Oita OVOP Bulletin · “Oita Prefecture OVOP Annual Convention ... the Oita Prefecture OVOP Annual Meeting was held in Oita City, with about 200 en- ... they came to Oita on the

In order to further promote regional development and international exchanges through OVOP, we incorporated our former council and newly founded a non profit organization last April. The fol-lowing are our main activities during the 2005 fiscal year (April 2005-March 2006).

Ｈｅａｄｌｉｎｅｎｅｗｓ NPO Oita OVOP International Exchange Promotion Committee” established

Oita OVOP BulletinOita OVOP Bulletin One Village One Product

２００６．FEB.１

No．1

Oita OVOP International Exchange Promotion Committee, JAPAN

Opening Ceremony at Xi’an

５．President Hiramatsu makes a keynote speech in Thailand During December 8-9, 2005, the “First Thailand Community Economies Symposium on Knowledge-Based Strategic Development for Community Economies” was held in Chiang Mai, attended by university profes-sors, researchers, government officials and many other people related to economic or regional development policies. President Hiramatsu was invited to make a keynote speech on ‘Self-sufficiency Concept and Oita’s Community Business Development.’ Some people point out that the philosophy of Sufficiency Economy ad-vocated by the King of Thailand and the OVOP concept are similar in many respects.

１．OVOP Study Tours We have received 53 groups of government officials, researchers and business people from 21 countries totaling 970 people, who wanted to learn about Oita’s movement and to have exchanges with our local entrepreneurs. (see the attached sheet)

３．“One Village One Product International Seminar (Xi’an/China)” was held successfully

Following the OVOP Summit in Thailand in 2004, the International OVOP Seminar took place in Xi’an, China, during November 5-7, 2005, cosponsored by Shaanxi Provincial Government, the State Agricultural Ministry of P.R.China, the State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs, China, and Oita OVOP Committee. The event was held on a large scale, attended by approximately 900 people from 19 countries, which included Mr. Zeng Quinghong, Vice President of P. R.China, Dr. Somkid Jatusripitak, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Fi-nance, Thailand, and Mr. Murayama, former prime minister of Japan. President Hiramatsu was made a keynote speech We were happy to see that the OVOP movement is estimated as a useful regional revitalization tool in each country, and has spread around the world.

４．“Oita Prefecture OVOP Annual Convention” On November 16, 2005, the Oita Prefecture OVOP Annual Meeting was held in Oita City, with about 200 en-trepreneurs participating. A delegation of 17 people from Jiungsu Province, China, and Mr. Isao Taoka, Am-bassador of Paraguay to Japan, also joined the convention. Mr. Taoka enthusiastically spoke about the present and future of the OVOP movement in Paraguay. A heated panel discussion on ‘OVOP Movement and Women’s Role’ was held as well.

２．Meetings with Leading Political Figures of China President Hiramatsu met Mr. Zeng Quinghong, Vice President of P. R.China, at the Great Hall of the People in May, 2005, and also met Mayor Han Zheng of Shanghai City in July. They exchanged views on the promotion of cooperative relations between China and Oita through the OVOP movement.

ＴｈｉｎｋＴｈｉｎｋＧｌｏｂａｌｌｙ，Ｇｌｏｂａｌｌｙ，ＡｃｔＡｃｔＬｏｃａｌｌｙＬｏｃａｌｌｙ

Oita OVOP International Exchange Promotion Committee

Contact Us 3F Mitsui Bldg., 1-4-35, Maizuru-machi,Oita 870-0044, JAPAN

Tel: +81-97-540-5243 Fax: +81-97-540-5253 E-mail: [email protected]

Our Web Site is Http://www.ovop.jp/

Recently, we have received a wonderful gift of SDSI products from the Ministry of Entrepreneur and Cooperative Development (MECD), Ma-laysia. Ms. Nurul and Ms. Ummi of this ministry attended the 2005 Seminar, and we exchanged views on the OVOP movement. The OVOP movement has been implemented in Malaysia as ‘Satu Daerah Satu Indusri’ or ‘One District One Industry.’ Seventy-nine out of 134 districts are involved in the SDSI movement, producing 210 products in four categories; crafts, foods, rural industries and services. Presently, 1,420 entrepreneurs are actively developing a variety of products. The MECD will hold the “SDSI Showcase” soon during March 31-April 2, 2006, in Kuala Lumpur. Please contact them if you need further infor-mation: Ministry of Entrepreneur and C0-operative Development(MECD) Business Development Division Level 6, Lot2G6, Precint 2, Federal Government Administrative Center 62100 Putrajaya, MALAYSIA Tel: 603-88805292 Fax: 603-88805316

Website: www.mecd.gov.my

Ｔｏｐｉｃｓ

We hope that you read the first issue of Oita OVOP Bulletin with great interest. We now send you the 2nd issue, hoping that the bulletin will be of some help to your regional revi-talization efforts. The following are OVOP study tours re-ceived by us in Oita during January 2006.


２００６．Ｆｅｂ．２２

Ｎｏ．２


Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand at Tokiwa shopping mall (center)

Jan. 28-29---Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand visits Oita

Pol. Gen. Mr. Chidchai Vanasatidya, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice of Thailand came to Japan with a group of eight members for a fact-finding tour especially concerned with the commerciali-zation of agricultural products, the distribution system and the financial system for farmers. What they have obtained through the study will help spread the OTOP Campaign, the Thai version of OVOP, to the low-income group in Thailand. After visiting the Kansai District, they came to Oita on the 28th. They looked around ‘Tokiwa Wasada Town,’ a suburban shopping mall in Oita City. Their questions focused on hot-selling agricultural products and processed foods, and also food safety and traceability. On the following day, they went to Yufuin, a successful OVOP model of tourism. They showed a great interest in various souvenirs, especially those made in Asia.

Jan. 12-----Advanced Autonomy Study Tour by “Korea Presi-dential Committee on Balanced National Development”

“Saemaeul Undong” has been nationally promoted to invigorate each region in Korea. As part of the new dynamism promotion project, the above committee is exploring possible measures to create and develop another national movement. A delegation of 16 members of the Ongjin-gun Regional Vitalization Com-mittee led by Prof. Yoon Jae Seon at Hallym College came to Oita. During their visit, they enjoyed a farm stay in Ajimu Town, exchanging views on human resources development with local leaders there.

Jan. 14-21---China National Committee for Pacific Economic Cooperation The subcommittee on Industry and Commerce of the above committee sent a delegation to Oita to learn about regional development in mountainous areas. The group included the secretary, the mayor and some business leaders from Maojiayu Village, Tian Jin City, totaling 12 people. Maojiayu Village, located about 90km away from Beijing, is a well-known producer of Tian Jin chestnuts. In recent years, they have been promoting green tourism. Since the geographical situation of this village is close to that of Oyama Town, Oita Pref., we gave them a lecture especially on Oyama’s successful activities including its inno-vative agricultural cooperative. The group stayed in Oita for a week, enthusiastically observing various cases that can be representatives of the OVOP movement.

Jan. 23-----Deputy Mayor of Lang Fang City, Hebei Province, China

Lang Fang City is located about 60km from Beijing and has a population of 3.4 million. The heart of the city is a beautiful gar-den. The city sent to Oita a delegation of 21 people led by its dep-uty mayor to study about intensive farming in the suburbs of big cities.

ＫｏｒｅａｎＧｒｏｕｐｉｎＹｕｆｕｉｎ




ホームページもご覧下さい Http://www.ovop.jp/

On January 28, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan officially announced that they will create an international ver-sion of OVOP and apply it to the aid program for LDC (Least Devel-oped Countries) in Asia and Africa, in cooperation with JETRO, the Japan External Trade Organization. The program includes the devel-opment or improvement of handicrafts, textiles, and other specialties of LDC, the dispatch of experts from Japan, the acceptance of trainees in Japan, and the exhibition and sales of LDC products in Japan. Through the program, globally-marketable products are expected to be created, and the Japanese government will also give support and assistance in exhibiting and marketing these products in Japan. If this medium-and long-term program, which covers the development of experts to the production/ marketing of products, is implemented successfully, seeders or leaders of regional development will be cul-tivated faster in these countries. On January 31, Minister Nikai of the Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry gave a briefing of the pro-gram to the related ambassadors in Tokyo.

Ｔｏｐｉｃｓ


This is the logotype of Inter-national OVOP Campaign published by METI. The hand gripping “1” im-ages the pride as “This is the No. 1 of our village”.





February



Farm-stay in Ajimu Town

President Hiramatsu addresses African Ambassadors Meeting（Feb. 16） At the invitation of Mr. Salah HANNACHI, Ambassador of Tunisia to Japan and the chairman of the Conference of African Ambassa-dors to Japan, President Hiramatsu made a speech on the OVOP movement during the ambassadors meeting at the embassy of Mau-ritania in Tokyo. The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan is promoting the international version of the OVOP campaign especially for least developed countries in Asia and Africa. Many questions about the campaign were received from the audience.

