10月9日（水）、大津商工会議所の河本英典副会頭をはじめとする大津市訪問団が、滋賀県大津市と友好提携しているニューサウスウェールズ州モスマン市のコリガン・キャロリン市長を表敬訪問し、大津市長からの親書を同市長へ手渡しました。訪問団は、市長に温かく迎えられ、モスマン市庁舎では、議場を案内していただき、さらに、モスマン市が誇るモスマンアートギャラリーも案内していただきました。
クレアシドニー事務所は、モスマン市への同行支援を行ったほか、モスマン市訪問の前日に事務所訪問を受け、オーストラリアの政治・経済・社会などの状況を説明し、意見交換を行いました。
来年は、両市の友好交流が始まって10年目の節目の年を迎えます。クレアシドニー事務所は、これからも両市の友好交流をサポートしていきます。
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Newsletter No.201を掲載いたしました。
Ehime Prefecture is located along Japan’s Seto Inland Sea and is home to approximately 1.27 million people. It is known for its warm climate and outstanding scenic beauty, along with its long history of citrus cultivation. The prefecture is made up of many islands, with the unique landscape of the Seto Inland Sea spreading throughout. In recent years, Ehime has become increasingly popular as a tourist destination, welcoming many domestic and international visitors all year round.
In 2027, Ehime Prefecture will host “Velo-city,” an international bicycle conference, for the first time in Japan. Velo-city is one of the largest academic conferences, bringing bicycle companies, researchers, and experts together from around the world. While discussing various topics including tourism, safety, and urban planning, participants can enjoy the cityscape of Matsuyama through a bicycle parade and will also be able to visit other parts of the prefecture via ‘technical visits’ (explained below).
In recent years, Ehime Prefecture has become one of the leading centers of bicycle culture in Japan. Many local residents begin riding bicycles at a very young age, and the majority of high school students commute to school by bike. Furthermore, the prefecture boasts Japan’s highest helmet-wearing rate, demonstrating strong safety awareness throughout the community. This well-established environment, which allows people of all ages to use bicycles safely on a daily basis, positions Ehime Prefecture as a center of Japan’s bicycle culture.
Technical visits are guided tours that allow participants to explore various locations throughout the prefecture during Velo-city, featuring multiple courses with different themes. There is a course to learn about the infrastructure and scenery of the “Shimanami Kaido,” Japan’s representative maritime cycling route; a course to study safety education initiatives in schools by observing Japan’s typical morning school commute; and a course to experience the “Henro,” a pilgrimage to Buddhist temples, by bicycle. By participating in these technical visits and experiencing the local atmosphere, participants can gain valuable insights into the prefecture’s bicycle policies firsthand.
On the second day (Wednesday, 26 May 2027), a spectacular bicycle parade will fill the city center. While showcasing the prefecture’s appeal as an international model bicycle city, the event will provide a chance for all participants to experience and share how bicycles act as a catalyst for regional revitalisation, bringing new possibilities for future urban space allocation, health, a sense of purpose in life, and friendship.
During the four-day event, approximately 80 plenary breakout sessions will be held at the venue, with discussions centered around key themes and priorities. The conference program content will be determined by selecting proposals submitted during the abstract submission period, which begins in September. To encourage active exchange of diverse perspectives, Ehime welcomes a large number of submissions. Participants are invited to apply and help make this event a success.
Recently, I had the opportunity to attend an awards ceremony recognising outstanding achievement in Japanese-related studies, hosted by the Australia-Japan Society of NSW (AJS-NSW).
On the day
, certificates were presented to seven outstanding students nominated by seven universities[1] in the Greater Sydney region, and each recipient delivered a speech.
All of the award recipients shared reflections along similar lines, such as: “Thanks to studying Japanese, I’ve had incredible experiences, like studying at a Japanese university through an exchange program and making friends from diverse backgrounds, that have truly changed my life.” Another common sentiment was: “Looking ahead, I hope to pursue a career related to Japan or possibly live there in the future, so I will continue to work hard to achieve these goals.”
Learning and mastering a language other than one’s mother tongue is by no means an easy task. First and foremost, I would like to express my deep respect to the award recipients for their dedicated commitment to studying Japanese.
