On February 7th, 2008 the Japan Local Government Centre held its annual Japan Day Seminar at Cardiff City Hall. The theme this year was "The Challenges of Regeneration and Redevelopment for Local Authorities".

Regional economic disparities are a growing challenge to public services in both Japan and the UK. This seminar acknowledged the regeneration work undertaken in both countries to address these imbalances.

Dr. Chris Hood, Director of the Japanese Studies Centre at Cardiff University, chaired the seminar. Speakers from Wales included Gareth Hall (Director General of the Department for the Economy & Transport at the Welsh Assembly Government), Dave Gilbert (Director, Regeneration and Leisure, Carmarthenshire County Council) and Byron Davies (Chief Executive of Cardiff Council).

Other speakers were Shunsuke Mutai (Director of the Japan Local Government Centre, London), who spoke about policies to reduce inequalities between urban and rural areas in Japan, and Dr. Naofumi Nakamura from Tokyo University who discussed his research of the regeneration of a deprived Japanese city.

Conrad McDonogh (Director, Home Appliance Division, Panasonic Manufacturing UK Ltd.), spoke about the experience of Japanese corporations adapting to the UK and their expectations of local authorities.

The seminar aimed to bring together interested parties from Welsh Government, local authorities and academics as well as Japanese government bodies, organisations and companies in the UK. It also provided an opportunity for participants to exchange information and ideas on an international level.

2008 also sees the celebration of the 150th anniversary of the first Anglo-Japanese treaty.

Each of the six presentations is 30 minutes in length.

If you have any comments or feedback, the issues raised in the seminar, or if you would like further information about JLGC and our events, please contact us at mailbox@jlgc.org.uk.