NEAR news vol.47 (ENG)

NEARNEAR Leading the Era of Northeast Asia2012. 9-10

Vol. 47

News

The Association of North East Asia Regional

Governments

Special ContributionGreeting Message from the 10th NEAR Chair

NEAR This Month NEAR Activities / Secretariat News / NEAR Member News

Feature ReportA New Trial of the Local Autonomy System - The Union of Kansai Government

NEAR Member TourA City of Water and Canal - Liaocheng Shi

Delgerkhangai mountain, Dornogobi Province

“NEAR News” was launched in 2005 to serve as a messenger between NEAR member regions and promote sharing of information. The bi-monthly

magazine is published and distributed to NEAR members and other relevant organizations free of charge, containing information on NEAR activities,

news from members, international issues, contributions and announcements (also available free at http://www.neargov.org). You can take part in

creating NEAR News anytime by contributing articles and creative ideas (Contact the NEAR Secretariat).





































































































































NEAR News

Vol. 47

Yellow River Ecology Culture Zone (Liaocheng Shi, Shandong Province)

6 13 156 13 15

NEAR is...an international organization founded in Sept. 1996

in Gyeongju, South Korea by 29 regional

governments in four Northeast Asian countries,

including South Korea, China, Japan, Russia.

Since the adoption of the NEAR Charter based on

mutual prosperity, NEAR has carried out extensive

exchange and cooperation projects in various

fields ranging from economy and trade, education

& cultural exchanges, environment, disaster

prevention, cross-border cooperation, science &

technology, tourism, ocean & fisheries, Mineral

Resources Development and Coordination,

Energy and Climate Change, Women and

Children, Bio-medical Industry to Agriculture.

Today, with the participation of North Korea and

Mongolia and the accession of new member

governments, NEAR encompasses 71 member

regions in six countries as an organization

representing Northeast Asia dedicated to regional

diplomacy & cooperation.

NEAR is open to all. Any local government located in the Northeast

Asian region sharing the founding purpose of

NEAR can join us through the NEAR General

Assembly.

The Association of North East Asia Regional

Governments

NEAR NEWS Vol. 47

Greeting Message from the 10th NEAR Chair

4

Special Contribution

Greeting Message from the 10th

NEAR Chair

I extend my greetings to all the members of the Association of North East Asia Regional

Governments (NEAR).

It is said that it was the era of the West including Europe until the mid-20th century, but we can say

that now is the era of Asia because Asia is emerging as the pivot of world economy and culture,

transferred from the West.

In particular, many Northeast Asian countries such as China, Japan, and Korea are at the epicenter of

that trend. In Northeast Asia live one quarter of world’s population. Northeast Asia has grown as the

mega economic bloc, which accounts for half of the world trade volume, and 24% of world’s total

volume of GDP. In addition, it has abundant minerals and forest resources including coals, natural gas,

and oil. It also has wide hill areas, which are regarded as the best places for food production. The

regional government’s competitiveness is the national competitiveness and it may apply to any other

countries in the world.

To enhance the competitiveness of regional governments, we should differentiate various resources

in each region, thus making them a driving force for regional development and seek the co-prosperity

through regional cooperation. In this respect, I believe that many results that NEAR, which was

launched in 1996, achieved in various fields such as economy, tourism, culture, agriculture and

fisheries, and environment, should be highly evaluated. I hope for more active exchanges between

member regional governments so that the knowledge and experiences that each regional government

accumulates can contribute to the regional and national development, and furthermore the co-

prosperity of North East Asia. Currently, the biggest issues that humankind faces are food and energy

problems. We should not avoid solving these issues for the survival of and the sustainable

development of humankind. All countries in the world and international organizations such as UN are

exerting many efforts. But as they are the common problems of humanity, we all need to put together

our heads. I identified the possibility of solving them while I have been serving as the Governor,

Jeollanam-do Provincial Government.

Jeollanam-do Province has clean air and water, and warm climate. Along with this, it has world-class

marine resources such as around 2,000 islets, the 6,100km-long coastline, the sandbar of 1,000㎢. In

addition, it has the highest amount of sunshine nationwide, and the coast has the regular wind speed

and wind direction. As it has shallow water depth, the province meets the most suitable qualification

requirements to produce the renewable energy. By taking advantage of these resources, we are

promoting the projects related to environmentally-friendly agriculture, renewable energy, and offshore

management.

