The theme of this year's seminar was "making the best of regional characteristics". 

The delegation included:

• Melissa Gibbs (delegation leader), Deputy Director, Australian Centre of Excellence for Local Government (Sydney, NSW)
• Councillor Keith Yong, City of Perth (WA)
• Laurie Mundt, Economic Development Manager, Ipswich City Council (Qld)
• Milinda Peris, Civic and International Relations Co-ordinator, Christchurch City Council (NZ)
• Penelope Sell, Community Services Manager, Towong Shire Council (Vic)
• Susan Jones, Human Resources and Administration Manager, District of Gore (NZ).
   

Delegates were well placed to offer ideas and suggestions to their Japanese local government colleagues about how regional centres can promote local products and attract jobs, new residents and investment by maximising regional strengths. 

ACELG is keen to share its research findings with CLAIR and Sakaide City, particularly in relation to the leadership role played by local government in developing regions, and research aimed at enhancing local government international alliances, to which CLAIR Sydney is contributing. 

Melissa Gibbs: "Australia, New Zealand and Japan have much to share and the Local Government Exchange and Co-operation Seminar offers opportunities for the formation of country-to-country, and perhaps most importantly, people-to-people relationships to underpin information and knowledge exchange."

Seminar participants with CLAIR Managing Director Left to right: Penelope Sell, Laurie Mundt, Melissa Gibbs, CLAIR Managing Director Norio Funayama, Susan Jones, Keith Tong, Milinda Peris

More Information

The Local Government Exchange and Co-operation Seminar has been operating since 1997. It brings together people from Japan, Australia and New Zealand working in local government to exchange information and experiences. The exchange presents a unique opportunity for Australian and New Zealand representatives to learn more about Japanese local government and culture through site visits, a home-stay experience with Japanese families, and formal and informal discussion sessions. 

Like many of its counterparts in Japan, Australia and New Zealand, Sakaide City is striving to build on its strengths to secure its sustainability amidst decreasing population levels and challenges in attracting and retaining an industrial and tourism base. On the positive side, the City boasts an impressive array of opportunities, including its location in the centre of Kagawa Prefecture on the island of Shikoku with good transport access to Honshu Island (the main island of Japan) via the striking Seto-Ohashi Bridge; agricultural products such as red sweet potato (kintoki-imo), red carrot (kintoki-ninjin) and red mandarin oranges (kintoki-mikan); a national reputation for producing high quality udon noodles made from high quality Australian wheat; and the spiritual Shikou Pilgrimage known for its 88 temple circuit and associated cultural heritage. 

Australian and New Zealand delegates were able to offer a number of ideas and opinions to assist Sakaide City in leveraging its many opportunities and addressing its challenges. Ideas included:

• Further engaging with citizens to develop a shared vision for the future of Sakaide City and developing plans and strategies toward this common vision
• Identifying and assisting to meet the needs of business; making it easier for businesses to relocate to Sakaide City; and providing and maintaining supporting infrastructure to retain the businesses already in the City
• Building on the positive relationship with Kagawa University to improve education opportunities for young people
• Providing recreation and education opportunities for families and young people so they don't need to travel outside of the City to access such facilities
• Packaging and integrating tourism experiences to the burgeoning market seeking cultural and spiritual experiences, particularly highlighting the Shikou Pilgrimage and associated activities
• Further promotion and development of tourism experiences focused on the Seto-Ohashi Bridge, which is an easily recognisable and internationally renowned landmark in the city
• Further developing local agricultural advantages through the promotion of red sweet potato (kintoki-imo), red carrot (kintoki-ninjin) and red mandarin oranges (kintoki-mikan), and the promotion of locally produced udon noodles
• Building on the sister city relationship with Sausalito in the Unites States.
   

For its part, ACELG is keen to share its research findings with CLAIR and Sakaide City, particularly in relation to the leadership role played by local government in developing regions, as well as research aimed at enhancing local government international alliances, to which CLAIR Sydney is contributing. 

Contact

Melissa Gibbs, Deputy Director ACELG | [email protected] | +61 2 9514 4890

Download media release

	Seminar participants with Sakaide City Officials		On top of the Seto-Ohashi Bridge
	The view from the top of the Seto-Ohashi bridge		Learning to play the Kyoto
	Seminar participants at the local udon noodle factory		Melissa Gibbs making a presentation on Australian local government to Sakaide City officials