ÿþ<html lang="en"> <head> <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=unicode"><STYLE type="text/css"> <!-- body{font-size:medium; margin-left:10px;0margin-right:10px; line-height:140%;} P { text-indent: 1em; } h1 { font-size:x-large; font-style:bold; text-align:center;color:#336699 ;line-height:120%} h2 { font-size:large; font-style:normal; text-align:left; } h3 { font-size:large; font-style:bold; } h4 { font-size:medium; font-style:bold;} HR { color:#6a6a6a;} td { padding-top: 3px;padding-bottom: 3px;padding-left: 15px;border-bottom-width: 1px;border-bottom-style: solid;border-bottom-color: #CC0000;} --> </STYLE> <title>Fukuoka News^ÿFukuoka Prefecture s News with photos is offered.^ÿ</title> </head> <body> <a name="top"></a> <a href="top.html">Top</a>0ÿ0<a href="flash0704.html">Fukuoka News</a>0ÿ0Until March 2007 <br><br> <h1>Fukuoka News<br><span style="font-size: large;">^ÿFukuoka Prefecture s News with photos is offered. ^ÿ</span></h1> <hr size="4"> <ul> <li><a href="#070317">FY2006 Exchange Event for Regional Cultural Promotion (March 17, 2007)</a></li> <li><a href="#070305">Friendship Agreement concluded between Fukuoka Prefecture and Delhi, India (March 5, 2007)</a></li> <li><a href="#070221">Silicon Sea Belt Summit in Fukuoka 2007 (Feb. 21, 2007)</a></li> <li><a href="#070201"> International Hydrogen Energy Development Forum and Workshop (Feb. 1-2, 2007)</a></li> <li><a href="#070121"> Exhibition of the History and Future of Automobiles was held. (Jan. 21, 2007)</a></li> <li><a href="#061215">The Jiangsu Province Environmental Conservation Issue Investigation Team visited various sites in Fukuoka Prefecture. (Dec. 15, 2006) </a></li> <li><a href="#061112">The 14th Fukuoka Prefecture Culture Awards Presentation and Commemoration Event (Nov.12, 2006)</a></li> <li><a href="#061013">Inspection of Fukuoka Prefecture by Ambassadors in Japan (Oct. 13, 2006)</a></li> <li><a href="#060906">The 6th Asian International Forum in Fukuoka (Sep. 6, 2006) </a></li> <li><a href="#060709">Fukuoka 2006  International Political Science Association World Congress (Jul. 9 - 13, 2006)</a></li> <li><a href="#060711">Mr. Kwon Sangwoo Came to Fukuoka Prefecture (Jul. 11, 2006 )</a></li> <li><a href="#060607">Young people from ASEAN nationsÿJun. 7, 2006 ÿ</a></li> <li><a href="#060519">Hawaii State Government Delegation s Visit to the Governor of Fukuoka Prefecture and the Chairman of the Prefectural Assembly (May 19, 2006) </a></li> <li><a href="#060327">Asian Young Culture Ambassador Commission Issuing Ceremony (March 27, 2006)</a></li> </ul> <a href="#bottom"><b>Previous Fukuoka News</b></a><br><br> <hr size="4"> <table width="100%"><tr><td style="border-bottom-color:#6a6a6a;" bgcolor="#6a6a6a"><font color="#FFFFFF"> <h3><a name="070317"></a>FY2006 Exchange Event for Regional Cultural Promotion (March 17, 2007)</h3> </font></td></tr></table> <table width="360" align="right"> <tr> <td><a href="../flash/070317detail.html" target="_blank"><img src="../flash/070317.jpg" width="360" height="240" alt="Other Photos"></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"><font size="2">Performance of  Misaki Kagura staged by Jaraku, a Buzen Kagura artist troupe<br><a href="../flash/070317detail.html" target="_blank">ÿOther Photos ÿ</a></font></td> </tr> </table> <h4> Region × Culture ÿ Power of Tradition </h4> <p>Fukuoka Prefecture has many folk arts that have been preserved and inherited and that have flourished in the region for hundreds of years.</p> <p>To widely disseminate such folk arts and deepen regional partnerships, and thereby to promote regional cultural promotion activities, the Exchange Event for Regional Cultural Promotion was held on March 17, at the Skala Espacio, a multi-purpose space located in Fukuoka City.</p> <p>At the Exchange Event, traditional folk arts were performed by four folk art troupes of Fukuoka Prefecture. The program of the event also included a lecture delivered by Ms. Hiroko Mori, a specialist member of the Cultural Properties Protection Promotion Council, Fukuoka Prefecture, providing participants with an opportunity to reaffirm the importance of preserving and handing down traditional culture to future generations.