 cities of Japan, China and Korea, and it included the panel discussion and keynote speeches for tourism development in the those 10 cities.

>> Visit of prize winners of "Small Kindness Movement" in Qingdao City, China--------November 6

The Yamaguchi Bank had been inviting elementary school pupils who had done good deeds in Qingdao and Dalian City where the Bank had branch offices so as to propagate "Small Kindness Movement" as its social action program in China as well. This time school pupils of Qingdao City paid a courtesy call on the mayor, and then promoted friendship in a school in the city.

>> Shimonoseki Boy and Girl Chorus called on the deputy mayor for briefing of their public performance in Busan Metropolitan City--------November 5

The Shimonoseki Boy and Girl Chorus had participated in the Busan International Chorus Festival for two years running in Busan Metropolitan City, our sister city.

>> The executive committee of the Organization for East Asia Economic Development was assembled in Ulsan Metropolitan City, Korea --------October 30

The executive committee of the Organization for East Asia Economic Development was assembled in Ulsan Metropolitan City. The organization was intended to promote collectively cooperative ties for the development in the tourism, logistics, industry and environment fields in the 10 cities including Shimonoseki City in the neighboring three countries of the Yellow Sea.

>> Poster exhibition of member 10 cities of the Organization for East Asia Economic Development was held--------October 29

The Tourism Department of the Organization for East Asia Economic Development participated by the member 10 cities including Shimonoseki City of Japan, China and Korea was to hold a meeting in Shimonoseki city this year. In tune with the occasion of this meeting, the exhibition of posters for publicity of tourism for the member countries was held in the Sea Mall Shimonoseki. Sightseeing brochures of those cities were distributed.

>> Taiwanese tourist party to Japan visited Shimonoseki------October 27

A party of sightseeing tour arranged by a Taiwanese travel firm visited Shimonoseki. Representatives of Shimonoseki City and involved parties of Yamaguchi Prefecture both of whom have performed relevant activities to attract tourists joined in a welcome opportunity.

>> Continuation of friendly relationship between Toyota-cho of Shimonoseki City and Gong An Country of Hubei County was confirmed--------October 16

Toyota-cho of Shimonoseki City had established friendship with Gong An Country before the former was merged with Shimonoseki City, and the continuation of friendly relation was confirmed by the first visit of the latter representative after the merger.

>> Courtesy call of members of Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteer (JOCY) of JICA on the Mayor of Shimonoseki before their departure--------September 20

Ms. Kayoko Tsuruta, a native of Shimonoseki City, to be dispatched as a member of the second corps of the 2007 JOCY of JICA paid a courtesy call on the mayor. Ms. Tsuruta was to teach at elementary schools in Kenya for two years.
(*For JICA dispatched members of Shimonoseki natives, see also Here )

>> Setting of booth for tourist publicity of Shimonoseki in Busan International Tourism Exhibition--------September 6

The publicity of sightseeing and photography events for attracting tourists to Shimonoseki by use of Kanpu ferryboat was given in the Busan International Tourism Exhibition held in Busan Metropolitan City.

>> Commencement of passenger carriage by ferryboat between Shimonoseki and Suzhow City (Jiangsu Province, China)!--------August 30

Ferryboats in service between Shimonoseki and Taicang City (Suzhow, Jiangsu Province) started passenger carriage. On the day the first party of visitors called at Shimonoseki and enjoyed a pleasant day through experiences of cultural tea ceremony and putting on a Japanese summer kimono in the city.

>> The poster for tourist publicity of Shimonoseki city was commended in the general assembly of TPO(an international organization in tourism field)--------August 28

The third general assembly meeting of TPO(Tourism Promotion Organization for the Asia Pacific) was held in Guangzhou City, China. The tourist promotional activities during the meeting of participated 57 cities were assessed and the poster of international tourist publicity of Shimonoseki City earned the prize for the outstanding performance in the tourist advertisement (printed literature) department.

>> In commemoration of 400-year anniversary the big parade of Korean Mission to Japan was reproduced--------August 25

The parade of Korean Mission to Japan had been reproduced in the Bakan Festival every year, and this year the expanded parade was reproduced. Every year persons of Shimonoseki City and the cultural program organization in Busan Metropolitan City participated in the parade.

>> Filming in Shimonoseki of Korean KBS's popular TV show "Challenge! Golden Bell"--------August 25

Korean national TV network KBS's popular show "Challenge! Golden Bell" was filmed in Shimonoseki. The show was a quiz game; every week 100-high school students were contestants on the quiz program and prizes such as scholarship were given to one who was able to ring the Golden Bell by doing a final quiz after having won various quizzes. This time Korean and Japanese 50 students respectively participated and 50 pairs of each Korean and Japanese student were to answer quiz questions. Both of those students challenged the show after having enhanced teamwork spirits by lodging together over the previous night for exchanging friendship.

