Here comes Erin! May 2016 Issue

Introducing Matsudo to the world　
In the lead up to the Tokyo Olympics, Matsudo City is working hard to raise its international profile. In September we reached out to the diplomat corps and organised a study tour for embassy representatives. The tour proved wildly popular, and over fifty(!) diplomats signed up to watch sumo at Sadogatake Stable, visit Tojo-tei House, and hand-pick delicious Matsudo pears.

Since then we have continued to invite international representatives to experience the city’s many charms. In January two Romanian Olympians ran in Matsudo’s Nankusa Marathon. The following month the Acting Ambassador of the Dominican Republic gave a cultural workshop at Matsudo Municipal High School. In March, the Ambassador of Kosovo came to learn about our art and culture initiatives. And most recently, the Acting Ambassador of Nepal (pictured below, 2nd from the left) led the parade at the Tokiwadaira Sakura Festival!

Not only do these exchanges generate great publicity for Matsudo City itself, they also enable the Matsudo community to ‘meet the world’ from home. I think this is great practice for when the entire globe comes to visit in 2020!