</p> <br clear="all"> <br> <a href="#top">Back to the top of the page</a><br><br> <table width="100%"><tr><td style="border-bottom-color:#6a6a6a;" bgcolor="#6a6a6a"><font color="#FFFFFF"> <h3><a name="070305"></a>Friendship Agreement concluded between Fukuoka Prefecture and Delhi, India (March 5, 2007)</h3> </font></td></tr></table> <table width="360" align="right"> <tr> <td><img src="../flash/070305.jpg" width="360" height="240" alt="0"></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"><font size="2">Mr. Shinsuke Eguchi, Treasurer of Fukuoka Prefecture (right) shaking hands with Mr. A. K. Walia, Delhi's Finance Minister, each holding the written agreement</font></td> </tr> </table> <h4>Expanding International Exchange</h4> <p>On March 5, Fukuoka Prefecture concluded a friendship agreement with the National Capital Territory of Delhi, India, the first of its kind for a Japanese local government. In behalf of Wataru Aso, Governor of Fukuoka Prefecture, Mr. Shinsuke Eguchi, Treasurer of Fukuoka Prefecture, attended the signing ceremony held in India. The ceremony was followed by a joint communiqué, which includes the plans for holding an India Fair in Fukuoka Prefecture, inviting participants from Delhi to Fukuoka Prefecture s program for training personnel who can contribute to international environment protection, and supporting the exchange between Kyushu National Museum and the National Museum of New Delhi. This Agreement is expected to help deepen international exchange between Fukuoka and Delhi in various fields, such as economy, environment, culture and youth education.</p> <br clear="all"> <br> <a href="#top">Back to the top of the page</a><br><br> <table width="100%"><tr><td style="border-bottom-color:#6a6a6a;" bgcolor="#6a6a6a"><font color="#FFFFFF"> <h3><a name="070221"></a>Silicon Sea Belt Summit in Fukuoka 2007 (Feb. 21, 2007)</h3> </font></td></tr></table> <table width="360" align="right"> <tr> <td><img src="../flash/070221-1.jpg" width="360" height="232" alt="0"></td> </tr> <tr> <td align=""><font size="2">Governor Aso speaks to the audience. </font></td> </tr> <tr> <td><img src="../flash/070221-2.jpg" width="360" height="244" alt="0"></td> </tr> <tr> <td align=""><font size="2">Professor Hesham El-Rewini of Southern Methodist University (the U.S.) delivers a keynote speech entitled  Wireless Sensor Networks: Connecting the Physical and Digital Worlds. </font></td> </tr> </table> <h4>Semiconductor technologies paving the way to the future</h4> <p>The Silicon Sea Belt Summit in Fukuoka 2007 was held in Fukuoka City on February 21. The area stretching from South Korea, to Kyushu (Japan) and to China, Taiwan and Singapore is called the Silicon Sea Belt, and produces some 50% of the total semiconductor output in the world. Located in this thriving area, Fukuoka Prefecture is aiming to serve as a world-class R&D base for system LSI. </p> <p>Summit participants had a valuable information exchange regarding sensor networking, which has tremendous potential for a variety of purposes. In the summit, Wataru Aso, Governor of Fukuoka Prefecture, emphasized that the prefecture will create a dynamic economic engine for the future through the combined power of the semiconductor industry supported by the prefecture and the automobile industry.</p> <br clear="all"> <br> <a href="#top">Back to the top of the page</a><br><br> <table width="100%"><tr><td style="border-bottom-color:#6a6a6a;" bgcolor="#6a6a6a"><font color="#FFFFFF"> <h3><a name="070201"></a> International Hydrogen Energy Development Forum and Workshop (Feb. 1-2, 2007)</h3> </font></td></tr></table> <table width="360" align="right"> <tr> <td><img src="../flash/070201-1.jpg" width="360" height="235" alt="0"></td> </tr> <tr> <td align=""><font size="2">François Jackow, Vice President of Air Liquide (France), makes a presentation regarding their efforts to realize a hydrogen society.