We Are Tomodachi Spring / Summer 2017

17/34

17In connection with food safety, health, and longevity, one area of the five-point cooperative package, the “Hokkaido Garden” has been established in part of a greenhouse facility run by a Russian national firm in Vladivostok. Here tests have begun on vegetable farming using Japanese growing techniques applicable in cold regions. The Five-Point Cooperative Package is an initiative to propose solutions for social issues in Russia as a joint effort by industry, universities and other educational institutions, government, and financial institutions and to promote the participation of Hokkaido businesses.1Food safety; health/longevity2Comfortable living in cold areas3Environmental safety4Local production/consumption of energy5Introduction of regular direct ightsHokkaidoRussiaSapporoNovosibirskHakodate VladivostokHakodate Yuzhno-SakhalinskOtaru NakhodkaAsahikawa Yuzhno-SakhalinskKushiro KholmskKitami PoronaiskRumoi Ulan-UdeWakkanai KorsakovHokkaidoRussiaWakkanai NevelskWakkanai Yuzhno-SakhalinskMonbetsu KorsakovNayoro DolinskNemuro Severo-KurilskIshikari VaninoTeshio TomariSarufutsu OzerskyThe Japanese language speech contest has been held since 2000. Laurita Dehtereva, the winner of the adult division of the 17th contest in 2016, gave a speech on what prompted her to begin studying Japanese and her struggles to master the language.The annual Hokkaido Fair held in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk introduces Hokkaido food products and tourist spots.There are 45 sister-city and friendship agreements between prefectures and municipalities in Japan and oblasts (provinces) and municipalities in Russia. Of these, 17 involve municipalities in Hokkaido, and Hokkaido itself has a friendship agreement with Sakhalin Oblast.Sister cities of Hokkaido and RussiaHokkaido’s Proposed Five-Point Cooperative Package