20/06/2011
City generic top-level domains (gTLDs) such as .tokyo came a step closer today as the global registry for domain names ICANN approved the biggest shake-up in years at its annual conference in Singapore. The decision, which follows six years of discussions, paves the way for cities and regions to apply to register for gTLDs such […]
09/06/2011
Last night a reception was held by Mr. Takeaki Matsumoto, Minister for Foreign Affairs, to support international exchanges of cities across the country at Iikura House, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tokyo. Attended by the members of the Diplomatic Corps in Tokyo, mayors of cities across the country, and other officials, the attendants exchanged […]
08/06/2011
Insights into Japan: training in place
In the UK it’s often said that in a recession the first two spends to be cut in local government are staff training and PR. Interestingly in Japan, investment in both remains steady through the Japan Academy for Municipal Personnel (supervised by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications), which runs courses year round for […]
06/06/2011
Great East Japan Earthquake Memorial Service at Westminster Abbey
The Great East Japan Earthquake Memorial Service was held at Westminster Abbey yesterday evening. A floral tribute was laid at the Innocent Victims’ Memorial during the Act of Remembrance and sermons and prayers were offered for the victims of the disaster. The service also featured several speeches and testimonies given by those in attendance, including […]
03/06/2011
Sendai City and Kitakyushu City, open for business
The cities of Kitakyushu and Sendai in Japan have both released letters in English to people overseas in response to the March 11 earthquake and tsunami in order to ease fears over their local produce and to encourage tourists to return. Kenji Kitahashi, the mayor of Kitakyushi City, thanked those who had sent messages of […]
01/06/2011
Business Secretary Vince Cable visits Japan to promote trade with the UK
UKTI has posted that Business Secretary Vince Cable arrived in Japan today with a high-level business delegation consisting of a number of large UK firms; British Airways, PA Consulting Group, Thales UK, BAE Systems and the CBI. According to the article, Vince Cable said: “The earthquake has not damaged this relationship in any way. If […]
01/06/2011
The Tokyo Foundation muses on Japan’s response to the March 11 disaster
The Tokyo Foundation, a non-profit think-tank, have published a series of articles in their latest newsletter on the earthquake and tsunami of March 11. The articles explore the ‘the economic consequences of the disaster, approaches to dealing with the expected power shortage, and the political agenda the Kan administration should pursue.’ The Tokyo Foundation have […]
31/05/2011
Innovative Yokohama plan aims to conserve greenery
The latest news digest by the website Urbanicity includes a mention of the efforts of the city of Yokohama in relation to environmental stewardship for the conservation of biodiverse habitats: The city of Yokohama, the capital of ICLEI Member Kanagawa Prefecture, has developed new tax mechanisms and participative approaches to conserve privately-owned green areas and […]
31/05/2011
JLGC staff visited the Isle of Man for the first time last week, in what is hoped to begin a new relationship and understanding of the Crown Dependency, a self-governing island associated with the United Kingdom. Staff met with senior officials of the Isle of Man Government, including Treasury Minister Anne Craine MHK. Discussions covered […]
25/05/2011
Fukushima and Iwate Prefectures reach out to world
Fukushima International Association has published the second issue of its Gyro newsletter in English, Japanese and Chinese. The newsletter is published to show both the current situation in Fukushima Prefecture following the earthquake and tsunami of March 11 and the activities of local international exchange groups and foreign residents in the area. The second issue […]