As of today, 8 years since I have served as a governor, Jeollanam-do Province is producing 61% of

organic and nonagricultural pesticide agriculture, and 51% of the environment friendly marine

products. 25% of the renewable energy is also generated from Jeollanam-do Province. With regard to

the wind-power, the project to build the sea wind-power test-bed complex for generating 5GW is being

promoted.

I will do my utmost with the Secretariat of NEAR and every member regional government so that all

the wisdom gained through these projects by Jeollanam-do Province can contribute to develop the

region in Northeast Asia, and to resolve the food and energy challenges. Looking forward to the

unwavering interests in and support to NEAR, I wish the eternal prosperity of all members.

Special Contribution

Park Joon-yung Governor, Jeollanam-do ProvincialGovernment, Republic of Korea Chair, the Association of North EastAsia Regional Governments

NEAR This Month NEAR Activities / Secretariat News

The Association of North East Asia Regional Governments 5

NEAR Activities

The 1st Sub-Committee on Energy & Climate

Change was held in the EXCO, Daegu between

October 9-11, participated by more than 40

people from 21 organizations in 4 countries,

under the theme of “Energy and climate change

cooperation among NEAR members.” This Sub-

Committee was a meaningful venue to share the

results that Daegu City has achieved as a ‘solar

city’ and to seek the common resolution of the

various issues that each regional government

faces, thus strengthening the cooperation and

mutual assistance among members.

The 1st Sub-Committee on Energy &

Climate Change held

The 1st Sub-Committee on Energy & Climate Change

■■ ContactEconomy Development Section, IndustryDepartent, Irkutsk Region

■■ Date: November 7-9 (Wed. Fri.)■■ Venue: Irkutsk City■■ Schedule

Contact

Fax

E-mail

Kim, Sung-hyun

82-54-223-2318

[email protected]

Lee, Hye-jung

82-54-223-2320

[email protected]

Choi, Soo-gyoo

82-54-223-2317

[email protected]

Khisigjargal

82-54-223-2384

[email protected]

Choi, Kyoung-nam

82-54-223-2319

[email protected]

82-54-223-2307

Korean,English Chinese Japanese Mongolian Russian

The Sub-Committee on Cross-border Cooperation will be held in Irkutsk city between November 7

and 9 under the theme of “The Role of Cross-border Cooperation for the Development of the

Northeast Asian Regions.” This Sub-Committee includes various thematic meetings for the measures

to activate the cross-border regions and culture programs in Baikal.

The Sub-Committee on Cross-border Cooperation Scheduled for

November 7-9 in Irkutsk City

Contact Olga Sherstova7 (3952) 256235

E-mail [email protected]

Fax 7 (3952) 256235

Date Schedule

Day 1(Nov. 7)

Check-in, WelcomeReception

Day 2 (Nov. 8) Sub-Committee Meeting

Day 3 (Nov. 9)

Culture & TourismProgram

Secretariat NewsNEAR Secretary General Kim Jae-hyo visited Wuhan city between

September 19 and 21 to attend the “Han-gang Jung” event by invitation of

Hubei Provice, China. The name of the event, “Han-gang Jung” originated

2012 “Han-gang Jung” economy, trade, and culture

exchange event between Hubei Province and

South Korea

Wang Gwosyeong, Governor of Hubei Province delivering the welcoming remarks in theopening ceremony

Tian Chengzhong, vice-governor of Hubei Province (Left) and Kim Jae-hyo, NEAR SecretaryGeneral (Right) in the opening ceremony

NEAR Secretariat

NEAR NEWS Vol. 476

Secretariat NewsNEAR This Month

NEAR SG Kim Jae-hyo delivering apresentation in Regional GovernmentExchange Meeting between Korea and China

Yan Puliu, Director General of Foreign AffairsOffice (Left) and Kim Jae-hyo, NEAR SG in thedinner organized by Korean Embassy in China

In front of the Huanghaolou,

the scenic spot

in Hubei Province

NEAR delegation including Secretary General Kim Jae-hyo attended the

AER General Assembly and the World Forum for Democracy in

Strasbourg, France between October 9 and 12. SG Kim discussed ‘the

regionalization and democratization in Northeast Asia’ in the World

Forum for Democracy on October 10 and had a time to exchange opinions

with representatives of the regional governments in Europe. In addition, he

met with Pascal Goergen, AER Secretary General and Michele Sabban,

President of AER and discussed their opinions on the cooperation between

AER and NEAR, and concluded the Partnership Agreement between AER

and NEAR. On 12th, he had a time to broaden his understanding of the

AER by attending the AER General Assembly.

