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Guide Dog Proliferation Caravan Pays Courtesy Visit to Governor	posted on 2012/09/25

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Sep. 18, The Guide Dog Proliferation Caravan “Chuushikoku Smile Walk” which works to improve understanding and cooperation regarding Guide dogs, paid a courtesy visit to Governor Ishii at the Prefectural Office Building.
Staff of the Japan Guide Dog Association’s Shimane Asahi Training Centre, which is running the caravan, gave an explanation of the need to spread guide dog training projects, and presented the Governor with a “Service Dogs Welcome” sticker.
The Guide Dog users travelling with the caravan stated their hopes, saying “The guide dogs are our indispensable partners.? However, even today many restaurants refuse us entry, showing an insufficient understanding regarding guide dogs.? This is something we wish for the administration to work on”.

The governor said “I will endeavor to improve understanding of guide dogs through proliferation and education” before putting on an eye mask and taking a walk with the PR dog Nasshu.

Governor Visits the Elderly on Aged Respect Day	posted on 2012/09/18

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Sep. 17, In conjunction with Aged Respect Day, Governor Ishii paid a visit to Mr. Natsuji Nagao (104) of Akaiwa City.

The governor gave words of celebration, saying “Please lead an energetic life for many more years to come”, and presented a commemorative gift.? In response to this, Mr. Nagao smiled and said “Thank you very much.? I hope to live for about another 5 years”.? A commemorative photograph was then taken with Mr. Nagao and the four generations of his family, from his children through to his great-great-grandchildren, who had gathered together to celebrate his longevity.

2012 London Paralympic Games Athletes Courtesy Visit to Governor Ishii	posted on 2012/08/06

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　3 August, Athletes Hitoshi Matsunaga and Yuka Kiyama, who will represent Japan at the 2012 London Paralympic Games as track and field participants, paid a courtesy visit to Governor Ishii at the Prefectural Government Office.
　The Governor presented the athletes with flower bouquets, and provided words of encouragement, saying “I ask that you provide dreams, courage, and exhilaration to the citizens of the prefecture.? I, along with the rest of the people of Okayama, am supporting you”.
　In response to this, both athletes voiced their determination, with Mr. Matsunaga saying “I will make every possible effort to win a medal”, while Ms. Kiyama said “I hope to obtain as high a placing as possible”.
　Apart from Mr. Matsunaga and Ms. Kiyama, other athletes with a connection to Okayama Prefecture who will be participating in the 2012 London Paralympic Games are as follows:

Satoko Kikuchi (Sitting Volleyball)

Mimasaka Province 1300 Year Anniversary PR Group Courtesy Visit to Governo	posted on 2012/08/31

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　29 August, the Mimasaka Province 1300 Year Anniversary PR Group paid a courtesy visit to Governor Ishii at the Prefectural Government Office.
　The group, including three members of the local idol unit “SakuLove” who are serving as PR “angels” for the 1300 year anniversary of the founding of the Mimasaka Province, provided an introduction of the anniversary events. The Governor provided words of encouragement, saying “let’s work towards a lively celebration”.

“Jiangxi, China Friendship Delegation” and “Gyeongsangnam-do, Korea Youth Delegation” Pay Governor Courtesy Visit	posted on 2012/07/27

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　26 July, As a part of the 20th anniversary of the friendship agreement, the Jiangxi, China Friendship Delegation (lead by delegation head Yao Mugen, Vice Governor of the People’s Government of Jiangxi Province), comprised of 12 members, paid a courtesy visit to Governor Ishii, and discussed the various exchange which had been thus far been carried out in such fields as agriculture and education.
　Vice Governor Yao Mugen spoke of Jiangxi’s high speed economic development, while the Governor stated that the increase in flights between Okayama and Shanghai will improve convenience of travel between the two areas.? From this exchange it could be seen that future mutual exchange promises to be increasingly vigorous.
　27 July, a youth delegation from Gyeongsangnam-do, Korea, comprising of 21 members paid a courtesy visit to Governor Ishii at the Okayama Prefectural Government Office.
　The group stayed in Okayama from July 26-30, and took part in a wide variety of exchange programs including participation in Okayama Prefectural Asahi High School’s Japan-Korea joint class, club activities, and home-stay at the homes of students who were part of a delegation to Gyeongsangnam-do the previous year.

