We Are Tomodachi Spring / Summer 2018

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12The nine cities hosting the G20 Summit and its related ministerial meetings all have their own fascinating cuisine, history, and culture. The city of Osaka, location of the Summit Meeting, is one of Japan’s economic powerhouses with a population of 2.72 million (Osaka Prefecture: 8.83 million) and a GDP of JPY 20 trillion (USD 187 billion) (Osaka Prefecture: JPY 39 trillion (USD 364 billion)). Meanwhile, the Tourism Ministers’ Meeting will be held in Hokkaido’s increasingly popular and scenic international resort town of Kutchan, with a population of 16,000. These incredibly diverse municipalities have already started thoroughly preparing for the gatherings they will host. The following article showcases the appealing qualities of each of the host cities and the expectations of their leaders.Osaka is a major city of commerce and has been since olden times. Today it is served by three different airports, including Kansai International Airport with round-the-clock arrivals and departures, and has become an international city bustling with over 10 million foreign visitors per year.According to Governor of Osaka Prefecture Ichiro Matsui, “The prefecture and city have worked together to enhance Osaka’s urban infrastructure, and we’re able to provide an ideal environment for welcoming the visiting heads of state. They’ll see that Osaka is brimming with manufacturing companies known for their can-do approach that says, ‘there’s nothing we can’t make.’”Alongside much of the world, Japan now faces the issue of a super-aging society, and Osaka is promoting endeavors that incorporate cutting-edge technologies to develop a society in which all people can live healthy and happy lives. Osaka is also now working to invite the World Expo 2025 to Osaka, under the banner of “Designing Future Society for Our Lives.” According to Governor Matsui, “The G20 Summit is also an opportunity to raise Osaka’s profile as a candidate to host the World Expo 2025. Osaka Prefecture is working together with the city of Osaka and the business community to ensure that the G20 Summit is a definitive success.”Osaka City Mayor Hirofumi Yoshimura, too, is looking forward to the summit. “For the safety of this top-level global summit and the 30,000 people it will gather, we are taking every precaution. I want to make the G20 Summit’s success an opportunity for Osaka to grow to represent Japan right alongside Tokyo.”An International City Rivaling TokyoSummit Meeting (Osaka, Osaka Prefecture)The G20 Hamburg Summit was held from July 7 to 8, 2017 in Germany. The G20 Buenos Aires Summit will be held from November 30 to December 1, 2018 in Argentina.Ichiro Matsui (right), Governor of Osaka PrefectureBorn in Osaka Prefecture in 1964. Served as a member of the Osaka Prefectural Assembly. Elected as Governor of Osaka Prefecture in 2011.Hirofumi Yoshimura (left),Mayor of OsakaBorn in Osaka Prefecture in 1975. Became a licensed attorney in 2000. Served as a member of the Osaka City Council and as a member of the House of Representatives. Elected as Mayor of Osaka in 2015.As a candidate for hosting the World Expo 2025, Osaka continues to transform to become a truly international city. MINISTRY OF ECONOMY, TRADE AND INDUSTRYAll Nine Host Cities Represent Unique Aspects of JapanFeature: G20 Japan 2019