An Administrative Research Tour by Aomori Pref. Shimokita-gun Municipal Mayors Council.（Feb. 2）

A group of six people led by Mr. Kenichi Ota, Chairman of Shimokita Towns and Villages Council and the mayor of Sai Village, came to Oita for an administrative study tour. Through the good offices of Mr. Katsuji Shuto, an Oita Prefectural Assembly member, they met President Hiramatsu to learn about regional revitalization through the “One Village, One Prod-uct” movement. A lively discussion was held between Mr. Hiramatsu and the group including Mr. Kanazawa, the mayor of Oma Town, which is fa-mous for the pole-and-line fishing of tuna. They visited Nagayu Spa, Taketa City and several other places in Oita for study.

The Ministry of Industry of Thailand（Feb. 9-11）

Thailand is promoting nationwide the OTOP campaign, the Thai version of the OVOP movement. A delegation of 15 heads of local agencies of the Ministry of Industry came to Oita, a fore-runner in regional vitalization. They stayed here for three days to visit various places, studying enthusiastically the techniques to process local specialties as well as marketing know-how.

JICA Seminar for Municipal Mayors of Clustered LGUs （Feb. 13-21） Through a JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) program, eight municipal mayors of local government units of the Philippines came to Oita to learn about the OVOP movement. During their 9-day visit, they observed various places engaging in regional revitalization. They enjoyed a farm-stay for one night in Ajimu Town to experience green tourism. Some members of the group shed tears when they said goodbye to the farmers who accommodated them.

Mayors of Shimokita-gun, Aomori Pref.

A Soymilk factory, Innai Town, Oita

African Ambassadors Meeting in Tokyo

No.3

２００６．March．14

In February, Oita OVOP International Exchange Promotion Committee marked a remarkable milestone. The number of people from overseas coming to Oita to study OVOP during the 2005 fiscal year exceeded 1,000. The number has steadily in-creased year by year from 623 in 2003 and 816 in 2004. To classify it by countries, Thailand was the biggest group, 467 or 44% of all trainees, followed by Korea, 270 or 26%, and China, 224 or 21%. The rest were from 20 countries and regions in-cluding Africa, the Middle East and South America. Especially in Thailand, the OVOP movement has been applied to its national policies, which is attributed to fre-quent study tours by Parliament members, high-ranking officials of related ministries and provincial governors. Along with a project of the international version of the OVOP movement launched by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Ja-pan, more attention will be drawn to Oita.

Hot News① Over 1,000 people visit Oita!

A delegation led by the mayor of Maojiayu Village in Tian Jin City came to Oita in January, 2006, for a one-week fact finding tour. This time, Senior Managing Director Ando of Oita OVOP International Exchange Promotion Committee visited there to ob-serve and exchange views on Green Tourism the village is promoting. In response to the request from Yunnan Province, he also visited Lijiang, World Heritage Site, and Kunming, Yunnan’s capital, to discuss future exchanges between Yunnan Province and this committee, and to deepen friendship with each other.

Ratio in Countries

Page 2 No.3

“OVOP Products Exhibition” displaying specialty products of 23 developing coun-tries in Asia and Africa was held at the lobby on the first floor of the main building of Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan. This event was conducted as part of the ministry’s project, the international version of OVOP campaign. They exhib-ited 77 items including coffee beans of Ethiopia, and peppers of Cambodia.

“OVOP Products Exhibition” hosted by the METI（Feb. 27-Mar. 3）

UN/ JICA Regional Development Project（Feb. 27-28）

Through a project sponsored by the United Nations’ Center for Regional Development and also JICA, seven officials from Laos, Myanmar and the Philippines came to Oita to learn about regional development. Their studies focused on regional vitalization through tourism in Yufuin, and women’s entrepreneurial activities in Amagase Town.

Mekong Exhibition sponsored by JETRO (Japan External Trade Organization) took place in Tokyo to introduce various products and OVOP campaigns being imple-mented in the Mekong Region; Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam. This exhibition also aimed at promoting their trade with Japan. The opening cere-mony was attended by many ambassadors to Japan and Mr. Takebe, the Secretary–General of the Liberal Democratic Party, Japan, who cut the tape for the opening.

“Mekong Exhibition” in Tokyo（Feb. 21-24）

Laos booth exhibiting silk products

OVOP Products Exhibition

Women entrepreneurs in Amagase

Oita OVOP Committee visits Maojiayu Village in Tian Jin City and also Yunnan Provine, China.（Feb. 20-25）

Artificial Flowers, OVOP of Kunming

My office, JETRO Bangkok, helps strengthen the ties between Thai-land and Japan in the fields of trade, investments and industries, and also facilitates smoother activities of Japanese companies in Asia. Our tasks include the introduction of the OVOP movement to other Asian countries and also the promotion of Japan’s excellent designs in Asia. Since the year 2001, the Thai government has introduced Oita’s OVOP movement and promoted it nationwide as the OTOP campaign, which has made a great success with the full participation of both public and private sectors. In 2004, the International OVOP Summit took place in Chiang Mai under the sponsorship of the Thai government, attended by many leaders in-volved in the OVOP movement in each country especially in Asia. In February 2006, we held an exhibition, “DNA of Japanese Design,” in order to introduce various Japanese designs to designers and students in Thailand. In December last year, we held the “2nd Japanese Foods Fair” to further promote Japanese foods in Asia. A box of nine big strawber-ries cost 3,000yen, but sold out quickly. Japanese rice priced ten times higher than Thai rice also sold like wildfire. This year, we are planning to open a “Thai Foods Fair” in Japan.

Hot News② A Correspondence from Mr. Kuroda, President of JETRO Bangkok, Thailand


Mr. Kuroda, President of JETRO Bangkok (left), and President Hiramatsu (right) at “2004 OVOP Summit in Chiang Mai”






March



“Korea Presidential Committee on Balanced National Development” (Mar. 11) A group of 6 members of “Korea Presidential Committee on Balanced National Development” led by Chairman Seong, Kyung-Ryung visited Yufuin Town, and met President Hiramatsu and Vice President Mizoguchi of Oita OVOP International Exchange Promotion Committee. They discussed various issues of regional development, and exchanged views on the new dynamism pro-motion campaign being propelled in Korea, as well as on how to deepen the cooperative relationship among Asian countries and regions.

A Delegation from Uisung-gun, Korea (Mar. 2)

A delegation of 27 members of the Uisung-gun Regional Vi-talization Committee, Korea, came to Oita to visit Oita-Oyama Agricultural Cooperative Assoc., Hita City, which is a successful model of the OVOP movement.

Ambassador of Brunei Darussalam Visits Oita (Mar. 6-8)

Ambassador of Brunei Darussalam to Japan, H.E. Dato Adnan, came to Oita for study. Blessed with the revenues from crude oil and natural gas, Brunei Darussalam enjoys a stable economy. However, due to the non-renewable nature of these resources, the country is aiming at economic diversification including the strengthening of local industries and also the promotion of tourism. They are thinking to introduce the OVOP movement to its policy to develop non-oil and gas activities. Ambassador of Brunei Darussalam

Mushroom Center in Yufuin

No.4

２００６．April10

Oita-Oyama Agricultural Cooperative Assoc. Visits Yunnan Province, China (Mar. 12-18)

Along with two staff members of Oita OVOP International Exchange Promotion Committee, Chairman Kinji Yahata and several other members of Oita-Oyama Agricultural Cooperative Assoc. went to Yunnan Province, which is aiming at becoming a model district of the OVOP movement in China. Yunnan Prov-ince is dubbed as a treasure house of mushrooms, exporting a large amount of mushrooms to Italy, France and other countries in the world. (continued)

Welcome dance by local people

Among their mushrooms, matsutake mushrooms and dictyophora in-dusiata (kinugasa mushrooms) taste especially good. Oita-Oyama Ag-ricultural Cooperative Assoc. is planning to run a “mushroom hot pot restaurant” using these two kings. If things go well, they will open one in Oyama Town, Hita City, and also in Oita City late in April, 2006.

Page 2 No.4

H.E. Dr. Bingu Wa Mutharika, President of the Republic of Malawi, Africa, and President Hiramatsu met at a hotel in Tokyo. They had a hot and concrete discussion on how to promote the OVOP campaign in Ma-lawi, as well as on the cooperation and assistance the Oita OVOP Com-mittee could provide Malawi to help them further facilitate their campaign. The meeting was attended by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, the Chief Cabinet Secre-tary, and several high ranking officials of Malawi, and also Ambassador Miyashita of Japan to Malawi. Following the meeting, Mr Davies Chester Katsonga, Minister of For-eign Affairs and Dr George T. Chaponda, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development came to Oita on the 19th and 20th of March for a fact-finding tour especially about the production and marketing of prod-ucts. They visited Tokiwa Industry Akeno to observe how local products are sold at local shops, Oyama Agricultural Coop’s ‘Konohana Garten,’ an organic food restaurant, a karinto maker (a traditional Japanese snack) in Amagase Town, Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU) in Beppu, among others, during their stay.