</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td><img src="../flash/070201-2.jpg" width="360" height="239" alt="0"></td> </tr> <tr> <td align=""><font size="2">Tour at HYDROGENIUS </font></td> </tr> </table> <h4>World s top researchers assemble in Fukuoka</h4> <p>With an eye to creating a society ensuring the effective use of hydrogen, one of the most promising energy sources in the next generation, Fukuoka Prefecture has established the Fukuoka Strategy Conference for Hydrogen Energy, promoting hydrogen-related initiatives through the cooperation of industry, academia and government.</p> <p>As part of this effort, the International Hydrogen Energy Development Forum and Workshop was held in Fukuoka City from February 1 to 2, 2007. This was the first forum that brought together world s leading researchers who work with a variety of materials essential to commercializing hydrogen energy technologies. In the forum, representatives of hydrogen-related companies from around the world presented their future strategies of the hydrogen business and their research activities. A tour to the Research Center for Hydrogen Industrial Use and Storage (HYDROGENIUS), which was established on the Ito Campus of Kyushu University, was another attraction of the forum. </p> <br clear="all"> <br> <a href="#top">Back to the top of the page</a><br><br> <table width="100%"><tr><td style="border-bottom-color:#6a6a6a;" bgcolor="#6a6a6a"><font color="#FFFFFF"> <h3><a name="070121"></a> Exhibition of the History and Future of Automobiles was held. (Jan. 21, 2007)</h3> </font></td></tr></table> <table width="360" align="right"> <tr> <td><img src="../flash/070121-1.jpg" width="360" height="240" alt="0"></td> </tr> <tr> <td align=""><font size="2"> ELIICA ; 800 horsepower with a maximum speed of 370 km/h can be delivered by loading a motor on each of eight wheels. </font></td> </tr> <tr> <td><img src="../flash/070121-2.jpg" width="360" height="239" alt="0"></td> </tr> <tr> <td align=""><font size="2"> i-unit ; this can be freely moved to and fro with a controller that is cupped in the driver s right hand. </font></td> </tr> </table> <h4>Exhibition of the History and Future of Automobiles</h4> <p>  Exhibition of the History and Future of Automobiles was held at Kyushu National Museum from Jan. 10 to 21 to commemorate the Northern Kyushu region s (including Fukuoka)0achievement of becoming an auto manufacturing base with an annual output of one million units. </p> <p>The exhibition featured vehicles that allowed visitors to overview automobile history from the past to the future, including  Arrow , the oldest Japanese car in existence (manufactured in 1916),  ELIICA , an electric vehicle equipped with a motor on each of eight wheels, and  i-unit, a single-seat car that enabled a driver to move the vehicle freely by intuitive operation as if it were one s own limbs. </p> <br clear="all"> <br> <a href="#top">Back to the top of the page</a><br><br> <table width="100%"><tr><td style="border-bottom-color:#6a6a6a;" bgcolor="#6a6a6a"><font color="#FFFFFF"> <h3><a name="061215"></a>The Jiangsu Province Environmental Conservation Issue Investigation Team visited various sites in Fukuoka Prefecture. (Dec. 15, 2006) </h3> </font></td></tr></table> <table width="360" align="right"> <tr><td><img src="../flash/061215.jpg" width="360" height="237" alt="0"></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"><font size="2">Investigation team members listening to an explanation about the results of research on microorganisms </font></td> </tr> </table> <h4>International contributions through environmental technology</h4> <p>Under a friendship agreement between Jiangsu Province (China) and Fukuoka Prefecture, the Jiangsu Province Environmental Conservation Issue Investigation Team comprising 28 top local government officials visited various sites in Fukuoka for 5 days from Dec. 11 and learned about Fukuoka s leading-edge environmental technologies and history of overcoming pollution problems. </p> <p>On the final