Members of the Japan Centre for Regional Development, a public sector agency, visited New Zealand from 7-11 September for research on policies to promote regional growth and community sports, as well as and fieldwork on disaster recovery. CLAIR Sydney supported their activities with pre-arrival logistics and accompanying the delegation to their meetings in Auckland and Christchurch.
In Christchurch, the staff of CERA (Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority) guided them to the areas damaged by 2011 Canterbury Earthquake, in which many Japanese nationals perished, and gave a comprehensive explanation about regional revitalisation. Research staff from the Japanese regions affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake 2011 listened to their explanation carefully.
On 9 September, we were fortunate enough to be in the city at the same time as the JETAASI JET Returnees’ Welcome Back 2015 gathering, sponsored by the JETAA on New Zealand’s South Island. Seven JET returnees attended the party. The researchers also attended the party, discussing life in Japan with the returnees.
