Message from Shiga Prefecture
Hirofumi Takada
Deputy Director General, Department of Commerce, Industry and Labor, Shiga Prefecture
This workshop of the Asian-Pacific Tourism Exchange Center is being held today in Nagahama, Shiga Prefecture. I want to thank from the bottom of my heart the many people here from Shiga. And, on behalf of the prefecture, let me bid a warm welcome to all of you who have come from beyond our borders .
To speak of Shiga Prefecture, the first thing that comes to mind is none other than Lake Biwa. We are truly blessed by Mother Nature here in Shiga. To the west, where bordering with Kyoto Prefecture, rise Mt. Hie and Mt. Hiryo, while to the east are found Mt. Ibuki and the Suzuka Range, renown for their medicinal herbs and wild flowers .
If I might just make a note about Japanese history： Otsu was an ancient capital long before Nara and Kyoto. Places like Azuchi, Hikone and here - Nagahama - feature in many prominent episodes of history. There are plenty of famous spots, historical sites and cultural properties to see and visit.
Turning our eyes to newer things, Biwako Hall was just completed last month in Otsu, near to the lake. It is the only theater in Western Japan with a square stage, perfect for opera.
Lake Biwa is the third oldest inland body of water after the Caspian Sea and Lake Bajkal . You can learn about the ecosystems of the lake at the Lake Biwa Museum right on the lake. With historical and traditional elements, and many new facets in strong contrast to them, Shiga has a wide variety of tourism assets both old and new.
Well, that which I just described is visible to the eye, but to those coming from outside the prefecture, perhaps it is the invisible facets of openheartedness and hospitality which are more important. Whether visible or invisible, they both go hand-in-hand with the secondary theme of today's workshop, "The Charm in a Lake". In our office, we believe it our duty to employ and better develop both what is visible and invisible in Shiga Prefecture so as to welcome more visitors to our parts and show them what is so nice about our prefecture.
At today's workshop, we will be treated a keynote address by Yang Zhen Yi, Resident Director in Osaka of China National Tourism Administration, there followed by a panel discussion and sectional workshops. I am hoping to hear from speakers and participants alike, some meaningfully rich ideas as to how we can better convey the charm of our lakes. I ask everyone participating in the workshop today to make the most of this opportunity.
Before closing, I would like to express my deepest appreciation to President Yamashita of the Asian-Pacific Tourism Exchange Center and all other parties who have made today's workshop possible. And, once again, I welcome you one and all to Shiga Prefecture.
Thank you very much.