“Sports Focused Prefecture Okayama” Proclamation Ceremony Held	posted on 2012/07/18

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　16 July,? The “Sports Focused Prefecture Okayama” Proclamation Ceremony was held and attended by some 300 members of such related organizations as the Prefectural Administration, the Prefectural Assembly, and the Prefectural and Municipal Boards of Education.
　Sharing the prefectural citizenship’s passion for sports, Governor Ishii made the “Sports Focused Prefecture Okayama” proclamation for the purpose of deepening regional bonds with the power of sports, and to transmit information which provides emotion and energy from Okayama to the whole country.
　Continuing on from this, an encouragement ceremony for the upcoming National Sports Festival and National Sports Festival for People with Disabilities was held, with related parties and participating athletes receiving words of encouragement.

Okayama Seagulls’ Mai Yamaguchi pays Courtesy Visit to Governor Ishii	posted on 2012/08/07

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　27 June, Okayama Seagulls’ Mai Yamaguchi, who was selected as a female London Olympics representative for Japan in women’s volleyball, paid a courtesy visit to Governor Ishii at the Okayama Prefectural Government Office.
　The Governor said “I am overjoyed at your participation in your first Olympics as an Okayama Seagulls’ athlete. Please try your hardest while aiming for a gold medal”.? In reply to this statement of encouragement, Miss Mai Yamaguchi replied “It is an honour to have been chosen as an Olympic representative for Japan.? I will do my best to ensure that we, as a team, close in on our target of gold”.

　 Apart from Miss Mai Yamaguchi, other athletes competing in the 2012 London Olympics who have a connection with Okayama Prefecture are as follows:Risa Shigetomo (Marathon); Satoshi Shimizu (Boxing); Hitomi Niiya (5000m); Erika Araki (Volleyball); Miho Fukumoto (Soccer); Aya Miyama (Soccer); Rie Katayama (Mountain Biking).

The Twelfth Okayama Prefecture Disabled Sports Tournament, “The Kira-lympics”, Opening Ceremony	posted on 2012/07/10

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　13 May, the opening ceremony for the twelfth Okayama Prefectural Disabled Sports Tournament, “The Kira-lympics”, was held at Kanko Stadium in Kita Ward, Okayama City, with the tournament president, Governor Ishii, giving an address which included sign language.
　The following track and field events featured fifteen events, including the 100 metre sprint and the long jump, and were participated in by some 830 athletes, all of whom, while sweating in the fine weather, displayed admirably the results of their relentless training.

Prefectural Fruit Produce (Muscat etc.) Sales Promotion in Tokyo	posted on 2012/07/10

　28 May, The first auction of Okayama Prefecture Muscat was held at the Tokyo Metropolitan Central Wholesale Market: Ota Market.
　Leading the auction, Governor Ishii carried out PR to market related parties regarding such prefectural fruit produce as Muscat, Pione, and White Peaches, while promoting the image of “Okayama, the Kingdom of Fruits”

Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV) Homecoming Briefing Meeting Held	posted on 2012/07/10

　14 May, Four returning JOCV members and Japan Senior Volunteers who travelled from Okayama Prefecture met with Governor Ishii at the Okayama Prefectural Government Office to report on their activities and experiences in the countries they were dispatched to.
　The returning members advised the Governor of the conditions and problems being faced by the countries, whose climates and natural conditions vary widely to that of Japan, and also took part in an opinion exchange regarding feasible contributions from Japan.

The 13th “Okayama Art Culture Prize” Awards Ceremony	posted on 2012/05/18

　27 Apr., The awards ceremony of the “Okayama Art Culture Prize”, which recognizes individuals and groups who have made outstanding achievements in the field of art culture, was held at the Prefectural Government Office.
Three Grand Prize winners, seven second place winners, and three merit award winners were all awarded with respective certificates of commendation, mounted medallions, and prize money.

“Alliance of Governors and Designated City Mayors for the Consolidation of Local Governments” Begins	posted on 2012/05/18

　20 Apr., Promoted by Governor Ishii and three other administrative heads, the inaugural meeting of the “Alliance of Governors and Designated City Mayors for the Consolidation of Local Governments” was held in Tokyo, and was attended by nine prefectural governors and 15 designated city mayors. Through the promotional alliance, the various regions aim to arouse national debate, while, through the mobilization of government and political parties, creating a path towards the introduction of a consolidation of local governments which upholds local sovereignty.
In addition to election of Mayor Hashimoto of Osaka City and Governor Ishii being elected as joint representatives, the inaugural meeting also addressed (1) Proposals/requests to the Government/parties; (2) the institutional design of a pattern of local government consolidation which will preserve local sovereignty; (3) Coordination with other bodies; (4)　An action plan to support publicity and advertising directed at the Japanese people.
Additionally, following the inaugural meeting, Governor Ishii, together with Miyagi Prefectural Governor Murai and Fukuoka City Mayor Takashima, undertook to petition the political parties with such requests which reflect regional opinion as the prompt institution of a law implementing the consolidation of local governments.

