住所	〒916-0192 13-5-1　Nishitanaka,　Echizen　Town,　Nyu　Gun,　Fukui　Prefecture,　JAPAN
電話番号	0778-34-8713
FAX番号	0778-34-1236
メールアドレス	kokusai@town.echizen.lg.jp 返信が必要な場合はメール本文にお名前・ご住所をご記入ください。
営業時間	Monday-Friday　8:30am-5:30pm
定休日	Saturday,　Sunday,　Public　Holidays,　New　Year's　Holiday　(29　Dec-3　Jan)

The　International　Affairs　Division　of　Echizen　Town　Office　is　responsible 　for　organising　and　carrying　out　international　activities　such　as　 overseas　trips,　school　exchanges,　homestay　programs,　sister　 city/friendship　relations,　international　exchange　activities,　and　for　 providing　assistance　to　foreign　residents　and　guests　of　Echizen　Town.

The　International　Affairs　Division　of　Echizen　Town　Office　is　responsible　for　organising　and　carrying　out　international　activities　such　as　overseas　trips,　school　exchanges,　homestay　programs,　sister　city/friendship　relations,　international　exchange　activities,　and　for　providing　assistance　to　foreign　residents　and　guests　of　Echizen　Town.

In　addition　to　the　international　activities,　the　International　Affairs　Division　is　also　responsible　for　the　planning　and　execution　of　domestic　exchange　events　such　as　sister　city　partnerships,　sports　exchanges　and　cultural　events.
 

International Exchanges

Adelaide Hills, Australia:
The Ota (Echizen Town) and Adelaide Hills friendship relationship began in 1993 and, since 1998, has seen 10 exchange visits between junior high schools in Echizen Town and Birdwood High School in Adelaide Hills, as well as between Councillors and council staff.

http://www.birdwoodhs.sa.edu.au/

City of Montevallo, United States of America:
The relationship between the City of Montevallo and Miyazaki (Echizen Town) began in 1995 when the University of Montevallo held an exhibition of Echizen Pottery. The friendship relations have continued to expand, with the signing of a sister city relationship agreement, and exchange visits between the two areas' junior high schools. The exchange of culture, sport and education has also continued and vows to for many years to come.

 http://www.cityofmontevallo.com/

 

Kasetsart University Laboratory School, Thailand:
Kasetsart University Laboratory School and Ito Elementary School (in Echizen Town, formerly Asahi West Elementary School) signed a sister school agreement in 1991. The schools have enjoyed many exchange visits and the 'Hohoemi Kouryu' (Smile Exchange) boasts that it will see many more. 2005 saw the 15th year of the exchange and visits both to and from Thailand marked the occasion. Since 2008, students from all elementary schools in Echizen Town have been able to participate in this exchange.

http://www.kus.ku.ac.th/eng/about.htm

 
Yeongdeok County, Korea:
In November 2002, Yeongdeok County and Echizen Town signed a sister city relationship agreement. The relationship began due to the many similarities between the two coastal areas. Both Yeongdeok and Echizen are famous for their coastlines where the sea meets the mountains, as well as abundant seafood and agricultural delicacies.


International Youth Camp:
Run by the International Youth Research Association and based in Yamanashi Prefecture, this 5 day- 4 night camp gives students from 4^th grade elementary school to 3^rd year junior high school the chance to participate in a number of activities with other students from around Japan and overseas. The main event of the camp is climbing Mt Fuji. The camp is run during the summer holidays; usually at the beginning of August each year. The Echizen International Association helps students in the region to attend the camp by assisting with associated costs and with preparation for the trip.

 

Domestic Exchanges

Miyama City, Fukuoka Prefecture:
Miyama City and Asahi (Echizen Town) became sister towns in July 1994 and have since enjoyed both educational and agricultural exchanges. Miyama City participates in the Echizen Agricultural Thanksgiving Fair and Echizen Town participates in Miyama City's Agriculture, Culture and Welfare event.


Nishio City, Aichi Prefecture:
Nishio City and Asahi (Echizen Town) signed a friendship exchange agreement in December 1998. The areas base their exchange on sports events for elementary, junior high and senior high school students. Nishio comes to Echizen Town to participate in the Echizen Town Festival each year and also organises a stall at the Echizen Agricultural Thanksgiving Fair.

'Oda Nobunaga Summit' Conference:
A conference is held every year for the eleven towns and cities that value their historical relationship to the famous Shogun Oda Nobunaga. The participating towns endeavour to deepen their historical and cultural ties, and in so doing, advance the planning of their respective cities.


'Oda Nobunaga Summit' Friendship Towns' Sports Exchange:
Kiyosu Town in Aichi Prefecture, Azuchi Town in Shiga Prefecture and Ota (Echizen Town) take turns in hosting the annual Oda Nobunaga sports exchange event. Elementary school students from grades 4 to 6 are invited to participate in team sports events and a cultural activity.


Conference for places in Japan which retain the historical name 'Echizen':
There are currently 36 cities and towns nationwide which retain the historical name 'Echizen'. At this liaison conference, each region showcases their regional and historical landmarks, events and traditional crafts.. A system of mutual support is put in place in the event of natural disasters, and a variety of trade relationships are developed.

 

Assistance

The International Affairs Division will provide assistance to any foreign resident or guest of Echizen Town on matters concerning living in or visiting Fukui Prefecture. Please do not hesitate to call the department. We regret that assistance can only be provided in English or Japanese.