President Hiramatsu meets H.E. Dr. Bingu Wa Mutharika, President of the Republic of Malawi in Tokyo (Mar. 16)

JICA Seminar for Ghanaian Officials (Mar. 16) Eight officials of the Ministry of Trade and Industry of the Republic of Ghana came to Oita through JICA’s local industry vitalization program. They first took a seminar on the OVOP movement, and visited a pickles factory run by Kusu-Kokonoe Agricultural Cooperative, Oita Prefecture, for study.

President Mutharika of Malawi

Mar. 20-------APU-RCAPS Symposium Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU) and Institute of Developing Economies of JETRO (Japan External Trade Organization) jointly held a symposium on “Experience of Japanese Local Industrial Promotion Poli-cies and its Lessons to Developing Countries” at APU, Beppu City, Oita Pref. During the symposium, researchers and experts presented the results of their studies including analyses of the OVOP movement being pro-moted in Asia and Africa, as well as various issues accompanying OVOP activities. Their research, studies and fact-findings are remarkably accu-rate and informative, which are excellent fruits of their efforts. We expect them to be published in the very near future.

Symposium Panelists





Contact Us at: 3F Mitsui Bldg., 1-4-35, Maizuru-machi,Oita 870-0044, JAPAN


President Hiramatsu’s Lecture in Shiogama City, Japan (Mar. 28) President Hiramatsu gave a lecture on regional revitalization on the theme of “Regional Potential and Port Potential” in Shiogama City, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan. On the other hand, on the same day, Mr. Susumu Kanma, a member of Miyagi Prefectural Assembly, visited the office of this committee in Oita. He and our staff exchanged views on the correlation between the OVOP movement and tourism, referring to various examples of tourism. In the afternoon, Mr. Kanma went to see around Bungo-Takada City, which is promoting tourism as a town with full of the retro feel of the Showa era (1926-1989).

Town Development Seminar

Hot News: President Hiramatsu obtains a Ph.D. in Policy Science Based on his career as governor for six straight terms totaling 24 years, President Hiramatsu wrote his PhD dissertation on the “Policy and Strategy for Independence of Local Autonomy-Challenges of Oita Prefecture.” It took him approximately one year to finish it, and just recently, he obtained a Ph.D. in policy science from Ritsumeikan University in Kyoto, Japan.

Presentation of Ph.D.

Mrs Thitima Muenthongchin of Export Promotion Department, Thailand, has sent us the information of OTOP-movement related activities. We attach it to this newsletter. We hope you will read it with great interest!!" “OTOP to the World” will take place soon on April 18.

Information of OTOP Related Activities in Thailand

April



Presidential Committee on Balanced National Development, Korea (April 3) Led by Director General Jin, Hyeok, a group of 12 members of the Presidential Committee on Balanced National Development of Korea visited Oita. Following the discussions which were primarily on exchanges through regional revitalization efforts between Korea and Oita, they made a study tour to several successful OVOP models including Yufuin Town and Oyama Town.

Malaysia SDSI Showcase (April 6-8) Following the opening ceremony on April 6 attended by Deputy Prime Minister Mohd Najib Razak and other ministers, “SDSI (One District One Industry) Showcase” was held at the Malacca International Trade Center on a large scale until April 8 in order to introduce many products and gems of the Malaysian version of OVOP Movement. Various products from over 130 districts were exhibited and sold, from which we saw the rise of SDSI campaign and the great expectation for its ef-fects in Malaysia. As a SDSI related institution, Kuala Lumpur Craft Complex has been established for the promotion of traditional crafts and the introduction and hands-on learning experience of Malaysian life and culture. This facility is expected to develop further as a new tourist at-traction. The promotion of green tourism is also focused on in Malay-sia, which is a good opportunity for us to learn about multiracial society, as well as about a cultural diversity based on Islam. For further infor-mation, please visit their websites below. SDSI: Ministry of Entrepreneur and Co-operative Development: www.mecd.gov.my Kuala Lumpur Craft Complex: www.kraftangan.gov.my Tourism Bureau: www.tourismmalaysia.or.jp

SDSI Showcase

SDSI Logo

No.5

２００６．May 11

Lanzhon City Delegation

Mushroom Farmer, Yufuin Town

Deputy Mayor of Lanzhon City, China, and four other members visited Oita for a fact-finding tour of Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University in Beppu City, etc.

A Delegation of Lanzhon City, China (April 8)

Rajamangala University of Technology, Thailand (April 17-19)

A delegation of 23 people of Rajamangala University of Technology, Thailand, led by Vice President Walai Hutakovit, came to Oita. Their tour was focused on the learning of OVOP concept, product design and the R&D of new products.

TOKIWA INDUSTRY AKENO

A group of 15 people led by Mr. Thiraphong Tangthirasunan, Presi-dent of Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives visited Oita OVOP International Exchange Promotion Committee. We engaged in active discussions on the role that financial institutions relevant to agri-culture should play to further facilitate regional development. The president visited Oita for the second time after first visiting in January this year.

Page 2 No.5

① According to China Internet Information Center, the Ministry of Agriculture of China has an-nounced that they will work out the three projects of industrial promotion, science & technology and ecological preservation to support the establishment of new socialist villages, aiming at raising farmers’ incomes. The ministry will facilitate industrial promotion through developing industrial infrastructure based on the concept of improving farmers’ lives through the “One Village, One Product” Movement; ad-justing agricultural products farming; optimizing an industrial system for agriculture; and improving a working structure in rural areas. Each village will aim at industrial development by maximizing its resources; establishment of an organization for farmers’ economic cooperatives; promotion of agri-cultural industrialization; reinforcement of the system connecting major industries, production base and farmers; integration of production, sales and processing; strengthening of an integrated industrial system for cultivation, breeding and processing.

Other News

CPC municipal committee in Tian Jin City (April 24-25)

Headed by Secretary Sun, a group of seven members of a CPC municipal committee in Tian Jin City, China, came to Oita for an observation trip, and also visited us for exchanging views on the promotion of our relationship. On the same day, Korea Educational Broadcasting System visited Presi-dent Hiramatsu to interview him, and also to cover the meeting between Dr. Hiramatsu and the CPC delegation.

② The “One Village, One Product” Movement appears in the geography textbook, “Active Sogo Chiri Ⅰ/Ⅱ” published by Hamajima Shoten, a publishing company in Japan. The movement is included in an article introducing characteristics of each prefecture of Japan.

Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (April 17)

President Thiraphong (right)

Meeting with Vice President of APU

③ President Hiramatsu appeared in a serial story, “Japan Personal Relationships” of the Asahi Shimbun dated April 26, 2006. The story is about his endeavors in promoting Japanese brand computers in the 1960s while he was working for the Electronics Division of the Ministry of In-ternational Trade and Industry (presently, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry).






④ Prof. Yujiro Okura of Commercial Science at Kansai University has sent us the paper he con-tributed to the April 2006 issue of “Small and Medium Enterprise Management Consultants News,” in Japan; Another Administrative Assessment Analysis Based on Oita Brand Image Research. The paper says that the “One Village, One Product” Movement celebrating its 25th anniversary is among the three characteristic industries of Oita Prefecture, and has made a great impact on the promotion of agriculture and tourism, arousing deep sympathies and keen interests in other Asian countries. Shiitake mushrooms, Ume plums, Kabosu limes, Seki horse mackerels and Seki mackerels are Oita brands known all over Japan, contributing especially to promoting agriculture in Oita. The spirit of self-reliance and no-subsidy policy are key to the success today. Prof. Okura has also presented his interesting research below on things other than tourism that people can name as their image of Oita.

TOPIC: Mushroom Restaurant Opens! On April 28, Oita-Oyama Agricultural Cooperative Assoc. has started “Konohana Garten Mush-room Restaurant.” With the cooperation of Yunnan Province, China, a world famous mushroom producer, the restaurant specializing in mushroom dishes was born in Oyama Town, Hita City, as a new tourist attraction. They use valuable mushrooms including matsutake mushrooms and dictyo-phora indusiata (kinugasa mushrooms) which are quick-freezed and imported directly from Yunnan Province as well as various fresh mushrooms produced in Oyama. With great enthusiasm and ex-pectation, Mr. Yahata, the head of Oyama Agricultural Cooperative and other executives hope to open a restaurant of the same kind in other places in Japan, because it is Japan’s first restaurant making a specialty of mushroom dishes, favored in the current healthy food craze.

