bdaudey

Japanese Interpretation Services for decentralised cooperation

The 7th Franco-Japanese summit for decentralised cooperation was held in Aix-en-Provence. Atenao and its team of 6 interpreters provided on-site simultaneous interpreting for the 4-day summit discussing land use planning, innovations and sustainable development issues.

200 French and Japanese decision-makers meet in the South of France

200 local government decision-makers from France (Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Grenoble, Nantes, Dijon etc.) and Japan (Tokyo, Yokohama, Kumamoto, Nara, Shizuoka and Toyota) spent 4 days together in Aix-en-Provence for the 7th Franco-Japanese summit for decentralised cooperation. The French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs joined forces with the Japanese Ministry of Internal Affairs, Foreign Affairs and Communication to launch the summit as an opportunity to explore and discuss “a sustainable and inclusive land fuelled by innovation” and the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals including:

  • Healthy ageing
  • Social and solidarity economy
  • Disaster risk reduction

The first French-Japanese meetings of the decentralised cooperation were held in Nancy in 2008, to testify for the close ties that have bound the two countries together for 160 years.

Since this date and the success of the first edition, the meetings are organized every two years, alternating between France and Japan. 66 Cities, departments or regions of both countries are linked by twinning or agreements and over 70 decentralised cooperation projects today now involve French and Japanese local authorities.

Aix-en-Provence, which maintains strong ties and cooperation with Japan, and more particularly with the city Kumamoto for around 30 years, should have hosted the 7th edition in 2020. Nevertheless, the plans were interrupted by the COVID pandemic, and the edition was put forward 2 years. It is therefore with particular excitement that these 7th Franco-Japanese meetings of decentralised cooperation were held.

Aix-en-Provence and Kumamoto have many similarities. Indeed, both are anchored in traditions, in water and in art, but they also demonstrate an amazing dynamism. The donation of the Nô stage theatre from Master Tanshu Kano comes from a deep understanding of the two cities. Agreement was formalised in 2013 by a cooperation agreement.

Mission: Simultaneous two-way French – Japanese interpreting services

With conferences, workshops and tours on the agenda, a significant amount of human and material resources were required:

  • 6 Japanese interpreters split into 4 pairs.
  • 3 bidules and 150 headsets for the tours (old town with official Tourist Information guides, Japanese garden and Théâtre Nô at Parc Saint-Mitre, Technopôle de l’Arbois business hub).
  • 3 fixed simultaneous interpreting booths at the Palais des Congrès d’Aix-en-Provence for the conferences.
  • 3 portable interpreting booths for every room hosting workshops at the Palais des Congrès.
  • 1 portable simultaneous interpreting booth at the Grand Théâtre de Provence for speeches by:
    • Mr François Rebsamen, Mayor of Dijon, President of Cités Unies France
    • Mr Tamotsu Okamoto, President of CLAIR
    • Mr Jean-Pierre Colin, Vice-president of the PACA region in charge of finance and cooperation partnerships
    • Mr Kazufumi Onishi, Mayor of Kumamoto (video)
    • Madame Sophie Joissains, Mayor of Aix-en-Provence
    • Mr Junichi Ihara, Japanese Ambassador in Paris
    • Mr Jean-Paul Guihaumé, Ambassador, Representative of External Action for Local Government and French Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs

The organizers called it a triumph and praised “Atenao’s commitment to the success of the Franco-Japanese summit for decentralised cooperation. Both the French and Japanese attendees all shared their admiration and hope to return to Aix-en-Provence.” We would like to thank the International Relations and Appeal department for putting their trust in us.

The next edition of French-Japanese decentralised cooperation meetings will be held in Shizuoka, in Japan on the theme: ‘Collaboration between French and Japanese communities holding new global values.’

The three themes of the discussions are the following:

  1. Economy – Territorial promotion and ecological management in a committed society
  2. Society – A Inclusive society, cooperative and supportive
  3. Environment – Improving quality of life and reducing carbon emissions