About JLGC
In 1988, funded by and representing the interests of the prefecture and local governments of Japan , the Council of Local Authorities for International Relations (CLAIR) was established in Tokyo in order to promote and support the principle of internationalisation (kokusaika). The Japanese Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (soumusho), the central government department responsible for all prefecture (state) and local government matters, provides guidance and assistance. The primary goals of CLAIR are to foster, develop and nurture, at the sub-national level, an international mutual understanding between Japan and other nations and the exchange of ideas that relate to government administration and management.
To that end, CLAIR has created seven branch offices round the world: First, New York (1988) and then London (1989), Paris (1990), Singapore (1990), Seoul (1993), Sydney (1994) and Beijing (1997). Each of these offices is staffed by Japanese government officials, together with a small local staff who act both to assist in their work and to act as liaison with the host country’s governments. The New York branch is known as the Japan Local Government Center (CLAIR, New York ).
OUR
MAIN MISSIONS
In brief, the Japan Local Government Center conducts research much of which is formulated as CLAIR reports on various topics related to local government issues and practices. It organises international study programmes for local government officials in Japan , the United States and Canada . It sponsors seminars to introduce and discuss North American government practices to Japanese officials. It develops internships and exchanges of officials, researchers, academics and students interested in learning more about local government. Finally, it helps promote the creation of sister city and state relationships between Japan and North American state/provinces and local governments
CONTACT US
New York Office (U.S.)
Address: 666 Fifth Avenue, 2 nd Floor,
New York, NY 10103-0072
Tel: (212)246-5542
Fax: (212)246-5617
E-mail: jlgc@jlgc.org
Representative in Toronto (Canada)
Address: c/o Canadian Urban Institute
555 Richmond Street West, Suite 402
PO Box 612
Tel: (416)365-0816
Fax: (416)365-0721
E-mail: jlgc@pathcom.com
