2006/07 Edinburgh

Activities and Events

Japan Day Seminar

2006/07 Edinburgh

The Japan Day Seminar is an annual event organised by the Japan Local Government Centre to raise awareness of Japan and Japanese local government among UK local government officials and related organisations, as well as providing an opportunity for the exchange of ideas and information and the creation of lasting links between the two nations, their cities and local governments.

  • Event : Japan Day Seminar
  • Date : Tuesday 30th January 2007 (13:30-17:00, reception 17:30-19:00)
  • Venue : Edinburgh City Chambers, High Street, Edinburgh
  • Theme : ‘Decentralisation, Devolution and Delivery – Local Government in the 21st Century’

The Seminar aims to bring together interested parties from the British Government, local authorities and academics as well as Japanese government bodies, organisations and companies in the UK. It also provides an opportunity for participants to exchange information and ideas on an international level. We hope to strengthen the exchange and relationships between the UK and Japan through this event. This event is jointly hosted by JLGC and the Consulate General of Japan in Edinburgh.

Speakers include:

  • Mr Shuhei Takahashi, Consul General, Consulate General of Japan in Edinburgh (Japan-UK Relations Past, Present and Future; Twinned Relations in Scotland and Northern England)
  • Cllr Pat Watters, President, Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA)
  • Mr Rory Mair, Chief Executive, COSLA (How Local Government is Responding to the Change Agenda)
  • Mr Shigeru Naiki, Director, Japan Local Government Centre (Recent Developments in Japanese Local Government)
  • Mr Mark Turley, Director of Services for Communities, Edinburgh City Council (Making Edinburgh Cleaner, Greener, Safer, Better)
  • Mr John Lindsay MBE, Chief Executive, East Lothian Council (Impressions of Japanese Local Government and Experiences of Japan)
  • Mr George Lyon MSP, Deputy Minister for Finance, Public Service Reform and Parliamentary Business (Reforming Public Services in Scotland)