day of the tour, they visited the Biotechnology and Food Research Institute of the Fukuoka Industrial Technology Center. A staff person in charge from the prefectural government explained the results of the latest research such as development of environmentally friendly agricultural chemicals utilizing microorganisms. </p> <br clear="all"> <br> <a href="#top">Back to the top of the page</a><br><br> <table width="100%"><tr><td style="border-bottom-color:#6a6a6a;" bgcolor="#6a6a6a"><font color="#FFFFFF"> <h3><a name="061112"></a>The 14th Fukuoka Prefecture Culture Awards Presentation and Commemoration Event (Nov.12, 2006)</h3> </font></td></tr></table> <table width="360" align="right"> <tr><td><img src="../flash/061112.jpg" width="360" height="239" alt="0"></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"><font size="2">Ms. Shino Minami performing pieces by Ernest Chausson and Edward William Elgar at the commemoration event.</font></td> </tr> </table> <h4>Violinist Ms. Minami and 4 persons awarded.</h4> <p>The Fukuoka Prefecture Culture Awards are awarded to persons or groups that have contributed to the promotion of culture in Fukuoka Prefecture. The presentation and commemoration event for the award was held at ACROS Fukuoka on the 12th of November.</p> <p>This year's award winners are Mr. Shinkyo Nakamura, a Hakata Doll (Traditional Japanese Craft) maker; Mr. Tetsuya Sasaki, an ethnologist; Nick Szasz, the International Coordinator and Chief Editor of FukuokaNow (a free magazine for foreign residents in Fukuoka Prefecture); Ms. Shion Minami, a violinist and winner of the second prize at the Long-Thibaud International Music Competition; and Mr. Kisaburo Ogawa, a Hakata-Ori Textile weaver. All the winners have made great continuous efforts in their individual fields.</p> <p>During the ceremony, Governor Aso presented the winners with certificates of merit and trophies individually. At the commemoration event that followed, the winners made speeches and performed to an ardent audience</p> <br clear="all"> <br> <a href="#top">Back to the top of the page</a><br><br> <table width="100%"><tr><td style="border-bottom-color:#6a6a6a;" bgcolor="#6a6a6a"><font color="#FFFFFF"> <h3><a name="061013"></a>Inspection of Fukuoka Prefecture by Ambassadors in Japan (Oct. 13, 2006)</h3> </font></td></tr></table> <table width="360" align="right"> <tr><td><img src="../flash/061013.jpg" width="360" height="241" alt="0"></td> </tr> <tr> <td align=""><font size="2">Ambassadors listening to explanation from IARE staff about pest control for strawberries.</font></td> </tr> </table> <h4>Fukuoka Prefecture inspected by Ambassadors in Japan</h4> <p>Ambassadors in Japan, representing 14 countries and 1 region, visited Fukuoka Prefecture from the 11th to the 13th of October.This program is a joint-project between the central and local governments, with the aim to inform Ambassadors in Japan of the local state of affairs and to further their actual knowledge of Japan.</p> <p>The Ambassadors visited the Institute for Agricultural Research and Examination (IARE) on the 13th, where they inspected actual facilities for new rice variety development, and pest control for strawberries using natural enemies. The Ambassadors inquired the staff of the IARE enthusiastically.</p> <br clear="all"> <br> <a href="#top">Back to the top of the page</a><br><br> <table width="100%"><tr><td style="border-bottom-color:#6a6a6a;" bgcolor="#6a6a6a"><font color="#FFFFFF"> <h3><a name="060906"></a>The 6th Asian International Forum in Fukuoka (Sep. 6, 2006) </h3> </font></td></tr></table> <table width="360" align="right"> <tr> <td align="center"><img src="../flash/060906-2.jpg" width="360" height="270" alt="0"></td> </tr> <tr> <td><div align="center">Mr. Clyde V. Prestowitz, President/Founder of the Economic Strategy Institute (U.S.) </td> </tr> </table> <h4>Asian Brains to Gather in Fukuoka</h4> <p>After the Kyushu-Okinawa Summit Finance Ministers Meeting was held in Fukuoka in 2000, it was decided to hold the Asia International Forum in Fukuoka annually; an event intended to further improve Fukuoka s function as an intellectual base in Asia. </p> <p>Under the theme of  Development and Challenges in Asia: Regional Alliance, the 6th Forum was held on Sep. 6 and 7. The Forum featured lectures and panel discussions by researchers of think tanks and colleges from 12 Asian and Western nations and regions.