Ms. Akiko Miyazaki, Member of the Secretariat of the Asian Network of Major Cities 21
The series "Profile: A person of Asia" feature administrative officers, who work actively every day in Asia, and international students, who are expected to play active roles in Asian cities in the future. This issue features Ms. Akiko Miyazaki, who has been involved in various projects, including the plenary meetings, as a member of the secretariat of Asian Network of Major Cities 21 (ANMC21).
There must be something in common or that can be shared.
-What made me the person I am today-
When I was a kid, I liked reading books. I was very interested in the manners, customs and foods in the foreign old tales and fairy tales, which were different from those in Japan. I also enjoyed "exploring" my neighborhood and going somewhere I had never been to. I often returned home late and was scolded. I think I was a curious kid. Even today, I still have an interest in and am excited about the things that are totally new to me.
Exhibition of the pictures painted by children in Asia held at the TMG building
Both the drawing techniques and use of colors differ from city to city. I enjoy finding such differences.
I also like music, arts and ethnic cuisine. When I was a student, I travelled to many places. The novel "Midnight Express"(*1) written by Kotaro Sawaki and gamelan music(*2) made me to feel like visiting many new places and meeting many people. In addition, one of my professors always said that "The most important quality an international person can have is to be able to eat anything and handle liquor." Actually, we can enjoy conversation and foster friendship through dining together. I think my professor was right, so his words sometimes come to mind these days.
I studied in England in my sophomore year, which was my first experience of visiting abroad. When I started to study in England, only the differences between England and Japan caught my eyes. For instance, I was surprised to know that a young and beautiful live-in "nanny" was working at my host family and that English tea was very good! After a while, however, I started to realize that there were many things in common between the two countries. For example, both of us cherish traditions and behave in a modest manner to strangers or foreign people probably because both England and Japan are island countries. Such experiences made me aware that there must be something in common, which can be shared between the local people and foreigners living in that country.
*1: "Midnight Express" is a travel novel written by Kotaro Sawaki. This novel describes the landscapes and encounters with people during the trip only by bus from Delhi in India to London in England. Especially with the passage in Asia, the exciting atmosphere of towns was described very well. When I was a student, I went backpacking several times. This novel made me feel like visiting more new countries and towns and meeting more people.
*2: Gamelan is an ensemble played in South East Asia such as Indonesia with various gongs and keyboard percussion instruments in the large, medium, and small sizes. Each sound quality is tuned to make a wave of thick sound. This music is relaxing and at the same time energetic.
My desire is to join forces of a "combined team" to make people living in Asian cities happier.
-ANCM21 & Me-
In 2005, the first Conference on "Countermeasures to Combat Infectious Diseases in Asia" was held in Tokyo. I was in charge of planning and managing this conference. In fact, this was my first "encounter" with the ANMC21.
Summary: ANMC21 and Me
2005
1st Conference on "Countermeasures to Combat Infectious Diseases in Asia" (Tokyo)
- My encounter with the ANMC21
- Planned and managed the conference.
2006
2nd Conference on "Countermeasures to Combat Infectious Diseases in Asia" (Taipei)
- The heartfelt hospitality programs in Taipei were very impressive, ranging from cycling early in the morning and strolls along the night market, to the performance of traditional good luck charms in Taiwan at the reception.
2009
Plenary Meeting in Bangkok
- My first experience of managing the meeting at the Mayors/Governors level
- Many members of the local media came to the meeting, indicating significant attention on this event.
2010
Plenary Meeting in Tokyo
- I experienced a big chance and pressure to welcome VIPs such as governors and mayors. We were able to organize an effective program for meetings and site visits thanks to the cooperation from each bureau of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and various organizations concerned.
- The pleased look on the participants' face in the pictures taken during the site visits illustrate that everyone seemed to have enjoyed the appeal of Tokyo.
2011
Plenary Meeting in Seoul
- In conjunction with the Plenary Meeting in Seoul, we exhibited at the "Low Carbon Green Growth Expo." Surprisingly, we were the first foreign exhibitors at this environment-related trade fair. Thanks to the cooperation from the Seoul Metropolitan Government, we were able to introduce the environmental technologies in Tokyo and Asian trade promotion agencies introduced investment climates to the Korean Market.
2012
Plenary Meeting in Singapore
- "Gardens by the Bay", a park with botanical gardens, opened at a prime location near Marina Bay Sands where the meeting was held. This park clearly embodies the policies of the Singaporean Government, using its small national land based on the well-developed long-term plan.
- I was very impressed by polite and smart young staffs who gave us a guide for site visits. I was also surprised that the officials held an important post in the Singaporean Government were also young.
In April, we started preparation for the meeting that was held in September. Since we had only a brief preparation time to host an international conference, I remember that we worked hard on coordinating this conference with the persons in charge from the participating cities. I had trouble receiving the presentation material from Yangon. So, when I finally received it successfully, I was excited to share my joy with Ms. Sharon over the phone.
