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Today we were formally welcomed to Sakai City, a large city of 830,000 people lying at the centre of Osaka prefecture, which was granted additional powers in 2006 when becoming the 15th Ordnance-Designated City in Japan.
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Arriving in style at their new headquarters building, which is 21 storeys tall, we were greeted in the boardroom by Seiji Tsuruno san, the Director General of the Sakai City Government and his party, who gave a speech of welcome.
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After introductions we sat and discussed how they are responding to increasing competition from China and India, energy conversation policies, transport and policing in the city. Then we exchanged gifts, some Penderyn whisky, a guide to Cardiff in Japanese and the District Banner from us and a commemorative gift to each of us from Sakai City.
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This was a very formal visit as the photographs will show and one that we will always remember. The debating chamber is very inclusive and so similar to Y Senedd at Cardiff Bay, being circular and with an open gallery for anybody to witness proceedings. They have 52 members divided across 8 parties - so coalition it is for them too.
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Finally on our tour we visited the observation deck which has a panoramic view of the city and across to Osaka in the north and towards other cities in the south. Every city merges into its neighbour and so it is impossible for us to tell where we are. Having been here for 3 days now, we are moving closer to Osaka City itself but we haven’t got there yet.
.Finally on our tour we visited the observation deck which has a panoramic view of the city and across to Osaka in the north and towards other cities in the south. Every city merges into its neighbour and so it is impossible for us to tell where we are. Having been here for 3 days now, we are moving closer to Osaka City itself but we haven’t got there yet.
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