</p> <br clear="all"> <a href="#top">Back to the top of the page</a><br><br> <table width="100%"><tr><td style="border-bottom-color:#6a6a6a;" bgcolor="#6a6a6a"><font color="#FFFFFF"> <h3><a name="060711"></a>Mr. Kwon Sangwoo Came to Fukuoka Prefecture (Jul. 11, 2006 )</h3> </font></td></tr></table> <table width="360" align="right"> <tr> <td align="center"><img src="../flash/060711.jpg" width="360" height="254" alt="0"></td> </tr> <tr> <td><div align="center">Mr. Kwon Sangwoo offering his donation to Governor Aso </div></td> </tr> </table> <h4>Mr. Kwon Sangwoo offered his donation to Governor Aso. </h4> <p>On July 11, Mr. Kwon Sangwoo, a popular Korean actor, visited the Fukuoka Prefectural Government to offer Governor Aso a donation for children in Genkai Island, which was struck by the West of Fukuoka Prefecture Earthquake last year. The donation came from the profits of his talk live event held on the previous day. At the meeting with the Governor, Mr. Kwon said  I d like to help Fukuoka again if the Prefecture faces hardship in the future. In return for such generosity, the Governor presented a Hakata doll depicting Hakata Gion Yamakasa. </p> Further information (movie) is available at the <a href="http://webtv.pref.fukuoka.lg.jp/channel.php?m=2&s=3" target="blanc">Tobiume Broadcasting Station.</a> <br clear="all"> <br> <a href="#top">Back to the top of the page </a><br><br> <table width="100%"><tr><td style="border-bottom-color:#6a6a6a;" bgcolor="#6a6a6a"><font color="#FFFFFF"> <h3><a name="060709"></a>Fukuoka 2006  International Political Science Association World Congress (Jul. 9 - 13, 2006)</h3> </font></td></tr></table> <table width="360" align="right"> <tr> <td align="center"><img src="../flash/060709.jpg" width="360" height="238" alt="0"></td> </tr> <tr> <td><div align="center">Governor Aso, receiving a letter of appreciation from Mr. Max Kaase, President of the International Political Science Association </td> </tr> </table> <h4>Approximately 2,000 political scientists gathered in Fukuoka from around the world. </h4> <p>The International Political Science Association is one of the world s largest organizations of political scientists who have significant influence on national policy development and public opinion. The Forum s World Congress was held in Fukuoka on July 9 for five days. </p> <p>Under the theme of  Is Democracy Working? the Congress included research presentations and discussions on today s world politics. Moreover, the Congress featured open lectures, such as a panel discussion with Dr. Donald Keene, a professor emeritus of Columbia University, and a lecture given by Ms. Sadako Ogata, President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency. </p> <br clear="all"> <a href="#top">Back to the top of the page </a><br><br> <table width="100%"><tr><td style="border-bottom-color:#6a6a6a;" bgcolor="#6a6a6a"><font color="#FFFFFF"> <h3><a name="060607"></a>Young people from ASEAN nationsÿJun. 7, 2006 ÿ</h3> </font></td></tr></table> <table width="290" align="right"> <tr> <td align="center"><img src="../flash/060607-1.jpg" width="280" height="201" alt="0"></td> </tr> <tr> <td><div align="center">Young people from ASEAN nations, receiving a lecture on how RDF is produced </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"><img src="../flash/060607-2.jpg" width="280" height="189" alt="0"></td> </tr> <tr> <td><div align="center">Experiencing recycling activities, such as patchworking used clothing pieces </td> </tr> </table> <h4>Aiming for a Resource Recycling Society </h4> <p>As part of the projects of JICA, Japan International Cooperation Agency, 25 young people from ASEAN nations visited the Minou