Osakaites Oitaites Kansai Univ. Students Oita Univ. Students

1st Fukuzawa Yukichi 41.3 % OVOP Movement 25.5 %

Oita Trinita 41.0 % Oita Trinita 47.2 %

2nd OVOP Movement 18.3 % TOKIWA Department Store 21.3 %

Oita Univ. 29.4 % Oita Univ. 22.1 %

3rd Former Prime Minister Murayama 14.3 %

Oita Trinita/ Oita Univ. 14.8 %

Fukuzawa Yukichi 20.4 % OVOP Movement 11.0 %

May



Presidential Committee on Balanced National Development, Ko-rea (May 16) A delegation of 14 members led by Mr. Kim, Yong-Moon, Director General of Presidential Committee on Balanced National Development of Korea came to Oita to learn mainly about agri-tourism to facilitate regional development in Korea. They looked around Usa City, a winery in Ajimu Town and Yufuin Town.

Chai Nat Province, Thailand (May 22)

Headed by Governor Chadej Musigavong (front r.mid.), a group of 32 people visited our office in Oita to take a seminar on the “One Village, One Product” Movement, and also went on a fact-finding tour to a local department store, Tokiwa Industry Co., Ltd.

No.6

２００６．June12

Director General Kim (right)

Mr. Zhao Zhengyoung, Executive Vice Governor of Shaanxi Province (right e.), visited Oita Prefecture with five other members to observe the actual situation of the OVOP Movement as well as of agriculture in Oita.

A Delegation from Shaanxi Province, China (May 26-28)

A Delegation from Liyang City, Jiangsu Province, China (May 27-28)

Headed by Deputy Mayor, five officials visited Oita for an OVOP seminar and a study tour to Yufuin. Liyang City located near an international city, Shanghai, is aim-ing at becoming a model area of the OVOP Movement, although it has already attained the position of a major producer of electric dynamos and electric cables in China. With the great advantage of the mega market of Shanghai, they are emphasizing the promo-tion of agriculture. It is expected that the city will become a large-scale resort, maxi-mizing the benefits of tourism, agriculture and natural beauty, especially around Ti-namu Lake. Deputy Mayor (front r. right)

Oita Prefecture Thailand Business Mission (May 16-20) Planning Director Shoji Kimoto of Oita OVOP International Exchange Promotion Com. participated in Thailand Business Mission organized by JETRO Oita for sales promotion of Oita products and also for holding a product exhibition there. Director Kimoto visited OTOP Office, a nucleus of the Thai government’s OTOP campaign, to exchange views on present and future subjects of their campaign.

Director General of OTOP (2nd from the right)

Other News 1. On May 7 and 8, major Japanese newspapers, the Asahi, the Mainichi and the Yomiuri carried the latest

stories of the “One Village, One Product” Movement spreading to other countries. The OVOP Movement which started in 1979 is being adopted in 12 other countries and regions especially in

Asia, and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan has launched the international version of the campaign to support least developed countries (LDC) in the world from February 2006.

(the Asahi, May 7) The Thai government has implemented the OTOP campaign with a five-point grading system to assess the

quality of OTOP products, authorizing high grade ones to be exported to other countries. In Mongolia, Bayankhongor Province has introduced the OVOP Movement to raise the income of nomads.

(the Asahi, May 8) Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Thailand, has adopted the OTOP campaign as a countermeasure for

solving poverty issues in rural areas. (the Mainichi, May 7) The Mongolian government has decided to implement the OVOP Movement nationwide, to which the

Japanese government will make a contribution of US$300,000 for three years from the 2006 fiscal year. (the Yomiuri, May 7)

Page 2 No.6

2. On May 1, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi of Japan made a statement entitled “Africa-the Home of Self-Endeavor” at the African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia. During the speech, he proposed the African version of the OVOP Movement. “I declared last year to be ‘the Year of Africa,’ and at the Asian African Summit in Jakarta, in April, I announced that Japan would double its Official Development Assistance (ODA) to Africa in the three years to come. With the goal of ensuring that the WTO Doha De-velopment Agenda will truly benefit developing countries, last December I introduced the Development Ini-tiative for Trade to contribute to developing countries’ trade promotion which will also advance the ‘One Village, One Product’ movements,” stated the prime minister.

3. On May 21, Prime Minister Koizumi observed an exhibition, “One Village One Product Market” held at Haneda Airport, Tokyo, to promote LDC products. On May 30, during the press conference after a cabinet meeting, he referred to the promotion of the Asian version of the OVOP campaign in cooperation with other Asian countries, as well as to the LDC support program within Japan.

4. “LDC OVOP Campaign” has appeared in the in-flight magazines of ANA, “Tsubasa no Okoku-Wingspan (May)” and JAL, “SKYWARD (June).” Fifty countries including Malawi, Mozambique and Cambodia are des-ignated as LDC.

The PM praising LDC products

LDC Support Campaign

5. Oita OVOP Committee received e-mails from Pakistan and Madagascar regarding the launching of their OVOP campaigns. AHAN-OVOP Pakistan has been started to strengthen employment and income earning opportunities and to enhance competitiveness of micro and small businesses in rural areas. Also in Mada-gascar, “Hetsika-VIVI” (Iray = One) has been launched just recently.

6. According to XINHUA. JP, the Agriculture Minister of China stated during National OVOP Development and Experience Exchange Convention that they will concentrate their support on the promotion of OVOP related products and industries.

7. “The Age of a Win-Win Relationship” has been published with WAYTS Co. Ltd., co-authored by a Chinese journalist, Mr. Mo Bangfu and President Hiramatsu. Both authors insist that the spread of grass-root ex-changes in a variety of fields with no state controls is a key to having a good relationship between countries.

8. “Music Festival Argerich’s Meeting Point in Beppu” takes place in Oita Prefecture every year. In its 8th program, Music Wind from South America, Mr. Tamio Kano, Executive Director of NHK Symphony Orchestra (former head of NHK Oita Branch,) says that Oita Prefecture has produced an epoch-making culture, the OVOP Movement, and it may be said that Oita’s food culture including Bungo beef and kabosu limes is the best in Japan. There is no other event than the Ar-gerich Festival in the world that is held in this wonderful location along with hot springs.

A world famous pianist, Martha Argerich

Contact us at: 3F Mitsui Bldg., 1-4-35, Maizuru-machi,Oita 870-0044, JAPAN



June



A Delegation from Dalian City, China (June 4-9) Headed by Mr. Guo Xiuwu, Deputy Director of Dalian Administration of For-eign Experts Affairs, a delegation of 25 members came to Oita to see the actual situation of its agriculture and fishery. The group consisted of officials for agri-cultural policy promotion, municipal leaders, and farmers. On June 5th, after re-ceiving a lecture on the “One Village, One Product” Movement directly from President Hiramatsu, they made an informative observation tour to a kabosu lime farm, a local department store dealing in local specialties, the successful OVOP model town of Oyama, and a pearl farm.

No.7

２００６．July 14

President of OHATA PEARL (right)

A group of 16 people including a village mayor came to Oita, led by Prof. Jeon, Un-Seong of Agricultural and Resource Economics at Kangwon National Univer-sity. They toured around Ajimu Town and Yufuin Town to study about the well-balanced development of tourism and also about environmental preservation. Several staff members of Korea Educational Broadcasting System accompanied the group to cover the story.

Korea Kangwon-do Regional Development Project (June 5)

Ambassador of Mozambique to Japan (June 8-9) Ambassador Daniel Antonio visited Oita to learn about the “One Village, One Product” Movement. African countries are seriously dealing with poverty eradica-tion. Since discrimination against women is also one of their problems requiring urgent solutions, they have paid attention to the role that women play in the OVOP Movement. The ambassador‘s tour focused on entrepreneurial activities by groups of female farmers, observing a karinto (fried cookies) shop, a shiitake mushroom farmer, a flower grower, and a woman group which processes marine products. Tokiwa Industry Department Store

Dr. Suvit Maesincee, Vice Minister for Commerce and his Team of 16 offi-cials, Thailand (June 10-12) Vice Minister Suvit and his team made a fact-finding tour to Oita. Among Asian countries, Thailand is taking the lead in promoting regional development through the application of the “One Village, One Product” Movement. In order to collect data for further promoting and deepening their OTOP campaign, they researched several cases, placing the focus on the production of perishable foods and processed farm products, and also a distribution system. As examples of agritourism, they visited a winery and a farmhouse providing bed and meals in Ajimu Town. They also went to a roadside shop and a sweets shop run by women entrepreneurs to see how local products are directly sold by themselves. In particular, on June 12 at 5 o’clock in the early morning, they visited Oita Central Wholesale Market to observe a fish auction. They enthusiastically asked the market staff about the process of pricing fish. In the afternoon, they visited Oita-Oyama Agricultural Cooperative Assoc. to learn from the head of the cooperative about their strenuous efforts in regional development. They also exchanged views on the direct sales system for farm products, as well as some other subjects.