>> Entry of Qingdao DongSheng Female Chorus into Bakan Festival!--------August 25

The DongSheng Female Chorus of Qingdao City, our sister city, joined in the Bakan Festival to provide local people their beautiful performances three times for two days. On August 11, the Yosakoi group "Bakan Kiheitai" made a guest appearance in the widely-known festival "Qingdao Beer Festival" held in Qingdao City. It was suitable for the year of exchanging Japanese and Chinese culture and sports.

>> Friendship mission of Qingdao City visited Shimonoseki City--------August 24

The friendship mission (led by Mr. Ren Qunxian) of Qingdao City, our sister city, visited for observing the city administration. They also joined in the Festival together with the Qingdao DongSheng Female Chorus performed in the Festival.

>> Elementary school pupils of the City were sent for training to Qingdao City twinned with the City--------August 19

Elementary school pupils of the city were sent to Qingdao City as part of the youth dispatching program of Shimonoseki City for promoting young people international understanding. They deepened their understanding about the foreign country through their various experiences.

>> Performance of Yosakoi group in the Qingdao Beer Festival--------August 10

The Yosakoi group "Bakan Kiheitai" made a guest appearance in the widely-known festival "Qingdao Beer Festival" held in Qingdao City. They showed off their vibrant dance.

>> A group of young people of the City were sent for training to Qingdao City twinned with the City--------August 10

Young people were sent to Qingdao City as part of the youth dispatching program of Shimonoseki City for promoting international understanding of citizens.

>> Visit of elementary school pupils of Shandong Province twinned with Yamaguchi Prefecture on a school trip to Shimonoseki--------August 6

Elemental school pupils of Jinan City, Shandong Province visited. They showed off calligraphy and dances, while flower arrangements and tea ceremony were demonstrated by the counterpart of the City in the municipal Katsuyama Elementary School in the City.

>> Junior high school students of the City were sent for training to Pittsburg City twinned with the City--------August 6

Junior high school students of the City were sent to Pittsburg City (California State, USA) as part of the youth dispatching program of the City for promoting international understanding of young people. They deepened their understanding about real USA through their various experiences including home-stay.

>> Elementary school pupils of the City were sent for training to Busan Metropolitan City twinned with the City--------August 5

Elementary school pupils of the city were sent to Busan Metropolitan City as part of the youth dispatching program of the City for promoting international understanding of young people. They deepened their understanding about Korea through their various experiences.

>> Middle school students of Shandong Province twinned with Yamaguchi Prefecture on a school trip visited Shimonoseki--------August 1

Middle school students of Xing Ying, Rizhao City, Shandong Province called on a school trip at Shimonoseki and enjoyed the tea ceremony and dances together with their counterpart in the Shimonoseki Secondary School.

>> The third school excursion party of undergraduates of Shanghai City for cultural exchange visited Shimonoseki--------July 31

The third school excursion party of undergraduates of Shanghai City visited Shimonoseki. They experienced Japanese traditional culture and exchanged candid views about mutual lifestyle with the counterpart of Shimonoseki City University.

>> High school students of Shandong Province twinned with Yamaguchi Prefecture visited Shimonoseki on a school trip--------July 30

Students of the experimental high school (equivalent to Japanese high school) of Shandong Province visited on a school trip. They maintained friendly relations between two schools in the Shimonoseki Secondary School.

>> Ms. Jiang Jing, a coordinator for international relations of Qingdao City twinned with the City joined the workshop of resident association of Toyota-cho of the City--July 24

Ms. Jiang Jing, a coordinator for international relations of Qingdao City, joined the workshop of resident association of Toyota-cho to provide Chinese culture and the session of simple Chinese language.

>> The second school excursion party of undergraduates of Shanghai City visited Shimonoseki--------July 19

The school excursion party of undergraduates of Shanghai City and its neighborhood visited Shimonoseki and had relationship with their counterparts of Baiko Gakuin University and foreign students. They also experienced Japanese traditional culture.

>> Aged party of Qingdao City visited for exchange of friendship--------July 16

The aged party of Qingdao City visited for exchange of friendship, and expanded the wave of cultural exchange through experiences of putting on Japanese kimono or practicing Taijiquan.

>> "Course on Demand" was chaired by exchange staff member of Busan Metropolitan City in Oue Elementary School--------July 13

Mr. Choi Gyu-chan, an exchange staff member of Busan Metropolitan City, our sister city, chaired the course of lecture on demand in Oue Elementary School. The lecture was about an introduction to Korea as well as basic Hangeul.

