Public-Policy Lab

Last Monday, I had the pleasure of skiing amidst some of the finest snow conditions I have ever experienced here in Hyogo Prefecture. The previous week brought an extraordinary amount of snowfall to our region, creating a winter wonderland that is quite rare for this area. The Japan Meteorological Agency had warned of heavy snowfall not only along the Sea of Japan coast but also on the Pacific side, where snow is rare. This exceptional weather resulted in pristine powder on the slopes, making for an unforgettable skiing experience. It is not often that we see such conditions here, and I feel fortunate to have taken full advantage of them. While regions like Hokkaido experienced record-breaking snowfalls, with Obihiro City recording 124 cm (48.8 inches) of snow in 72 hours, our local snowfall, though less extreme, was still significant and contributed to the excellent skiing conditions. As I carved my way down the slopes, surrounded by the serene beauty of freshly fallen snow, I couldn...

 I attended the memorial event commemorating the Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake, which struck 30 years ago(January 17th, 1997). The disaster claimed the lives of over 7,000 people. Personally, I had to commute to work on foot, by bicycle, or via substitute bus services due to the extensive damage to the railway system. Regarding its restoration, the railway took approximately six months to be fully rebuilt. From this incident, people in Japan came to recognize the limitations in the ability and capacity of the statutory sector, as well as the necessity of mutual aid and the role of civil society. As a result, for instance, a new law was enacted to facilitate the incorporation of NPOs, and greater attention was given to the concepts of partnership and local governance.

  This is the best shot of Himeji Castle from Himeji station. Many foreign tourists have visited there recently. The mayor of Himeji is considering raising the entrance fee for foreign tourists. Double-standard fees for this kind of tourist facility  are not rare worldwide.

 Yesterday was Father’s Day. I thought it was a Japanese-original event. However, I recognize that the origin of the day is the movement proposed by Sonora Smart Dodd in 1909 in the US. And her father’s birthday is June.

 I attended the Public Policy Studies Japan, held at Ryukoku University in Kyoto on June 1st  and 2nd. This was my first on-site conference after COVID-19. I could meet a lot of acquaintances. The theme of this year's conference was "Time transformation and public policy," including a historical approach and historical new institutionalism. It was very impressive, and I learned a lot.

 Japanese celebrate the new year with Osechi cuisine. A first visit to a shrine is another important event. osechi　cuisine   Minatogawa shrine Hirota shrine