NEAR Concluded Partnership Agreement with AER

SG Kim attended World Local Governments Summit in Jeju

The seconded staff from Ningxia Hui

Autonomous Region, China, Ma Yisha completed

her mission and returned to her country in August

2012. She has been in charge of the coordination

and liaison work related to the 9th General

Assembly at the Secretariat from May 2012.

Announcement of the return of a dispatched official

Pascal Goergen, AER Secretary General (left) and Kim Jae-hyo, NEAR Secretary General

(right) concluding the partnership agreement

Ma Yisha(Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region -China)

from the name of the river, “Hang-gang” (or the Han River), which is the

same name of the rivers that run in Wuhan city in Hubei Province and in

Seoul city in South Korea. The name implies the bond between Hubei

Province and South Korea.

The “Han-gang Jung” event was co-organized by Hubei Province and

South Korean Embassy in China in commemoration of the 20th anniversary

of the amity between Korea and China. There were various programs such

as an informal gathering for discussion for the cooperation of economy

and trade between Hubei and Korea, Korean and Chinese Expert Seminar,

the 10th Regional Government Exchange Meeting between Korea and

China, Korea and Chinese Culture Performance, and Agricultural and

Fishery Food Exhibition attended by more than 350 related people

including Korean entrepreneurs, researchers, and officials.

In particular, SG Kim Jae-hyo had a time to introduce NEAR in the 10th

Regional Government Exchange Meeting between Korea and China and

attracted high interests from many officials of regional governments in

China, especially Zhao Jianling, Deputy Director General of Foreign

Affairs in Tianjin City pledged to make an effort to join NEAR.

NEAR Secretary General Kim Jae-hyo attended World Local

Governments Summit between September 4 and 6, which took place in the

lead up to the IUCN World Conservation Congress 2012 in Jeju. On the

first day, Secretary General Kim attended Expert Session and debated

about climate change, and he attended WCC Opening Ceremony and

WCC Welcome

Reception on

September 6.

2012 Jeju WCC World

Local Governments

Summit


NEAR This Month NEAR Member News

NEAR Member News

The Han-river in Wuhan city, Hubei Province

The people’s government of Hubei Province and Korean Embassy in

China co-organized 2012 “Han-gang Jung” economy, trade, and culture

exchange event between Hubei and South Korea in Wuhan. Various

programs such as Regional Government Exchange Meeting between

Korea and China, an informal gathering for discussion for the cooperation

of economy and trade, Korean and Chinese Expert Seminar to build the

Middle Delta Region (Hubei, Hunan, and Jiangxi), Hubei-Korea Travel

Photo Exhibition. The event was attended by Lee Soo-sung, former prime

minister of South Korea, Lee Kyu-hyung, ambassador to China,

representatives of regional governments in South Korea, entrepreneurs and

representatives of friendship and exchange groups.

2012 “Han-gang Jung” economy, trade, and culture

exchange event between Hubei and South Korea

Hubei Province - China

World Tourism City Mayor Forum

China 2012 held on Sep. 26 in

Zhengzhou, Hunan Province.

World Tourism City Mayor Forum

China 2012 was held between September

26 and 30 in Zhengzhou, Hunan Province.

Mayor of the famous tourism cities from

home and abroad gathered in Zhengzhou

and study and discuss the theme of

“Tourism and City.” During the event, a

festival, where the troupes from various

countries performed, was held for

everyone to have the pleasant time in

Zhengzhou. The climax of the event, the

mayor forum, was held in Zhengzhou

International Convention Center on

September 28th.

World Tourism City Mayor Forum China 2012 held on

Sep. 26 in Zhengzhou, Hunan Province

Hunan Province - China

2012 Chinese Advanced

Materials Industry

Exhibition co-organized by

Chinese Industry

Information Department and

the people’s government of

Heilongjiang Province was

held in Harbin, Heilongjiang

Province in the evening of

September 5, 2012.

