The Osaka conference of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, which will take place in the middle of November with the participation of leaders from 18 countries and regions, is just around the corner. Since this will be the first time for a summit-class international conference to be held in Japan outside Tokyo, the whole local community, public and private sectors alike, is joining forces to provide cooperation and support. At the same time, the APEC conference offers a wonderful opportunity to attract the attention of the world to the Kansai region in and around Osaka.
Local Governments and Business Circles Provide Full Support
The APEC conference in Osaka will consist of ministerial
meetings on November 16 and 17 and then an APEC leaders'
meeting on November 19. The summit will be held in the Osaka
Geihinkan (Guesthouse), which has been specially constructed
in Nishinomaru Garden in the grounds of Osaka Castle. A
total of about 10,000 government officials and media
representatives from Japan and abroad are expected to
descend on Osaka for the occasion.
The Japanese government is making thorough preparations
for the reception of these visitors, including the
management of conference sites, security, and press services
during the forum. And the local community is helping out by
providing cooperation and support in a variety of ways under
the catchphrase, "Let's make the APEC conference in Osaka a
success! "
At the center of this community effort is the Kansai
Host Council for the APEC Osaka Meetings, established in
February by the prefectural and city governments of Osaka,
other local governments in the vicinity, business
organizations, and others. The council, which has about 60
full-time staff dispatched by local governments, cooperating
companies, and others, engages in a wide range of
activities, including the organization of and support for
events related to the APEC conference and public relations,
both domestic and international. It is particularly keen to
make full use of the media to transmit information and has
opened a Kansai Home Page on the Internet to supply
information about the Kansai region.
Variety of Press Services
The council also is preparing services for the several
thousand media representatives expected to visit Osaka for
the APEC conference. In addition to supplying information to
the press in a variety of ways, it is planning various
conveniences, such as the distribution of free transport
passes, and press tours on special themes, such as disaster
reconstruction and advanced technology.
Especially imaginative is the planned homestay program
for foreign journalists. The aim of this program is to
enable foreign journalists to make use of the opportunity
provided by their visitto Japan to experience the actual
daily lives of the Japanese people and see more of the
Kansai region. Already the council has received many
applications and inquiries about this homestay program.
(The above article, edited by Japan Echo Inc., is based on domestic Japanese news sources. It is offered for reference purposes and does not necessarily represent the policy or views of the Japanese Government.)