BEPPU CITY TRADITIONAL BAMBOO CRAFTS CENTER

State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs, PRC. (June 13) Mr. Jifa Wu, Director of Foreign Affairs Service Center, and two other staffers visited Oita to meet with President Hiramatsu. They also paid an inspection tour to Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University in Beppu City.

Director Wu (3rd person from the left)

Page 2 No.7

Prof. Okura and Prof. Keisuke Suyama at Kansai University came to our office. The professors and Presi-dent Hiramatsu discussed the recent spread of the “One Village, One Product” Movement to other countries.

At the invitation of Prime Minister Dr. Thaksin Shinawatra of Thailand, President Hiramatsu attended the National Convention for Amphoe (District) Leaders, which was held in Pattaya on June 26. Following the speeches by Prime Minister Thaksin and Deputy Prime Minister Somkid, he made a key-note speech on “Utilizing the Oita OVOP Experience and the Application to Link from Local to Global” in the presence of about 3,400 leaders of regional development including amphoe leaders. Many questions were received from the audience.

On 28th, Dr. Hiramatsu went to Beijing, China, to meet with Minister Du Qinglin of Agriculture and Director Wan Xueyuan of State Bureau of Foreign Experts, Sate Council. In China, a project of new socialist villages is under way. Based on the concept of improving farmers’ lives through the “One Village, One Product” Movement, they are going to vigorously promote the production of high quality and value-added products with special characters; superior farm products.

President introducing “iichiko”

Minister Du Qinglin (center in the left row)

① “Iwanami Shinsho no Rekishi (History of Iwanami Shinsho)” by Masanao Kano has been published by Iwanami Shoten, introducing approximately 2,500 books of Shinsho which have been published since 1938. “Chiho kara no Hasso (Ideas from a Regional Perspective)” by President Hiramatsu is among the books and the author states that Morihiko Hiramatsu, Governor of Oita Prefecture then, proposed the “One Village, One Product” Movement, Silver Town Project and other projects in an attempt to break the centralization of ad-ministrative power in Japan and demanding local governments to repeatedly petition to the central government. The reasoning behind his idea was based on his pet theory; ‘think globally and act locally, creating a culture unique to the region.’ Since his principle was backed up by his practices as the incumbent governor, it proved to be the trigger which set off regional revitalization.

② On June 6, “One Village One Product Fair” was held at the Sapporo branch of Mitsukoshi Department Store in Hokkaido Prefecture. Eighty-three shops in 14 subprefectural offices of Hokkaido exhibited and sold their products. The fair was crowded with customers from the opening day, and various specialties including purple asparagus were sold. (STV News, Sapporo Television Broadcasting, Co., Ltd.)

Hokkaido “One Village One Product” Fair




Prof. Yujiro Okura of Commercial Science at Kansai University (June 16)

President Hiramatsu visits Thailand and China. (June 25-29)

Other News

③ The “Basic Policies for Economic and Fiscal Management and Structural Reform 2006,” what we call “stoutly-framed policies,” were decided by the Cabinet on July 7, 2006, in which the government of Japan stated that they would give support and assistance to Asia and African countries through their development initiative including the “One Village One Product” Movement and human resources development.

July



Professor Xue Jinjun of Oita University (July 3) Prof. Xue Jinjun of Economics at Oita University visited President Hiramatsu along with

four students from China including Mr. Guo Xiangdong from Jiangxi Province. All the stu-dents are government employees of the Foreign Affairs Ministry and the Finance Ministry, presently studying international cooperation in the master’s program at Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University in Beppu City, Japan. They are working hard to obtain a master’s degree.

No.8

２００６．August 22

A Delegation from Jixian, Tianjin Municipality, China (July 11-12) Headed by Vice Secretary Wang, a group of six members of the CPC municipal committee in Tian Jin City, China, visited Oita. After the seminar on the “One Village, One Product” Movement at our office, they took a fact-finding tour to TOKIWA Wasada Town, a big shopping mall in the suburbs of Oita City, Konohana Garten in Oyama Town, Hita City, to observe the direct sales system of agricultural products being promoted by Oita-Oyama Agricultural Cooperative Assoc.

A Delegation from Lanzhou City, China (July 24) A delegation of eleven members from Lanzhon City visited Oita, led by Mr. Xu, Deputy Director of Agricul-ture and Animal Husbandry Department of Lanzhon City. They looked around Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific Uni-versity and several other places in the prefecture.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry, Malaysia (July 25) Dato’ Seri Mohd Shariff Bin Haji Omar, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry of Malaysia and two other members came to Oita to meet President Hiramatsu, during their stay in Japan to attend the general assembly of OISCA. The deputy minister serves as vice president of OISCA Malaysia. Since he is responsible for In Oyama Town

Chief Policy Advisor to the Prime Minister, Thailand (July 6~7) Dr. Pansak Vinyarath, Chief Policy Advisor to the Prime Minister of Thailand, and also the President of Thai Creative & Design Center, came to Oita. He toured around Beppu City Traditional Bamboo Crafts Center and also several bamboo craft shops. For many Asian countries, advancement in design is a pillar of the strategy for industrial reinforcement. Thailand opened Creative & Design Center in November 2005, after New York, Italy and Germany, which is the fourth design center in the world.

At a Shop Run by a Woman Group

A group of 16 members led by of Mr. SUN Xiao qing, Vice Director of the Develop-ment and Reform Commission of Shandong Province, came to Oita to observe several examples of the “One Village, One Product” Movement. At the beginning, they planned to visit Japan for agricultural research. However, they learned about the movement and immediately changed it to the study tour to Oita. They did homestays with farmers in Ajimu Town to experience green tourism in Japan. We expect that the movement will be implemented soon in Shandong Province.

Shandon Province Development & Reform Commission, China (July 31-Aug 3)

A Visit to Yunnan Province, China (July 18-22) At the invitation of the Yunnan Provincial government, China, President Hiramatsu vis-ited Kunming with his delegation in order to give a lecture on the “One Village, One Product” Movement. He addressed the audience of approximately 200 including directors of agricultural departments of each municipality in Yunnan Province. After the lecture, he met Mr. Gao Feng, Vice Governor of Yunnan Province. The vice governor said to Dr. Hiramastu, “We are advancing the establishment of new socialist villages according to our circumstances, maximizing regional resources and specialties, (continued)

agriculture and agro-based industry in Malaysia, he has become interested in the “One Village, One Product” Movement. He and Dr. Hiramatsu exchanged views on how to add values to agricultural products, as well as on how to motivate farmers to improve their products.

A girl of a minority group serving tea to tourists

Page 2 No.8

Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) sent to the Republic of Malawi, Af-rica, a consultation study team led by Mr. Aiichiro Yamamoto, Senior Assistant to the Director General of JICA, during July 2-15, 2006, in order to review and discuss various issues related to the implementation of the “Project for Institutional and Human Re-sources Development Project for One Village One Product Program” being promoted there currently. Tadashi Ando, Senior Managing Director of this committee joined the group to exchange views with government officials and local leaders during the obser-vation tour around many places in Malawi. At the ‘WTO Hong Kong Conference’ in

Villagers shipping milk

Through the grassroots technical cooperation program (support type) of JICA, Mr. Oka of Oita-Mongolia Friendship Association, Mr. Ohno, Career Advisor of Tokiwa Industry Co., Ltd., and Senior Managing Director Ando and Planning Director Kimoto of this committee visited Bayankhongor Province, Mongolia, from July 23 through August 6, 2006. Their objective was the promotion of the regional revitalization program by applying the “One Village, One Product” Movement.” They traveled around each of seven sums (villages) for estimation and guidance of “One Village, One Product” goods produced by local people.

OVOP Goods Exhibition in a Sum




A Chronicle of My Experiences in Malawi (July 2-15)

and our project is on the same conceptual frame with the “One Village, One Product” Movement.” The vice governor has stated his idea that they will continue to promote various exchanges with other places through their activities. Along with provincial officials, President Hiramatsu and his delegation including owners of inns in Yufuin Town, Oita, also visited Lijiang City. They researched culture-and-tourism related resources such as Lijiang Old Castle, an open-air theater featuring dramas of ethnic minorities in China.