Under the theme of “New Material, New Efficiency, New Opportunity,

and New Development,” 5 exhibition pavilion including the theme

pavilion, the international pavilion, the Chinese city pavilion, the state-run

enterprises and related university pavilion, the general development

pavilion and more than one thousand enterprises attended. 7 thematic

events were held including “2012 Senior’s Forum of Chinese New-

material Industry,” “Presentation of the result of the Chinese New-material

and Project Conference,” and “2012 Chinese Color New-material Summit.”

2012 Advanced Materials Industry Exhibition held in Harbin

Heilongjiang Province - China

IJSP (Ishikawa Japanese Studies Program) Future Creation Conference held

(1) Date : July 6 (Fri.), 2012

(2) Venue : ANA Crown Plaza Hotel Kanazawa

(3) Organizer : Ishikawa Prefecture, (Foundation)Ishikawa Prefecture

International Exchange Association

(4) Contents : Open discussion participated by 15 people including the

intelligent from home and abroad

(5)

Since 1987, Ishikawa Prefecture’s unique program - Ishikawa Japanese

Studies Program (IJSP) has attracted more than 3,600 people from

universities all over the world. And Universities now evaluate IJSP, which

IJSP (Ishikawa Japanese Studies Program) Future

Creation Conference held

Ishikawa Prefecture - Japan

SectionCoordinator

Ⅰ. Evaluation and promotion of the attraction of thetraining of Japanese language and Culture

Ⅱ. Evaluation and expansion of Homestay

Ⅲ. Promotion activity and information dispatch toexpand the number of participating universities

Makino Saiich

Nazkian Humiko

Ootani Yosio

The opening ceremony of 2012 Chinese Advanced

Materials Industry Exhibition

The landmark of thetourism city of the world

NEAR NEWS Vol. 478

NEAR Member News NEAR This Month

All civil servants in

Pohang City wore ‘Cool

Biz Look’ in the office

from June to September in

an effort to save energy,

create a sense of unity

between officials, and

enhance work efficiency.

Cool Biz is a compound

of ‘Cool’ and ‘Biz’(Business), referring to dressing cooler in the office to

cut down on energy use in the summer. Those ‘Cool Biz’ uniforms have

Pohang City’s ‘Cool Biz Look’ enhancing energy saving

Gyeongsangbuk-do Province - Korea

Vice Governonr of Gyeonggi-do Province, Lee, Jae-yul and Governor of

Shandong Province, Jiang Daming signed the Memorandum of

Understanding on the Exchange and Cooperation which contains project

cooperation between businesses and the expansion of the university

exchange on July 30. In accordance with the memorandum, the two

Gyeonggi-do is to expand the exchange with

Shandong Province

Gyeonggi-do Province - Korea

The scene of Promotion Corner for the specialties from Niigata Prefecture

has a home-stay program, as a program to learn Japanese and Japanese

culture more lively than the Japanese language program in the university.

In the mean time, the open discussion to seek the future of the IJSP was

attended by the intelligent from the U.S., China, and South Korea, and

they reviewed the direction of the development based on the activity status

up to now.

During the discussion, participating students presented the necessity of

the participation in the society and the meaning of the home-stay. After

the completion of the discussion, Makino Saiich, Emeritus Professor of the

Princetion University reported the results of the discussion to Tani Moto

Masanori, the governor of the Ishikawa Prefecture

Lee Jae-yul, Vice Governonr of Gyeonggi-do Province, and Jiang Daming, Governor ofShandong Province having a pleasant talk about the exchange and cooperation project

Niigata Prefecture, which exerted various exchange support by opening

the overseas office in Seoul, South Korea in 1990 for the first time among

Japanese regional governments, opened permanent corner to promote the

specialties of Niigata Prefecture this time. The 1st Corner, which opened

this March, sells and exhibits refined rice wine from Niigata Prefecture,

Tsuiki receptacle in the name of ‘Niigata Club’ inside of the ‘Kitchen of

OGA’, which is the high-class Japanese restaurant, located in Gangnam-

gu. In addition, the 2nd Corner, which opened last July, actively promotes

the specialties of Niigata Prefectures by exhibiting and directly using the

tableware in the Sushi bar, ‘Niigata Waraku.’ Niigata Prefecture is

promoting to expand the market for the Niigata specialties based on the

promotion corners.