That was the first conference for this project, and seven cities (Delhi, Hanoi, Jakarta, Singapore, Taipei, Tokyo and Yangon) participated. The participating cities were very much interested in discussion on the countermeasures against new influenza viruses, and I was so delighted when the conference concluded successfully.
One happy experience I had was when the persons in charge of the same conference that took place in Taipei in 2006 told me that their boss had given their instruction to learn how to manage the conference from the excellent conference in Tokyo. They also told me that they learned a lot from the way carefully prepared as in the conference in Tokyo. I was very happy to hear that.
In my current position, I am in charge of preparation for and managing the secretariat of the "Plenary Meeting" in which the heads of each member city join.
The Plenary Meeting in Bangkok in 2009 was the Mayors/Governors level conference that I experienced for the first time. The meeting was larger in size, and I noticed that we needed to prepare for the meeting in a different member from the Working-Level Meetings. Many local media in Thailand came to the joint press conference, which made me fully realize a significant attention towards this event. Simultaneously with the Plenary Meeting, "Cool ASEAN" was held under the initiative of Dr. Surin Pitsuwan who was Chairman of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), and Delegation from Vientiane participated also in the ANMC21 Plenary Meeting as an observer, which gave me a glimpse of a sense of solidarity in the ASEAN region.
At the "Gardens by the Bay", Singapore
I was impressed by that the persons in charge in Singapore were all very polite and smart.
I believe that presence of cities and the roles that should be played by cities, in particular, have become more important than ever in an international society. It would be great to enrich people's lives in each city through promoting personal exchange and sharing technologies and know-how at the level of the city, which is more familiar and closer to citizens compared with the country.
The authorities given to the city, however, vary depending on the country. Many of the member cities of the ANMC21 are the capitals of each country, which is in some cases under the direct control of the national government. Such cities do not have the authorities in some specific fields. Therefore, it could be difficult to work together on equal footing with each other, in some cases.
Each member city is a major city representing Asian region. They have so much in common. For example, they are all full of energy as "capital" or "major cities" representing the area while they might have different cultures, religions or national characters. The officials in each city with whom I correspond on a daily basis are highly capable and enthusiastic. They never fail to achieve results, which deeply impresses me every time.
The issues that emerge during the process of development of the "city" are common among each city. My desire is to join forces of this "combined team" of officials from ANMC21 member cities to make people living in Asian cities happier, which is challenging but worthwhile for me.
We can ultimately understand each other.
-My philosophy -
We welcomed the delegation from Tomsk to the Asia Junior Sports Exchange of Games 2012 (August, 2012)
My job gives me wonderful opportunities to meet many people at home and abroad. In the ANMC21 secretariat, each member works as a liaison with certain member city. My counterparts are Bangkok and Tomsk now.
At the Plenary Meeting in Singapore in 2012, something made me very happy. Tomsk, one of my counterparts and had participated in the ANMC21 as an observer since 2010, had officially decided to join the ANMC21 as a member city. It took about three years since we had started to talk about the participation of Tomsk in the ANMC21. Tomsk, which had actively participated in the Plenary Meeting and the joint projects, became a member city from an observer. I believe that welcoming new members enables us to expand the range of the activities of the network. I hope Tomsk will become even more active in the ANMC21!
In preparation for the Plenary Meeting in Bangkok in 2009, I went to Bangkok twice, including the business trip for preparatory meeting. Aiming at holding a successful meeting, we discussed the arrangements for the meeting till late at night with the officials from International Affairs Division of Bangkok Metropolitan Government. We deepened mutual trust through working hard together. It's a pity that I could not take a picture with them together then because everyone was caught up with the work at that time.
The picture I could finally take with my colleagues from BMA
After the Plenary Meeting in Bangkok, we continue to see each other at the Working-Level Meetings and the Plenary Meetings every year. Whenever we meet, we are happy to know that both of us are doing well and greet each other saying, "See you next Year in ○○!" I took the attached picture with Ms. Jiraporn, Ms. Rungnapa and Ms. Pannarai at the reception of the Asia Junior Sports Exchange Games 2012 in Tokyo. The officials in the international divisions of the 12 member cities are all my "colleagues" across the sea, though we are not working side-by-side all the time.
I am extremely happy that I can get to know more and more people on a daily basis with whom I can establish a relationship of trust irrespective of different positions or languages, etc. Moreover, I believe such encounters are beneficial to me.
In conclusion, we cannot work alone. Connection with other people is important for any job. Therefore, I am engaged in my job everyday keeping in mind that "We can ultimately understand each other", and at the same time considering what I should do to promote mutual understanding. It might sound exaggerated a little bit, but this is my philosophy.
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