Malawi is a newly independent country, and its local government system is not devel-oped well. Governments at both provincial and municipal levels lack initiative in facili-tating regional development and administrative guidance. Therefore, the establishment of a comprehensive system from production to consumption is one of their big issues awaiting urgent solutions. The system includes; ①Establishment of a structure for implementation ②Promotion of micro finance ③Setting up of antenna shops ④Foundation of technical support centers. (T. Ando) Malawi OVOP Sign

December 2005, the Japanese government proposed the Development Initiative to support least developed countries especially in Africa and Asia including the project of the ‘One Village, One Product’ Movement. It is greatly expected that Malawi will become a model in promoting the movement all over Africa. President Mutharika and also the Parliament of Malawi take a great interest in the implementation of the movement to invigorate the nation.

Promotion of Regional Revitalization Project in Mongolia (July 23-August 6)

They met Director General of Asian Department, the Foreign Affairs Ministry, and Mr. Ichihashi, a Japanese ambassador to Mongolia, to discuss the promotion of the “One Village, One Product” Movement there. At the same period, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi of Japan visited Mongolia to meet Prime Minister Enkhbold, and he was requested directly by Prime Minister Enkhbold to give further cooperation and support to Mongolia. The Mongolian government has formed a project of the “One Village One Product Campaign Action Plan” in June 2005. Since this year, United Nations Development Program (UNDP) has implemented the project with the budget of about 300,000 dollars. Through the “One Village, One Product” Movement, we can expect the raising of citizens’ incomes and also the further development of regions by adding values to products through the improve-ment of design, quality and standards.

They went along a dirt country road by car and covered a distance of 1,500 kilometers in total. In each sum, a lot of questions were received from the locals regarding cashmere/camel products, and also cheese/dairy products―so much so that they arrived at their lodgings late at night every day. It was an extremely tough tour.

August



JICA Training for Thai Local Government Officials (Aug. 7) As part of the program for “Capacity Building of Local Authorities for Sustainable Development of Agri-

culture in North and Northeast Thailand” conducted by Tsukuba International Center of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), a group of 15 members including 12 Thai officials came to Oita for study. They observed Oyama Town’s (Hita City) direct sales shop at a local department store in Oita City.

No.9

２００６．Sept ８

Bayankhongor Province is located 600 kilometers southwest of Ulaanbaatar. Led by Vice Governor Sedkhuugiin Unenbuyan, a delegation of nine members of Ba-yankhongor Province visited Oita on an eight-day schedule. Bayankhongor is pro-moting its regional development by creating local specialties with the cooperation of UNDP and JICA, and it is expected that the “One Village, One Product” Movement will spread throughtout Mongolia on the model of Bayankhongor’s experiences. The group went to various places in Oita Prefecture to study about regional revitalization. On August 22, they were invited to a welcome party hosted by the Oita-Mongolia Friendship Association to further deepen the relationship between the two.

A Delegation from Bayankhongor Province, Mongolia (Aug. 17-24)

An Agricultural Study Group from Tian Jin City, China (Aug. 21) A group of 12 members headed by Mr. Zheng Yunsheng, Deputy Director of Tianjin Agricultural Affairs Committee, came to Oita to take a lecture on the “One Village, One Product” Movement from President Hiramatsu.

Ambassador of Malawi to Japan (Aug. 20-22) Mr. Roosevelt Laston GONDWE, Ambassador of Malawi to Japan, visited Oita to

learn about the “One Village, One Product” Movement. He went to Oyama Town to look around the direct sales shop and restaurant run by the Oita-Oyama Agricultural Cooperative Assoc., showing a deep interest in a wide variety of agricultural prod-ucts and processed foods. He also visited Amagase Town to learn about entrepre-neurial activities conducted by farmers’ wives. On the following day, he went to Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University in Beppu City and also Yufu City. In Yufu City, he visited a dairy farmer, a shiitake mushroom farmer and a flower grower. On the basis of activities of the primary industries, these farmers are developing their businesses in a wide range into the production of agricultural products and processed foods, and further into the tertiary industries including the running of a restaurant and a farmer’s inn. They are successful examples of green tourism.

‘Milk Village’ in Tsukahara

A Lecture in Shenyang City, Liaoning Province, China (Aug. 10-12)

Sponsored by the Ministry of Economic Affairs of Taiwan, “APEC Local Cultural In-dustry Market Development Forum” took place during August 29-30, 2006. Shoji Ki-moto, Planning Director of this committee, was invited to attend the forum to talk on the “One Village, One Product Movement Spreading throughout the World.” (continued)

Introducing OVOP Products of Oita

A Pesentation at APEC Local Cultural Industry Market Development Forum (Aug. 27-30)

At the invitation of Shenyang City, President Hiramatsu visited the city to make a key-note speech on the “One Village, One Product” Movement in the presence of approxi-mately 300 local government officials and the staff of agricultural organizations. Fol-lowing Dr. Hiramatsu’s keynote speech, Shoji Kimoto, Planning Director of this com-mittee, made a presentation on specific measures to promote the movement. After the lecture, they had discussions with the participants, and various questions were received from strawberry processors, flower growers and stock farmers.

Governor Unenbuyan (right in the front row)

APEC Forum in Taipei

Page 2 No.9

From August 29 to September 6, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan (METI) held the Training Program on Technical Asssistance for “One Vil-lage One Product” for LDCs (OVOP) at Yokohama Kenshu Center of AOTS (the Association for Overseas Technical Scholarship), attened by 83 trainees from 45 least developed countries in Africa and the world. METI has been promoting the OVOP Campaign since February this year in order to contribute to the development of LDCs through supporting their trades. Along with the holding of exhibitions and

Talking with Participants

On August 10, Mr. Zhao Chang Yi, Standing Vice Mayor of Shenyang Municipal People’s Government, met with Dr. Morihiko Hiramatsu, former governor of Oita




Prefecture, and presently the president of Oita OVOP International Exchange Promotion Committee, Japan. Mr. Zhao expects that based on the consideration for the actual situation of Shenyang, Dr. Hiramatsu and his staff give lectures to transfer to them the excellent experiences of the “One Village, One Product” Movement in Oita, through which economic development of farm villages in Shenyang will be furthered.

A Keynote Speech at “One Village, One Product” Training Program Held by the METI (Aug. 29-30)

KIYOKEN Co., Ltd. is a nationally famous maker of shao-mai, steamed Chinese pork dumplings, in Yokohama City, Japan. Mr. Naobumi Nonami is the third president of the company, who stands fast to doing business with its roots deep in the area. During his position as executive director, Mr. Nonami attended the lecture of Dr. Hiramatsu, then governor of Oita Prefecture, and was impressed by his words saying that specialties truly particular to a region or a country are sometimes accepted globally. Since then, ‘business administration deep-rooted in the area’ has become his principle, and his company is aiming at taking a strong hold in Yokohama as a local brand instead of ex-panding its sales channels nationwide. Consequently, this strategy has brought them outstanding business results. President Hiramatsu visited Mr. Nonami at the headquar-ters of KIYOKEN, and they both reminisced about the old days when they first met.

Prior to the event, “Talk with Japanese Experts on Taiwan OTOP Local Cultural Industry” was held in four places respectively including Miaoli County and Nantou County on the 27th and 28th. Mr. Kimoto toured around these places to observe exhibitions of pottery and handicrafts produced by local entrepreneurs, actively ex-changing views and also giving guidance to them.

A Meeting with President Naobumi Nonami of KIYOKEN, Co., Ltd., Yokohama City (Aug. 29)

sales of LDC products and publicity activities inside Japan, the ministry provides them with various technical programs on a medium/long-term basis to facilitate the implementation of the OVOP Movement. On the 29th, President Hiramatsu attended the opening ceremony to give a keynote speech on “Outcomes and Regional Economic Development Obtained through the OVOP Movement.” In the afternoon of the same day, Tadashi Ando, Senior Managing Director of this committee, made a presentation on several cases of the movement in Oita Prefecture.

President Nonami (left)

Vice Mayor of Shenyang City meets Dr. Hiramatsu and his staff (Shenyang Daily News dated Aug. 11, 2006)

“2006 One Village One Product International Seminar” will be held from October 20-21. Online applica-tions are still acceptable. Please register online right now through our website:

http://www.web-entry.net/ovop/ The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan has decided to extend its ‘LDC OVOP Campaign’

being promoted presently. An article about the OVOP Movement facilitating the self-reliance of LDCs appeared on the website of “Kids’ Room” in the webzine, “Prime Minister of Japan and His Cabinet.” Please visit the site at: http://www.kantei.go.jp/jp/kids/magazine/0608/6_0_index.html

Other News

September



A Women’s Group of Korean Agricultural Cooperatives Assoc. (Sept. 5) Arranged by Korea Productivity Center, a group of 29 members of Korean Agricul-tural Cooperatives Assoc. visited Oita. They took a seminar with this committee on successful examples of green tourism and its related laws and governmental support, and also the commercialization of agricultural products. After this, they went to Ajimu Town, a birthplace of green tourism in Japan, to experience a farm stay.