Niigata Prefecture Specialty Promotion Corner

opened in a row in Korea

Niigata Prefecture - Japan

provinces will expand the exchanges in the economic field such as the

mutual dispatch of the business representatives, the hosting of the forum

on a regular basis and the hosting of the industry environment presentation

to promote business cooperation among promising small and medium-

sized enterprises within the jurisdiction.

They decided to promote the industrial complex and cooperate to invite

businesses so that the Gyeonggi-do Province industrial complex, which

will be established in the economic development zone in Liaocheng,

Shandong Province, could contribute to the economic cooperation of the

two provinces.

Along with this, they will promote the establishment of the “University

Exchange Council between Gyeonggi-do and Shandong Provinces” and

also enhance the administrative exchanges including the mutual dispatch

of the government official’s group from next year. Based on this

agreement, the Economy & Investment Office of Gyeonggi-Do Province

and the Foreign Affairs Office of the People’s Government of Shandong

Province are planning to discuss consistently and make concrete

enforcement measures. Gyeonggi-do Province and Shandong Province

actively performed mutual visit, mutual dispatch of public officials and

exchange of cultural sectors between the regional governments after

concluding the agreement on the Friendship Exchange cooperation in

April, 2000 and have maintained the sisterhood relationship since 2009.

Civil servants working with Cool-Biz Look in Pohang City hall


NEAR This Month NEAR Member News

The 1st ‘Golden

Antelope’ International

Poet Festival was held

between September 8 and

16. With the aim of

enjoying the nature while

preserving and not

harming it, this festival

was held from ‘Khamariin

Khiid,’ ‘Hoops gulsom,’

and ‘Hatang borla geusom’ in Dorno-govi Province to ‘Jaang Te reljeu’ in

Ulaanbaatar City. This festival, which was held with free topic, was

attended by young poets from Mongolia, Turkey, Belgium, Netherlands,

Japan, South Korea, and Japan.

The 1st ‘Golden Antelope’ International Poet Festival

Dorno-govi Province - Mongolia

‘The Korea Culture Week & K-Pop Contest 2012’ organized by South

Korean Embassy in Mongolia was held in Ulaanbaatar City between

September 28 and 30. On the first day, ‘Pa Pa’ the Korean comic movie

was shown in the out-door theater of Children’s park under the theme of

‘Meeting with Korean Movie.’ On the second day, the opening ceremony

of Korean Culture Week was held. There were various programs such as

Korea-Mongolia Diplomacy and Tourism Exhibition, Showing of Korea

Culture Tourism, K-Pop Contest finals (12 Teams), the opening of

traditional Korean food booth and the food supplies exhibition. They

received fervent responses from Mongolian citizens. In particular, they

showed keen interest in the recipe of Korean food and food-tasting. In the

K-Pop Contest, which was the highlight of this event, there were 12 teams

which advanced to the finals. Among them, Chereung sureung (aged 17)

won the top first prize. The round-trip ticket and abundant prizes were

awarded to them. On September 30, the event was completed with the

Korea-Mongolia Diplomacy and Tourism Exhibition, 70’s-80’s Concert,

and the 3rd showing of the movie, ‘Pa Pa’.

The Korea Culture Week & K-Pop Contest 2012 held

Ulaanbaatar City - Mongolia

The 16th Sakhalin Oil & Gas Meeting

and Exhibition 2012 was held in

Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk between

September 24-27, 2012 sponsored by Sakhalin Government and organized

by Adam Smith Conferences which is the professional organization for the

national forum in Russia and Eastern Europe. Under the theme of

“Sakhalin and Far East Russia Global Energy Center,” 400 people

including Oil & Gas representatives attended this exhibition. In particular,

various events such as the discussion on the planning and outlook of the

Sakhalinsk project 1-5, interview of representatives from enterprises, and

the visit of the Sakhalinsk 2 project.

The 16th Sakhalin Oil & Gas Meeting and Exhibition 2012

Sakhalin Region - Russia

The construction of

the on the ground

Sakhalinsk 2

project: Offshore

Platform

The Blueprint of Sakhalinsk 2 project

The 1st ‘Golden Antelope’ International Poet Festival

rose designs, which is the flower of the city, enhancing a sense of unity.

There are 3 kinds of colors including navy blue, blue, and scarlet to make

the most of each one’s characteristics. Civil servants wore those ‘Cool

Biz’uniforms while working at the amusement park and at the various

events publicizing Pohang. Meanwhile, Pohang City allowed its officials

to wear jeans or casual dress instead of formal dress for every Friday or

‘Blue Jean Day’ to promote conversion of notion and flexible thinking

from January, gaining traction.

