Study Trip to Japan – with reflectionsSwedish-Japanese Parliamentary AssociationMarch 26 – April 3, 2016

Anette Åkesson, Member of the Swedish ParliamentStand-in for Head of Delegation Lena Asplund

• Programme• Media?• Reflections

Programme• Very varied – members of 10 (of 15) parliamentary committees• Meeting students of Meiji University and touring Nakano Broadway• JR Control Room• Swedish Embassy: Current Japanes affairs and meeting with Swedish

business people• Meeting members of House of Representatives and Japan-Sweden

Parliamentary Friendship League• Appreciated: not completely full schedule in Tokyo – time to see a little • Hokkaido Shinkansen• Botanical Garden and Mayor of Hakodate• Mayor of Tobetsu, Zenkyuji Temple children´s activities, Swedish Center

Foundation in Swedish Hill

Programme, continued• Sapporo Tram picnic • Dr Suzuki´s Clinic, private home for dement people and an elderly center• Mayor of Sapporo• Proton Beam Therapy and tour of Hokkaido University Hospital• Cultural reception• Hokkaido Government Council• Discussions on Japanese Defense and Security Policy • Marukoma Onsen Spa

Media?• In Tokyo: no (obviously)• In Hokkaido: a lot of attention

Hokkaido Shimbun

Shin-Hakodate Stationwith corresponding report on NHKTV

The Nikkei

Mayor of Sapporos´s blogg

Reflections• Very friendly people despite some language challenges

• Extremely well organised – impressive (waiting in line is no problem!)

• Great food (and drinks)• What can Sweden learn from Japan?

• Focus on challenges of aging population, declining population and urbanisation everywhere – awareness among population

• Shinkansen – work on gradual improvements, focus on technical stability and safety, exact door positions and lines

• Metro in Tokyo and Sapporo – information system for exit• Special equipment

• Will I go back? Yes, definitely