No.10

２００６．October 5

An Agriculture Study Group from Korea (Sept. 6) Thirty-five farmers came to Oita from Sangju City, Korea, to observe advanced agricultural technology in Japan. The Senior Managing Director of this committee gave them a lecture on the “One Village, One Product” Movement.

Ministry of Commerce of Thailand (Sept. 7) Assistant Director-General Supatra Srisook and two other officials of the Department of Export Promotion came to Oita. They were an advanced team to prepare for the Thai delegation’s participation in the “2006 One Village One Product International Seminar in Oita” to be held on October 20-21, 2006. They looked around Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University in Beppu City, the seminar venue, and several other places.

An OVOP Study Tour from Jiangxi Province, China (Sept. 5-7)

Led by Mr. Liu YongJie, Mayor of An Fu Xian, a group of 27 people came to Oita and took a lecture on the “One Village, One Product” Movement with this committee. During their stay in Oita, they visited SANWA SHURUI Co., ltd. in Usa City, Yufuin Town and Oyama Town to learn about agricultural industrialization and agro-tourism.

Headed by Mr. Chen Peijun, Director General of Yunnan Provincial Administra-tion of Foreign Experts Affairs, a group of 27 members visited Oita to take a seminar on OVOP from President Hiramatsu. They also enjoyed a reunion with owners of the inns in Yufuin Town, and other people who visited Yunnan in July this year.

An OVOP Study Tour from Yunnan Province, China (Sept. 26-30)

Other News ①Appointment as Advisor for Agricultural Modernization of Dalian City, China On September 12, President Hiramatsu addressed government officials and executive directors of Dalian Municipal Rural Economy Committee on the “One Village, One Prod-uct” Movement. After the lecture, he met Mayor Xia Deren of Dalian City, which is im-plementing various projects to facilitate agricultural modernization, as well as to raise farmers’ incomes. Dr. Hiramatsu was appointed to be the advisor for agricultural mod-ernization of Dalian City and presented a letter of attorney by the mayor.

Mr. Vim Roonggrout, Inspector General of the Ministry of Industry, and five officials of the Ministry of the Interior visited Oita. The Interior Ministry is organizing three study groups of leaders of regional development, 70 members each, and is planning to send them to Oita. This project is part of the program to promote the OTOP (One Tambon One Product) Campaign, a Thai version of the OVOP Movement. The party made a preliminary inspection to “Oita Agro-Culture Park,” “Showa Town” in Bungotakada City, and “Home-made Sweets Shop” in Innai Town, Usa City.

OVOP Lecture in Dalian

A Korean Women Group

An Advanced Team of the Ministry of the Interior, Thailand (Sept. 17-22)

Landladies pleased with souvenirs from Yunnan

Page 2 No.10

“China is advancing the establishment of new socialist villages, and we appreciate Dr. Hiramatsu’s visit and lecture in Dalian, which is a good opportunity for us to learn of his excellent concepts and precious experiences in many fields, including the promotion of agricultural modernization, mass production in the market of agricultural products, and the increase of farmers’ incomes,” said the mayor.

Mayor Xia Deren (right end)

④Establishment of Malaysia’s “Satu Daerah Satu Indutri (SDSI) Gallery” Malaysia’s Satu Daerah Satu Industri (SDSI), which means One District One Industry,

Gallery was officially launched by the Honorable Minister of Entrepreneur and Co-operative Development of Malaysia, Dato’ Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin. This gallery is situated at the Ministry of Entrepreneur and Cooperative Development (MECD), Putra-jaya, Malaysia. The SDSI Gallery displays all the best SDSI products from all 13 states of Malaysia and also the Satu Wilayah Satu Industri (SAWARI), or One Region One In-dustry, products. The main objectives of this gallery are to be the centre of collection and marketing of SDSI products from every state and to provide an opportunity for these products to be promoted and marketed continuously. The uniqueness and quality of SDSI products clearly show that rural products are able to penetrate the local and international market. MECD as the Promotion and Marketing Working Committee of SDSI Develop-ment in Malaysia is committed to giving guidance for product development continuously. Through the establishment of the SDSI Gallery, is hoped that it will become a one-stop centre for tourists visiting Putrajaya, Malaysia.

Opening Cut




②Dr. Morihiko Hiramatsu assumes office as advisor for agricultural moderni-zation of Dalian City. (Dalian Daily News dated Sept. 13, 2006)

On the evening of September 12, 2006, Mayor Xia Deren met President Morihiko Hiramatsu of Oita OVOP International Exchange Promotion Committee, the advocator of the OVOP Movement in Japan, at Dalian Guest House (formerly Yamato Hotel). The mayor presented to him a letter of appointment as advisor for the agricultural moderniza-tion of Dalian City. Since Dr. Hiramatsu proposed the “One Village, One Product” Movement in 1979, he has enthusiastically contributed to the promotion and development of this movement, and made a great success in Japan. The know-how of the movement has been transferred to 19 countries and regions in the world.

SDSI Gallery

③Agreement of Expert Dispatch and Trainee Reception with China Assoc. for International Exchange of Personnel On September 13 in Beijing, President Hiramatsu sealed with China Association for International Exchange of Personnel a “Cooperation Agreement” on the reception of OVOP trainees from China and also the dispatch of experts from this committee to China. On behalf of Mr. Wan Xueyuan, Director of State Bureau of Foreign Experts, Ms. Li Bing, Deputy Director, attended the signing ceremony.

⑤“Malaysia Fair for Satu Daerah Satu Industri (SDSI) Products” in Oita, Ja-pan (Sept. 19-23)

The Malaysia Fair will be held at Tokiwa Industry Department Store, Oita, Japan from 19 to 23 October 2006. Thirteen (13) Malaysian entrepreneurs will be exhibiting their wide range of products from food and beverages, gifts and souvenirs, crafts, textile and gourmet to home décor and furniture. During the Malaysia Fair, there will be demon-strations on how to prepare some of the food products and also a cultural performance to entice visitors. Visitors will also have the opportunity to sample some of the products such as tapioca chips, Roselle juice, herbal drinks, bird’s nest drinks and also seaweed crackers. Free sample of popia crisps will also be distributed to visitors.

Ms. Li Bing (right)

SDSI Products

We extend out warm invitation to all to experience the good, taste of truly Malaysian food and admire the intricacies of Malaysian gift and souvenir products which are handmade by Malaysian local villagers. This is the best opportunity to learn more and taste Malaysian products.

October



National Land Planning Association (Oct. 2) Through the program for National and Regional Development Policy conducted by Japan International Co-

operation Agency (JICA), a group of 11 government officials in charge of regional development from 10 coun-tries including Afghanistan, Nepal and Azerbaijan visited this committee in Oita to learn about the “One Village, One Product” Movement. They also made an observation tour to SANWA SHURUI Co., ltd. in Usa City and Oita Industrial Research Institute.

No.11

２００６．Nov.13

Eight town mayors from the Philippines on the ‘JICA Philippines Local Autonomy Cluster Revitalization Seminar’ program and eight government officials from Cambodia and several other countries on the ‘JICA Training Course in Seminar on Administration for Rural/ Regional Development’ project came to Oita Prefec-ture on October 10. After taking a seminar with this committee, they stayed in Oita until October 16, inspecting Beppu City Traditional Bamboo Crafts Center, Ajimu Town’s green tourism and Mushroom Center in Yufuin Town.

JICA ASEAN/ Philippines Seminar (Oct. 10-16)

Kunming City Science & Technology Institute (Oct. 11) Headed by Mr. Wang Yue Chong, President of Kunming City Science & Technology Institute, Yunnan Province, China, a group of 22 members came to Oita to study Japanese agriculture. The objectives of their visit were to take a seminar on successful examples of the OVOP Movement, and also to deepen friendship with citizens of Oita. They went to Yufuin Town and Oyama Town as well.

Led by Mayor Han Liming, a delegation from Liyang City visited Oita to participate in the “2006 OVOP International Seminar.” Before the seminar, President Hiramatsu met them and presented them with the Overseas OVOP Promotion Award for their enthusiasm for regional revitalization.

In parallel with the “2006 OVOP International Seminar,” Malaysia held a fair to promote their SDSI products and tourism. Before performing a ribbon-cutting ceremony on the 19th, Parliament Secretary Dato’ Samsu of the Ministry of Entre-preneur and Cooperative Development, the delegation leader, visited this committee to discuss the “One District One Product (SDSI)” campaign with President Hiramatsu.

Awardee (left end of the front row) Mayor (right end of the front row)

JICA Tunisia Seminar (Oct. 17-Nov. 1)

Asia Productivity Organization and Global Development Learning Network supported by the World Bank jointly organized the “World Bank International Videoconference” at Tokyo Development Learning Center, linking Cambodia, Mongolia, Laos and Vietnam. Invited by them, President Hiramatsu attended it to give a lecture on the “One Village, One Product” Movement, as well as to advise them on the promotion of the OVOP movement being implemented respectively.