>> Delegation of urban management of Qingdao City twinned with the City for observation of relevant facilities in the City--------July 9

The administrative delegation of the urban development of Qingdao City visited and discussed about parking facilities in urban districts.

>> The school excursion party of undergraduates of Shanghai City visited Shimonoseki--------July 8

The school excursion party of undergraduates of Shanghai City visited Shimonoseki and deepened their friendship with their counterparts of the Shimonoseki City University and foreign students. They also went through an experience of putting on Japanese summer kimonos or viewing Japanese dances.

>> Aged party of Qingdao City visited for cultural exchange--------June 28

This was the third aged party of Qingdao City so far this year. They expanded the wave of cultural exchange through experiences of Japanese calligraphy, putting on Japanese kimono or practicing Japanese Heike dance.

>> Opening of "Japan Week 2007" (Qingdao International Tourism Expo) was celebrated in Qingdao City!--------June 24

It was the international tourism exhibition held every year in Qingdao City, our sister city. A booth for the sightseeing publicity was provided by the City as a friendly city so that attracting tourists from overseas might be advertised.

>> Tour group of Qingdao City, our sister city, visited Shimonoseki--------June 20

They were a tour group related to a business firm of the city and arrived by ferry.

>> Courtesy call of members of Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteer (JOCY) of JICA on Shimonoseki Mayor before their departure--------June 13

Mr. Shintaro Kanemoto (26 years old) and Mr. Yuji Maeda (25 years old), both of natives of Shimonoseki city, to be dispatched as members of the first corps of the 2007 JOCY of JICA paid a courtesy call on the mayor. Mr. Kanemoto was to teach in Niger, while Mr. Maeda was to instruct car maintenance in Kenya. Their terms are respectively two years.
( >> For JICA dispatched members of Shimonoseki natives, see also Here )

>> The aged party of Qingdao City visited for cultural exchange--------June 2

The party came by ferry and went to see the city sight. They deepened friendship with their counterpart of the City by exchanging bilaterally cultural and performance arts.

>> Korean language course lectured by staff member dispatched by Busan Metropolitan City, our sister city, started--------June

The course on Korean language (total 10 sessions) lectured by Mr. Choi Gyu-chan, a staff member dispatched by Busan Metropolitan City started.

>> Chinese language course lectured by coordinator for international relations started-------- June

The course on Chinese language (total 10 sessions) lectured by Ms Jiang Jing, a coordinator for international relations of Qingdao City, our sister city, started.

>> Yosakoi group "Bakan Kiheitai" of Shimonoseki performed as guest in the festival exhibition of Busan Metropolitan City--------May 3

Yosakoi group "Bakan Kiheitai" of Shimonoseki performed in the festival exhibition held in Busan Metropolitan City, our sister city. The exhibition is intended to advertise Korean various festivals, and the "Strait Festival","Bakan Festival" and the "Strait Fire Festival" were given publicity there by the City.

>> Mr. Ben Johnson, Mayor of Pittsburg, visited Shimonoseki--------April 28

Mr. Ben Johnson, the Mayor of Pittsburg, our sister city, visited Shimonoseki. He maintained direct interchanges with citizens by enjoying the strait festival and calling at a school.

>> Courtesy call of Ms Miyako Ito, member of Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteer (JOCY) of JICA for briefing of return home-------- April 27

Ms. Miyako Ito who had been dispatched as a member of the JOCY corps of JICA briefed her return-home report at the city hall. She had taught as an assistant teacher for environmental education and chaired a course of making recycle paper at a high school in Costa Rica.
( >> For JICA dispatched members of Shimonoseki natives, see also Here )

>> School excursion group of Namhae Sangju Middle School visited the city hall--------April 23

The students of the Namhae Sangju Middle School of Gyeongsangnam-do (next to Busan Metropolitan City) visited on a school trip. With as a start of their having exchanged with persons of a business firm of Shimonoseki city, the same sent their students on a school trip to Shimonoseki every year.

>> The aged party of Qingdao City visited for commemoration of cultural and sports exchange between Japan and China--------April 18

They had a flavor of Japanese traditional culture by being dressed in a kimono and enjoying Heike dance, while they showed off their performance of singing and practicing Taijiquan.

>> Exhibition of posters drawn by pupils of Japanese school in Busan was mounted!--------April 16

Pupils (the third and fourth grade) of Japanese elementary school in Busan Metropolitan City expanded their exchanges with the local community by going through on-site training in order to learn the history and culture of Busan, and painted pictures based on their impression of their exchanges. The exhibition was mounted at the request of the head teacher of the school to the effect that the results of their learning would be shown in Japan for further understanding of Busan.

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