International
Exchange Advancement Project
A Global Connection
- Towards the Creation of a Vibrant, Beautiful Fukushima.
Fukushima Prefecture, whilst initiating a variety of exchanges with
various regions of the world, also looks to create a network of information,
goods and people with a rounded global understanding.
As we progress towards laying the foundations to a society dedicated to
peaceful co-existence, respectful of individual cultures and values, we
also aim to create a region that is suitable as a staging ground for global
exchange.
These basic ideals are contained in the Internationalization Promotion
Plan of Fukushima Prefecture,which aims to coordinate the efforts of the
cities, towns and villages of Fukushima Prefecture, along with various
related organizations, private enterprises and the citizens themselves.
We hope to unite the strands of these various policies and activities which
are helping to advance the internationalization of Fukushima as we approach
the 21st century.
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An outline of
the major international projects currently being undertaken:
- The Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme.
- A large scale project currently in its thirteenth year, the JET programme
is administered jointly by the Ministries of Home Affairs, Education and
Foreign Affairs.
The programme invites participants from overseas to live and work in Japan,
assisting with regional level exchange and English language instruction.
- International Exchange Advancement Project.
- Culminates annually in October with Fukushima International Month.
Representatives from the prefecture's cities, towns and villages, together
with various related organizations, hold various events throughout the
four weeks, exchanging information concerning internationalization projects.
- Current exchange agreements with regions and municipalities around
the globe.
- Province of British Columbia, Canada (Agreement ratified 27th October
1993)
- Province of Hubei, P.R.China (Agreement ratified 31st May 1994)
- In addition, 22 municipalities within the prefecture are linked with
29 regions overseas, and are currently enjoying sister-city or friendly
cooperation exchanges.
- Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers support activities.
- Assistance is given in the form of application explanation seminars,
information bulletins and the implementation of the Global Understanding
Roadshow, stimulating local interest in the programme.
Overseas Technical Trainee Programme.
- Overseas Technical Trainee Programme.
- Participants selected from Asia, Africa, South and Central America
study in Fukushima for 10 months.
- Foreign Student Programme.
- Descendants from former Fukushima-born emigrants to Central and Southern
America come to the prefecture for a year to study advanced techniques
which can then be implemented in their home countries.
- The Foundation of a Global Citizen Network.
- The foreign participants of all the projects detailed above form part
of what is known as the Global Citizen Network, facilitating exchange with
local residents actively involved with internationalization.
Correspondence address:
International Affairs Division, Fukushima Prefectural Government,2-16 Sugitsumacho,
Fukushima City, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan 960-8670
Tel: (Int.+81) 024-521-7182 Fax 024-521-7919 e-mail: interaff@pref.fukushima.jp