Overseas OVOP Promotion Award to Liyang City, Jiangsu Province, China (Oct. 18)

A Delegation from Malaysia (Oct. 19)

Parliament Secretary Dato’ Samsu (right end of the front row)

The World Bank International Videoconference (Oct. 25)

In 2003, a workshop on the OVOP Movement took place in Tunisia for the first time. Recently, through the JICA training program, ten Tunisian officials including a regional director of Industry Promotion Agency and directors of Development Offices visited Oita. During their visit, they took a lecture on the OVOP Movement with this committee, and observed Kawasaki Kabosu Lime Farm in Mie Town and a farmstay project in Ajimu Town. During the evaluation meeting on the last day of their training course, various voices were received, and one of the trainees commented that he wanted to have more opportunities to learn about the cultural and social backgrounds of Japan.

Page 2 No.11

With the cooperation of both the Chinese government and the Thai govern-ment, this committee held the “2006 One Village One Product International Seminar in Oita” at Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University in Beppu City, Oita Prefecture. Following the first convention in Chiang Mai, Thailand, and the second one in Xi’an City, China, the 3rd seminar took place in Oita, the birth-place of the Movement. More than 1,000 participants from 27 countries at-tended the seminar in Oita, since the movement is now infiltrating into countries in Asia and Africa along with the International OVOP Campaign being pro-

On October 20, following the speeches by Prof. Monte Cassim, President of Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific Uni-versity (APU) and other guests from JICA, China and Thailand, President Hiramatsu of this committee gave a keynote speech on well-balanced development of regional economy through the OVOP Movement, referring to the concept and roles of the Movement, as well as to the measures for regional development. He also proposed:①Encouragement of Grass Root Diplomacy ②Establishment of a Standing Committee (information exchange through a website) and ③Academic Fieldwork of the “One Village, One Product” Movement.

During the case study presentations on the afternoon of the 20th, representatives from China, Thailand, Tunisia, Mongolia, Malaysia, Malawi, Korea, Philippines and JETRO of Japan promoting the international version of the OVOP campaign made presentations on their activities and development policies. Prof. Igusa of APU con-cluded the conference by stating that Oita’s regional development efforts have been accepted internationally, and recognized as measures for regional revitalization in each country, and Vice President Mizoguchi made a closing address.

In parallel with the seminar, Malaysia held a fair to promote their SDSI prod-ucts and tourism at TOKIWA INDUSTRY Akeno Branch Store during October 19-23. On the 21st, the second day of the seminar, participants joined supervised tours to ‘Oita Prefecture Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Festival,’ Malaysia Fair and several successful OVOP examples in Oita. Malaysia will host the 4th OVOP International Seminar next year. With participants promising to meet again in Malaysia, the two-day seminar ended.




“2006 One Village One Product International Seminar in Oita” (Oct. 20-21)

*****A List of Case Study Presentations of 9 Countries*****

NOVEMBER



Thailand Innovative Administration Consultancy Institute (Nov. 1) Led by Ms. Vanida Nualboonrueng, Deputy Secretary General of Civil Service Commission, a group of 17 members of Thailand Innovative Administration Consultancy Institute came to Oita to learn directly from President Hiramatsu about Oita’s “One Village, One Product” Movement and also the spread of the movement to other countries.

No.12

２００６．Dec.13

Mr. Pitchayapisut, Narongsak, a graduate student at Thamassat University, who is studying in Japan through a program of the Japan Foundation Japanese-Language Institute, visited this committee and took a lecture on the Movement from Planning Director Kimoto.

An Exchange Student from Thailand (Nov. 7)

JICA Sri Lanka OVOP Training Program (Dec7-9)

Mr. S.M. Croos, Deputy Chief Secretary of North East Provincial Council, and two other trainees of the “JICA Technical Cooperation Project for Agriculture and Rural Development for Rehabilitation and Reconstruction through Community Approach in Trincomalee,” came to Oita to study the OVOP Movement.

A delegation of 17 officials of Regional Revitalization Division of Mun-gy'on Municipal Government headed by Mr. Nam Jeong Hyeon visited Oita to take a lecture on the movement in order to apply it to promoting their regional development. They also toured around Oyama Town and Yufuin Town for inspection.

Ms. Reiko Nebashi, Deputy Manager of Interchange Association, visited this committee. The Ministry of Economy of Taiwan is also implementing the OVOP Movement, and we exchanged views on various inter-changes between Taiwan and Oita.

“Karinto Kobo (fried cookies shop) in Amagase Town

A Delegation from Shaanxi Province, China (Nov. 15-17)

A group of 20 officials of Shanghai Song Jiang, China, visited Oita to study especially about agricultural po-lices through the Movement.

Mun-gy'on City Regional Revitalization Division, Korea (Nov. 10)

Interchange Association, Taiwan (Nov. 13)

‘Atelier Toki’ in Yufuin Town

Shanghai Song Jiang, China (Nov. 17)

A delegation of 21 members from Shaanxi Province led by Vice Director-General of Personnel Department came to Oita. After visiting the women entrepreneurs’ group “Azemichi” in Hita City, SANWA SHURUI Co., ltd. and the Oita-Oyama Agricultural Cooperative Assoc., they came and took a lecture on the Movement with this committee.

Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Malawi (Nov. 24) Currently, JICA is implementing the “Institutional and Human Resources Development Project for One Village One Product Program (2005-2010)” in Malawi. Mr. M.B. Mbewe, Secretary for Foreign Affairs of Malawi, came to Oita to meet President Hiramatsu. After active discussions on the movement, the secretary inspected direct sales shops of agricultural products at a depart-ment store in Oita City, ‘Milk Village’ and ‘Atelier Toki’ in Yufuin Town, Yufu City.

Page 2 No.12

Mr. D. Terbishdagva, Minister of Food and Agriculture, and six other officials came to Oita to meet President Hiramatsu. An OVOP Exhibition will be held on a national scale in Mongolia next year. The minister has requested Dr. Hiramatsu to come and attend the event. In June last year, Mongolia decided to adopt and promote the OVOP Movement as its national project. Since this year, the said project has been implemented through the United Nations Development Program with a budget of about 300,000 dollars.

A delegation of nine members led by Ms. Wang Ping, Director of Personnel Division of Dalien City, visited our committee to meet President Hiramatsu. On the 26th, they looked at Ajimu Winery, Oyama Town and Yufuin Town.

A group of 43 people involved in agriculture-related activities including four professors at Hallym University, and another group of 17 members including the officials of Chuncheon City visited Oita on the 28th and 29th respectively to learn about the OVOP Movement.

President Hiramatsu gave a lecture on the Movement to an audience of about 300 students at APU.




Minister of Food and Agriculture, Mongolia (Nov, 25-26)

Minister of Food and Agriculture (left)

President Hiramatsu at Gyeongsangnam-do Citizens’ Hall

A Delegation from Dalien City, China (Nov. 25-26)

Two Groups from Korea (Nov. 28 and 29)

A Lecture in Gyeongsangnam-do, Korea (Nov. 29)

A Lecture at Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (Nov. 2)

At the invitation of Governor Kim, Tae ho of Gyeongsangnam-do, President Hiramatsu visited Changwon-si to give a lecture on the movement to an audience of approximately 400 officials of the provincial government. Agriculture, forestry and fisheries are flourishing in this province, and the OVOP Movement has been applied to further promote its regional revitalization.

＊Other News ①The Ministry of Environment of Japan is planning to carry out an environmental version of OVOP project from the 2007 fiscal year in order to expand their efforts toward preventing global warming. The project en-courages each municipality to choose a product which is useful in decreasing the emission of greenhouse gases including carbon dioxide. They aim at building citizens’ awareness for creating countermeasures for global warming through competing with each other for good ideas. ②During November 15-16, at a conference of APEC in Hanoi, Vietnam, Mr. Amari, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan (METI), spoke out that the Japanese government is actively promoting its program to support local industries in other Asian countries along with the OVOP campaign being held at several in-

③METI and JETRO are jointly conducting the “One Village One Product Market,” a support project for LDCs (least developed countries) by exhibiting and selling their specialties in Japan. On November 30th, the Market opened at Terminal 2 of Fukuoka Airport, dealing in handicrafts, foods and other goods totaling about 630 items from 36 countries. This will be held until the end of March next year.

ternational airports in Japan. This campaign has been well received, and the re-cipient countries have requested the Japanese government to continue it.

Documents

Oita OVOP Bulletin · “Oita Prefecture OVOP Annual Convention ... the Oita Prefecture OVOP Annual Meeting was held in Oita City, with about 200 en- ... they came to Oita on the