The First State-Prefecture link in Australia
All Australian states except Tasmania now have a link with a
prefecture in Japan - NSW with Tokyo Metropolis, Queensland with
Saitama and Osaka Prefectures, South Australia with Okayama Prefecture,
Western Australia with Hyogo Prefecture and Victoria with Aichi
Prefecture. The first of these links was between Victoria and Aichi,
which celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2000. |
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Deborah, the groundskeeper of the Aichi Garden at Melbourne Zoo.
In 1996, Deborah was sent to Aichi to study
Japanese gardening techniques, after which she became the caretaker. |
The year before the official signing of the agreement, which occurred
on the 2nd of May 1980, the then Governor of Aichi Mr Nakaya, visited
Australia and met with the then Deputy Premier of Victoria, Mr Thompson,
to discuss the possibility of a link between the two regions. In February
1980 the official proposal came from Premier Hayman, which was approved
by Aichi, and in less than six months the agreement was signed.
The reason that Victoria's proposal was accepted so readily by Aichi,
is that both are considered centres of the manufacturing industry in
their respective countries. Many well-known companies such as Toyota
were founded in Aichi, and some of them can be found operating in Victoria.
So from the beginning, the link was based on economic relations, and
the fact that many similar industries are in operation.
Although this was Aichi Prefecture's first international link, Victoria
had previously signed an agreement with Jiangsu Province in China,
so it was decided to create a unique 'triangular' relationship, and
for Aichi to become a sister to Jiangsu also, in July 1980.
Before the links were officially signed, groups had visited Aichi
and Victoria, but after signing the agreement various other activities
were taking place. The Victorian Premier and Aichi Governor visited
Japan and Australia respectively, teachers and government employees
were also sent on exchange, and various research trips were made with
regards to contemporary government issues. In 1985, the 150th anniversary
of immigration to Victoria was commemorated, and as part of the celebrations
a Mikawa fireworks display was held. A Japanese garden in Melbourne
Zoo was built to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the link, decorated
with famous Aichi-made stone lanterns, which are often seen in traditional
Japanese gardens and shrines. Books relating to Japanese culture were
also on display at the Victorian State library. At the same time, an
Australian garden was completed in the forestry centre in Fujioka Town,
Aichi, which was opened by the Victorian Governor and his wife.
The strength of the link between the two regions is growing year
by year. So far there have been three sister city relationships cemented
between Aichi and Victorian towns (Obu and Port Phillip, Anjo and Hobsons
Bay and the recently established Chiryu and Wyndam), 25 sister schools
have been established, and 12 Aichi-based companies are opening branches
in Victoria. Aichi Primary school students visit Victoria regularly
to participate in local homestays and to experience Australian school
life. This "International Youth Goodwill Mission", is quite
an unusual program, considering the young age of the participants being
sent overseas.
In August 2000, to help to celebrate the anniversary of this link,
Aichi Governor Kanda and the Chairman of Aichi Prefectural Assembly
and their wives visited Australia. It became clear during these celebrations
that Premier Bracks of Victoria and Governor Kanda both value the significance
of this long term exchange and hope to continue this relationship into
the 21st Century.
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FACT
FILE
Aichi Prefecture
Population: 6,875,723
International Relations
Division, Aichi Prefecture
3-1-2 Sannomaru,
Naka-ku, Nagoya-shi,
Aichi-ken 460-8501
Tel. (052) 951-1809
Fax (052) 951-2590
http://www.pref.aichi.jp/index-e.html |
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