Risa Shigetomo of the Tenmaya Ladies’ Athletics Department Pays Courtesy Visit to the Governor	posted on 2012/05/18

　13 Mar., Okayama Prefecture’s Risa Shigetomo of the Tenmaya Ladies’ Athletics Department, who was decorated with her first championship win at the “Osaka International Ladies’ Marathon” held in Osaka City on the 29th of January, and who was tentatively selected as a representative athlete for the London Olympics by the Japan Association of Athletics Federations on the 12th of March, paid a courtesy visit to Governor Ishii at the Okayama Prefectural Government Office.
　 Along with a bouquet and a commemorative present, the Governor also provided the following words of blessing and encouragement: “Congratulations on your selection to compete in the London Olympics. I hope for you to be able to acquire a medal, and through this touch the dreams and hearts of many prefectural citizens”.

2011 Fiscal Year’s “Momotaro School for Hometown Development” Juku Graduation Ceremony	posted on 2012/05/18

　The Osaka Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China, Liu Yiren, and the Osaka/Kobe Consulate General of the United States of America, Patrick Joseph Linehan, paid courtesy visits to Governor Ishii at the Prefectural Government Office on the 13th and 14th of March respectively.

Young People’s Employment Interview Fair	posted on 2012/03/29

　15 Feb., The Young People’s Employment Interview Fair, sponsored by the “Okayama Headquarters for Graduate Employment Support”, an organisation comprised by such bodies as the Prefectural Administration, the Labour Bureau, and various economic associations, was held at Momotaro Arena in Kita Ward, Okayama City. In attendance were 657 students due to graduate this spring, as well as representatives from 251 of the Prefecture’s businesses.
　While requesting the cooperation of the businesses, Governor Ishii has the following encouraging message for the young people in attendance: “I am supporting the young people, in whom the future of Okayama is entrusted, so that this spring they may hold their dreams and hopes, and spread their wings and fly.”

Mayor of Natori City, Miyagi Prefecture Pays Courtesy Visit to Governor Ishii	posted on 2012/03/29

　1 Feb., Mayor Is? Sasaki of Natori City, Miyagi Prefecture, paid a courtesy visit to Governor Ishii at the Prefectural Government Office. Mayor Sasaki expressed gratitude for the workers dispatched from Okayama Prefecture, presenting a letter of gratitude and specialty products, while also providing an outline of the damage suffered by Natori City.
　Governor Ishii stated that he had established the Prefectural Citizens Council in order to provide aid from the whole of Okayama Prefecture, and that this aid would continue to be provided from now.

Attendance of the Integrated Special District Designation Award Ceremony	posted on 2012/03/29

　18 Jan., Governor Ishii attended the Integrated Special District Designation Award Ceremony at the Prime Minister’s official residence, and was presented with the certificate of designation for the “Hyper Logistics and Green Innovation Mizushima Complex Integrated Special District” by Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda.
　 The Prefectural Administration now aims to create “a complex model for Japan, a leading competitor amongst the accumulated growth industries of Asia”, and to this purpose is taking advantage of the Integrated Special District designation to strive to even further develop the Mizushima Complex.

Kurashiki High School Track and Field Club makes Courtesy Visit to Governor	posted on 2012/02/29

　6 Jan., Principal Abe, the director of the track and field club, and seven athletes, all of the Kurashiki High School which came runner up in the “62nd National High School Males Long Distance Relay Competition ”, held on the 25th of December in Kyoto, made a courtesy visit to Governor Ishii at the Prefectural Government Office.
　 The Governor commented, “By acquiring Okayama’s first males’ medal in being placed runners up, you have provided joy and excitement to the residents of the Prefecture. I am looking forward to your efforts in training pushing forward this prefecture’s record of consecutive participation to 35 times, and to seeing even more success on your behalf as a result”, offering words of congratulations and encouragement, and presented the athletes with a memento of the occasion.

International Affairs Division, Okayama Prefectural Government
2-4-6 Uchisange, Okayama, JAPAN 700-8570　TEL:086-226-7283