[June 2021]
Initiating New Sister City Relationships with Local Governments in Japan amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic

“Never let a good crisis go to waste” is a statement that is attributed to Sir Winston Churchill. We believe that this statement can be adapted and applied to sister, friendship, or partner relationships between international cities amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the numerous challenges and hindrances experienced by all in the current environment, we have been informed by local governments in Australia and New Zealand that they are seeking to further expand their existing international relationships. Some are even contemplating initiating new sister city relationships with local governments in Japan.

As described in the CLAIR Sydney Newsletter published in September 2018, there are many appealing aspects for local governments in Australia and New Zealand to initiate new sister city relationships with Japanese local governments. The three countries share similarities on many levels, including democracy, the richness of nature and the high level of safety. There are also little time differences between Australia/New Zealand and Japan, which means that students in Australia/New Zealand and Japan can participate in language exchange sessions during school hours. It is needless to mention that based on the well-rounded relationships between Australia/New Zealand and Japan, any kind of interactions between the three countries will undoubtedly be favourable and straightforward.

We earnestly hope that Australian and New Zealand local governments that currently do not have any partner local government in Japan can consider leveraging the current quiescent times and explore the potential of initiating an international partnership with a local government in Japan. CLAIR Sydney can support local governments in Australia/New Zealand in their search for suitable partnering local governments in Japan. If your local government is interested in finding local government partners in Japan, please send an email to <mailbox@jlgc.org.au>.

Nothing would please us more than connecting potential partnering cities, and witnessing the relationship flourish into a new sister, friendship or partner city relationship. We look forward to receiving many enquiries from local governments in Australia and New Zealand, which will lay the groundwork for the establishment of new sister city relationships with Japanese local governments. We anticipate that the new partnerships formed during the pandemic will have lasting positive contributions to the further development of the local governments involved, and these contributions will extend beyond the end of the pandemic. We believe now is an ideal time to actualise the idea of “tough times bring opportunities”.

カテゴリー: From the Executive Director

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  •  環境問題への取組を調査するため、7月下旬~8月上旬にかけて滋賀県立彦根工業高等学校の高校生1名および引率者1名がオーストラリアを訪問し、クレアシドニー事務所は、7月29日にはオーストラリアの概要(文化、風習等)についてブリーフィングを実施し、7月31日にはブリスベンの訪問先企業へのアテンド行いました。

    ブリスベンの訪問先においては、カーボンニュートラルの観点から、カギケノリという海藻を用いて畜産動物が排出するメタンガスを減少させる取り組みについての情報を得ることができました。生徒が、将来は自らも環境のための取り組みを実施したいとの思いから、積極的にミーティングに臨んでいる姿が印象的でした。

    当事務所は今回、ブリーフィング及びアテンドのほか、ブリスベンの訪問先企業に対するアポイントメント取得のサポートも行いました。
     クレアシドニー事務所は、今後もオーストラリアでの調査に取り組む日本の自治体の活動を支援していきます。

  • *English only.

    The latest issue of our correspondence is released.

    View this Correspondence in PDF.

  • *English only.

    The latest issue of our correspondence is released.

    View this Correspondence in PDF.

  • *English only.

    The latest issue of our correspondence is released.

    View this correspondence in PDF.

  • *English only.

    The latest issue of our correspondence is released.

    View this Correspondence in PDF.

  •  名古屋市とシドニー市の姉妹都市交流は、2025年に45周年を迎えます。11月24日(金)には、豪州多文化主義政策交流プログラム(11月27日から12月2日まで)参加にあわせて渡豪した名古屋市職員がシドニー市役所を訪問しました。
     両市の姉妹動物園(タロンガ動物園と東山動物園)の交流の状況や名古屋市における国際交流についての情報共有に加えて、2023年12月に予定されている松雄副市長のシドニー市訪問の事前打ち合わせが行われ、クレアシドニー事務所はこの訪問をアテンドしました。
     節目の年を2年後に控え、両市の交流がさらに活発になるよう、クレアシドニー事務所は引き続き支援して参ります。