Clean Station, a refuse-derived fuel facility, in Ukiha City on June 7. The young people, who are engaged in environmental preservation projects in their own nations, watched how household wastes were transformed into RDF (refuse derived-fuel) and received a lecture on waste recycling efforts. At the Recycling Studio, which works on waste reduction and recycling, they interacted with members of Minou Net, a volunteer group managing the Studio, and undertook a recycling activity. </p> <br clear="all"> <a href="#top">Back to the top of the page</a><br><br> <table width="100%"><tr><td style="border-bottom-color:#6a6a6a;" bgcolor="#6a6a6a"><font color="#FFFFFF"> <h3><a name="060519"></a>Hawaii State Government Delegation s Visit to the Governor of Fukuoka Prefecture and the Chairman of the Prefectural Assembly (May 19, 2006)</h3> </font></td></tr></table> <table width="370" align="right"> <tr> <td align="center"><img src="../flash/060519.jpg" width="360" height="249" alt="0"></td> </tr> <tr> <td><div align="center">The Governor, saying jokingly  Can I travel to Hawaii with this paddle? </td> </tr> </table> <h4>Let s continue our travel of friendship. </h4> <p>In celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Friendship Agreement between Fukuoka Prefecture and Hawaii, officials of Hawaii State Government and Congress paid a courtesy visit to Governor Aso on May 19. The Governor welcomed them, saying,  I hope we will develop more active cultural and economic interactions. Calvin Say, the Speaker of the House in the Hawaii State House of Representatives, presented a paddle, saying,  I hope we will continue our travel of friendship. At the end of the meeting, Hawaiian dancers performed a wonderful hula dance. The officials of Hawaii and Fukuoka deepened interactions in a friendly atmosphere. </p> Further information (movie) is available at the Tobiume Broadcasting Station. <a href="http://webtv.pref.fukuoka.lg.jp/channel.php?m=2&s=3" target="blanc">Tobiume Broadcasting Station.</a> <br clear="all"><br> <a href="#top">Back to the top of the page </a><br><br> <table width="100%"><tr><td style="border-bottom-color:#6a6a6a;" bgcolor="#6a6a6a"><font color="#FFFFFF"> <h3><a name="060327"></a>Asian Young Culture Ambassador Commission Issuing Ceremony (March 27, 2006)</h3> </font></td></tr></table> <table width="360" align="right"> <tr> <td align="center"><img src="../flash/060327.jpg" width="360" height="265" alt="0"></td> </tr> <tr> <td><div align="center">Members appointed as Asian Young Culture Ambassadors </div></td> </tr> </table> <h4>Appointed as a  bridge of interactions between Fukuoka and Asia </h4> <p>Seoul, Pusan, Beijing, Shanghai, Taipei, Hong Kong and Bangkok --- Governor Aso appointed each of the seven persons active in the Asian major cities as  Asian Young Culture Ambassadors, issuing commissions to the Ambassadors. </p> <p>Appointed were a TV and radio director, a DJ, a broadcast writer, journalist, novelist, and others, all of whom are influential in regard to their city s young culture. Most of the ambassadors are in their 20s or 30s. </p> <p>The role of the Asian Young Culture Ambassadors is to serve as a  bridge of interactions between Fukuoka and Asia. They are expected to carry out PR activities for Fukuoka Prefecture, by offering young culture information to <a href="http://asianbeat.jp/" target="blanc">Asianbeat</a>, a multilingual website, and disseminating information regarding Fukuoka in their cities.</p> <br clear="all"> <br> <a href="#top">Back to the top of the page</a><br><br> <hr size=""> <a href="flash.html">Latest Fukuoka News</a><br><br> <a name="bottom"></a> <h4>Previous Fukuoka News</h4> <ul> <li><a href="flash0712.html">December,2007  January, 2008</a></li> <li><a href="flash0711.html">November 2007</a></li> <li><a href="flash0709.html">September  October, 2007</a></li> <li><a href="flash0707.html">July  August, 2007</a></li> <li><a href="flash0704.html">April  June, 2007</a></li> <li><a href="flash06.html">Until March 2007</a></li> </ul> </body> </html>