I am also delighted that their language studies have sparked such a strong interest in Japan and a genuine desire to deepen their understanding. I was deeply impressed by their determination to maintain a connection with Japan long after graduation.
On a personal note, I moved to Sydney last July, my first time living abroad, and I must admit that I still find speaking English challenging at times. However, seeing the dedication of the award recipients has inspired me to renew my own efforts. By conversing and connecting with others in English, I hope to further deepen my understanding of the local people, culture, and values in this region.
[1] The seven universities were Macquarie University, The University of Newcastle, University of New England, University of Technology Sydney (UTS), The University of New South Wales (UNSW), The University of Sydney, and Western Sydney University.
Newsletter 5月特別号を掲載しました。
Nagoya City, located in central Japan, is the political, economic, and cultural hub of the Chubu region, and is home to more than 2.3 million people. Positioned between Tokyo and Osaka, and with a major Shinkansen stop, the city offers excellent access from all parts of the country. This year, Nagoya will host two major international sporting events: the 20th Asia Games, Asia’s largest festival of peace and sports, in September, followed by the 5th Asia Para Games, the region’s biggest comprehensive sports event for athletes with disabilities, in October.
This region has long thrived as a centre of high-quality, skill-intensive manufacturing. Anchored by Toyota, one of the world’s leading automobile manufacturers, the area has developed a dense concentration of automotive industries, making it one of Japan’s most prominent industrial hubs. Nagoya Port further strengthens this position, serving as a key gateway for Japan’s trade and boasting the highest cargo volume of any port in the country.Nagoya also has deep historical significance.
The city is known as the birthplace of many influential warlords who shaped Japanese history. Its most iconic landmark, Nagoya Castle, stands as a symbol of this heritage. The castle’s golden ‘Kinshachi’, the shimmering tiger‑headed carp ornaments adorning its roof, gleam brilliantly against the blue sky, leaving a lasting impression on visitors.
Nagoya’s vibrant food culture is one of its major attractions. Known collectively as Nagoya Meshi, the local cuisine features distinctive dishes such as hitsumabushi, miso katsu, and tebasaki, flavours that draw visitors from near and far.
The city is also gaining popularity as a tourist’s destination. Ghibli Park, which opened in 2022, brings the enchanting world of Studio Ghibli to life and has quickly become a favourite spot for visitors from Japan and abroad. In addition, the World Cosplay Summit, held annually in Nagoya, is a flagship event celebrating Japanese subculture and attracts passionate fans from around the world.
Nagoya City established a sister city relationship with Sydney, Australia, in 1980, and 2025 marked the 45th anniversary of this partnership. Over the years, the two cities have engaged in a wide range of exchanges, including high school student exchange programs, marathon exchanges, plant exchanges and book exchanges. One of the most active exchanges has been between their sister zoos, Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens in Nagoya and Taronga Zoo, in Sydney. The koalas sent from Sydney have become beloved residents of Higashiyama Zoo, cherished by citizens as a symbolic link between the two cities.
Looking ahead, both cities hope to further deepen mutual understanding and friendship among their citizens, strengthening their bond for the next 50, 100 years, and well beyond. 
With this issue, the CLAIR Sydney Newsletter proudly reached the milestone of its 200th edition.
CLAIR Sydney was established in October 1994 as CLAIR’s sixth overseas office. Its over 30 years’ history is the result of the dedication and hard work of every staff member who has contributed to the operation of the Sydney office, approximately 120 in total, who have come from Japan to serve here, as well as our local staff who have continuously supported our work.
The first issue of the newsletter was published in June 1995, one year after the office opened. In its early years, the newsletter was issued roughly every three months. However, from mid2012, it shifted to a more frequent publication schedule, and in recent years the newsletter has expanded to as many as 15 issues annually.
Reaching this 200th issue milestone would not have been possible without the support of our readers, as well as the many contributors who have assisted us with planning, writing, and the provision of valuable information. We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to you all.
Looking ahead, we will continue to focus on delivering content that supports our readers’ professional work and reflects their interests. Our aim is to provide timely and accessible information on the activities of local governments across Japan, while also highlighting the diverse attractions and unique characteristics of regions throughout the country. We welcome contributions to the newsletter anytime, so please feel free to get in touch with us.
Current members of CLAIR Sydney (April 2026)