Region Irkutsk RegionEvent Baikal Businessmen ForumWhen November 27-29Where Irkutsk Contact Itkutsk Economic Development,

Labor, Higher-Education DepartmentT. +7-3952-25-60-65F. +7-3952-25-65-21

Region Jeju Special Self-GoverningProvince (Korea)

Event The 20thJeju Seongsan SunriseFestival

When December 31, 2012 ~ January 1,2013

Where Seongsan Ilchulbong (Sunrise Peak),Seogwipo City

Contact Seogwipo City Hall Tourist PromotionDepartmentT. +82-64-760-3941~6

November2012. 11.

Sunday Monday Tuesday

28 29

4 5 6

25 26 27

23 25

30 31

December2012. 12.

Region Gyeongsangnam-do Province Event The 15th International Conference on

Harmful AlgaeWhen October 29~November 2Where Changwon Exhibition Conference

Center, gyeongnam, KoreaContact Registration department of the

secretariat of ICHA 2012T. +82-2-6000-8114http://www.hab2012.kr

Events of NEAR Member Regions

11

NEAR NEWS Vol. 47

Events Schedule of NEAR Member Regions

10

NEAR This Month

Region Busan Metropolitan City (Korea)Event Busan Choral Festival & CompetitionWhen November 14~17Where Busan Cultural Center

International Cooperation Division,Busan Metropolitan CityT. +82-51-888-3541F. +82-51-888-4039http://koreachoral.or.kr

Region Busan Metropolitan City (Korea)Event Busan International Seafood &

Fisheries EXPO 2012When November 15~17Where BEXCO, Busan Metropolitan City Contact BEXCO, Busan Metropolitan City

T. +82-51-740-3420F. +82-51-740-3404http://www.bisfe.com

Region Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) (Russia)Event The 2ndInternational Professional

Exposition"Petroleum, Gas, Environment,Energy 2012"

When November 14~16Where Yakutsk CityContact The Chamber of Commerce and

IndustryT. [email protected]

Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

31 3

7 8

26 27 28 29

Region Busan Metropolitan City (Korea)Event Global Game Exhibition G-STAR

2012When November 08~11Where BEXCO, Busan Metropolitan CityContact BEXCO, Busan Metropolitan City

T. +82-51-740-3420F. +82-51-740-3404http://www.gstar.or.kr

Region Jeju Special Self-GoverningProvince (Korea)

Event Jeju Olle Walking Festival 2012When October 31~November 03Where Jeju Olle Route 10,11,12,13Contact 2012 Jeju Olle Walking Festival

CommitteeT. +82-64-762-2190

14 15

NEAR Leading the Era of Northeast Asia

NEAR This Month Events Schedule of NEAR Member Regions


NEAR NEWS Vol. 47

A New Trial of the Local Autonomy System, The Union of Kansai Government

12

Feature Report

A New Trial of the Local Autonomy System,

The Union of Kansai Government

Union of Regional Government :

An organization for several regional

governments to jointly implement parts of

the administrative service. One of the

special regional public organizations

introduced by the revision of the regional

self-governing law in Japan in 1994 to

strengthen the local autonomy.

A Poster of 'Union of Kansai Governments'

Background

The Kansai region in Japan has carried out

its pioneering role in terms of the union of the

regional government, competing with wisdom

and characteristics of each cities and regions.

Along with the change of the times, the

strengthening of the union and the

decentralization out of the boundaries of the

prefectures has been required to develop

Kansai region into more attractive region.

However, in this case, the issue of the hand-

over of the authority and the office work from

the central government occurs. When each

regional government directly receives the

authority, it requires enormous expenses and

human strengths in its operation. Not only in

terms of the efficiency but also the

relationship with the central government, the

joint correspondence to each regional

government is more effective so the

establishment of the union of the regional

governments has been discussed.

The local autonomy systems of each country in Northeast Asia have developed, deeplyrelated with the political system, history and culture in each country. Thus, there are not afew differences by countries in terms of the formation, operation and authority of thesystem. In this regard, we will look out the future of the autonomous body by intrducingthe local autonomy system of Japan, where the authority of the local autonomy system isrelatively strong.

