Born in Hebei, China, in 1942. Raised in Beijing. Yang Zhen Yi graduated in Japanese language studies from Beijing No. 2 Foreign Languages Institute. After serving in various posts for the Shanxi Provincial Government, including Deputy Director of theCNTA, Yang Zhen Yi became Resident Director in Osaka of theCNTA in 1997, where he still is today. Before assuming his current post, Yang Zhen Yi had been to Japan 18 times.
Born in Shiga. Japan, in 1934. Shozo Ido graduated with a BA in literature and history from Kyoto University. He became a professor at Shiga University of Medical Science in 1975, where he still is today. He is an expert in historical geography.
Born in Toyama. Japan, in 1946. Toshio Hirono graduated from Nara Medical University. As a city planning consultant, he is involved with concept planning for urban development projects of the Housing and Urban Development Corporation, and event and cultural projects for local governments. He started his company Creative Studio Da Vinci in 1993, serving since that time as its President.
Faculty of International Communication, Hannan University
Born in Hyogo. Japan, in 1960. Hiroshi Maeda graduated with a BA in humanities and literature from Konan University Graduate School. After serving as a lecturer in culture and humanities at Kumamoto University, he assumed his current post in 1997. He has recently been doing investigative research into tourism and resort development utilizing geographical assets with focus on the Kansai area. Kyushu. Malaysia and France.
Born in Osaka. Japan. Graduated from School of Law at Kansei Gakuin University. After joining the Japan Travel Bereau. Kuniko Takasaki served extensively as a tour conductoron domestic and overseas tours for the Group Tours Osaka Office. Since 1993, she has been running surveys and promotional activities for the Marketing Development Department of JTB's Kansai Regional Headquarters in order to activate the Kansai area. She has been at her current post since 1997.