Feature Report A New Trial of the Local Autonomy System, The Union of Kansai Government


Union of Kansai Governments

In December 1st, 2010, 7 prefectures in the Kansai

region established the ‘Union of Kansai Governments’

under the slogan of ‘New era from Kansai.’

This is the first union of the governments in Japan,

composed of numerous prefectures. Its prior aim is to

respond to the regional tasks, which surpass the

boundaries between regions, breakthrough the

decentralization, and convert a country into the multi-

decentralized structure.

The future task is to infuse new atmosphere into the

central government system which shows institutional

fatigue by receiving the authority and the office work on

behalf of the dispatched office of the central government.

The concrete process and conditions for this are under

consideration. Related regional governments are making

their efforts to realize ‘Kansai region which can decide

and execute policies by itself’ and ‘Kansai region which

serves as the hub of the human and material exchange in

Asia, a base of West Japan.

At first, the office work of Union of Kansai

Governments was performed in the fields of Disaster

Prevention, Tourism & Culture Promotion, Industry

Promotion, Medical Service, Environment Prevention,

Qualification Test and License and Staff Training - 7

fields in total. To make ‘Developed Union of Kansai

Governments,’ the office work is scheduled to be

expanded to the field of planning, maintenance and

management of the harbor, national highway, and river.

The new form of the local autonomy model, which is

tried in Japan, where the local autonomy is developed the

most in Northeast Asia can be evaluated as an alternative

to the limitation of the current system of the regional

government. This attempt implies greatly to the regional governments in Northeast Asia, where

they are greatly influenced by the central government. This is why we should pay attention to the

success and failure of the Union of Kansai Governments.

Overview of the Union of Governments

Organization Chart

Election Commission

Auditor

Fair Committee

Council of the Union ofGovernments

Council for the Union ofGovernments

Accountant

Committee of the Union of Governments

Chair (of the Union of Governments)

Vice-chair (of the Union of Governments)Member(in charge of disaster prevention, tourism &culture promotion, industry promotion, medical service,environment prevent, qualification test and license andstaff training)

The Secretariat

Headquarters ofthe Secretariat (Planning&General Affairs,Qualification testand license)(in Osaka City)

Departments of the Secretariat(Dispatch specialists in all fields except for Qualification Test and License to each prefecture)

DisasterPreventionDepartment (HyogoPrefecture)

Tourism &CulturePromotionDepartment (KyotoPrefecture)

IndustryPromotionDepartment (OsakaPrefecture)

MedicalService Department(TokushimaPrefecture)

EnvironmentPreventionDepartment(ShigaPrefecture)

StaffTraining Department(WakayamaPrefecture)

Name Union of Kansai Governments

Chair

Date ofEstablishment

Members

Ido Tosijow (Governonr of Hyogo Prefecture)

December 1, 2010

Shiga Prefecture, Kyoto Prefecture, Osaka Prefecture, Hyogo Prefecture, WakayamaPrefecture, Tottori Prefecture, Tokushima Prefecture, Kyoto City, Osaka City, Saikai City,Kobe City (as of August 14, 2012)

Major

Activity

The works which the governments upper than prefectures (regional governments)have to deal with7 fields including Disaster Prevention, Tourism & Culture Promotion, IndustryPromotion, Medical Service, Environment Prevention, Qualification Test and Licenseand Staff TrainingReceiving the work and authority from the dispatched office of the central governmentExpansion of the work in the 7 fields and in new fields

1. Doctor Helicopter: Medical service in the 'Union of Kansai Governments' aims to establish the mutual supplementarycoordination system to operate numerous 'Doctor Helicopters'(Air Ambulance) by resolving the issue of the scope of and the expense of 'Doctor Helicopters,

' which occur when each regional government dispatch and operate 'Doctor Helicopters' by themselves.2. The scene of the joint training of the disaster prevention in the 'Union of Kansai Governments.'

: In Japan's situation where the earthquake and the natural disasters occur frequently, the responding to the disaster prevention requires not only the coordination between

the central and the local but also the close connection between regions.

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NEAR NEWS Vol. 47

A City of Water and Canal, Liaocheng Shi

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NEAR Member Tour

Liaocheng Shi located in the western region of the Shandong Province is composed of 8 counties and 1

economic development zone. It is 8,175㎢ wide and has 6 million and 40 thousand people. Liaocheng Shi

with the eternal history has another name as “the water city in the northern portion of the river (northern

portion of the Yangtze River), an ancient canal city.” In 2011, the income of the industry sector in the

Liaocheng Shi surpassed 500 billion yuan, thus ranked at the 7th place among 17 cities in the Shandong

Province in terms of the income.

The water area of the Liaocheng Shi accounts for one fourth of the total area so it has its unique scenery

where the city shines with water as there is a saying that “the water in the city, the city in the water”.In

addition, more than 30% of the city consists of the forests, making the city the advanced afforested city in

China. It is also the historical culture city, excellent tourism city, clean city, landscape city, exemplar city of

the environment protection, exemplar city of favoring officials, the military, and civilians. Liaocheng Shi

with unique attractiveness and excellent environment became a city good to live and to invest and start

enterprises.

In 2012, Shandong Province decided to build the “Gyeonggi-do Province Industrial Complex” inLiaocheng

Shi, Shandong Province. The total size of the land in the “Gyeonggi-do Province Industrial Complex” is

planned to be 5㎢. The size of the land on the first stage is expected to be 4㎢, comprising 1 major zone and

2 supplement zone. Industries such as LED and vehicle parts, precision machine, science technology R&D

centering around JIUZHOU international high-tech complex will be fostered in the major zone, so it will

become the center of the world class high-tech industry.

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The scenery of Liaocheng Shi

A City of Water and CanalLiaocheng ShiIntroduction of Liaocheng Shi, Shandong Province

NEAR Member Tour A City of Water and Canal, Liaocheng Shi


Bio-science technology complex (supplement zone) is trying to build the biggest production complex for

livestock feed and food additive in the world thus developing the bio-science technology and food and drug

industry. Chemical industry advanced material complex (supplement zone) is trying to develop the precision

chemistry industry and chemical industry advanced material industry centering around chemical industry and

advance material industry.

“Gyeonggi-do Province Industrial Complex” will intensely foster the cutting-edge technology and high-

value added industry in the future, thus becoming the center of the high efficient industry. Furthermore, it

will do its utmost to become the exemplar base for the circular economy between Korea and China or

Shandong Province and Gyeonggi-do Province.

There remain long history and culture in Liaocheng Shi. Liaocheng Shi is located at the cross point, where

the cultures of Qi, Lu, Yan, and Zhao states meet. It is also the place which is the backdrop of the famous

story, the “The Water Margin” - the representative Chinese classic.

During the recent years, Liaocheng Shi is accelerating its speed to open it outward by taking advantage of

its geographical merits. It emphasize developing the Bio-science technology, the vehicle and machinery

manufacturing, the light industries and Textile industries, the color metalworking process, and the IT

industries. It is also attracting the major industries of the nations and regions such as Japan, South Korea,

Europe, the U.S., Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan with the most suitable investment environment, the

environment of the inauguration of the enterprises, and residential environment. In 2011, the growth rate of

the GRDP in Liaocheng Shi ranked 2nd in Shandong Province, the growth rate of the fiscal revenue in the

region within Shandong Province ranked 1st.

With the aim of constructing the whole “Ecology City”, Liaocheng Shi will do its best to be reborn as the

emerging ecology industry city in the western region of Shandong Province, the city of the hub of commerce

and distribution located in the cross section of Hubei, Shandong, Hunan Provinces, and the city of culture,

tourism, and leisure in the northern portion of the Yangtze River.

“Liaocheng Shi sincerely welcomes your visit to travel and invest.”

1. The night scenery of the Liaocheng Shi2. The scheme drawing of the Gyeonggi-do Province

Industrial Complex3. Shan Shan Hall: the place for art performance, which was

built by funds of the ancient merchants in the neighboringregion

4. Yellow River Ecology Culture Zone5. Production Line of Electric Vehicle6. Dongchang Lake7. Liaocheng Industrial Complex8. The theater of Liaocheng Shi9. An air view of the Gyeonggi-do Province Industrial

Complex

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The Association of North East Asia Regional Governments3F Pohang Technopark, #394 Jigok-ro (#601 Jigok-dong), Namgu, Pohang City, Gyeongsangbuk-do, ROK

T. +82-54-223-2311~20 F. +82-54-223-2309 E-mail [email protected] Website www.neargov.org

The Association of North East Asia Regional Governments

NEAR news vol.47 (ENG)

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Transcript of NEAR news vol.47 (ENG)