In recent years, the international exchange activities of local governments have been diversifying, and there has been a trend among many local governments to shift from exchange to cooperation, with a growing emphasis on more concrete and results-oriented projects. Local governments, as comprehensive centers for local administration, have accumulated a broad array of expertise and technical know-how. They are now looking for a way to make of use of these assets in international cooperation and CLAIR is actively supporting Japanese local governments with such endeavors.

Local Government Officials Training Program (LGOTP) in Japan     Through the LGOTP, local government officials from overseas are hosted by local authorities in Japan for training. Participants obtain know-how and technical skills from their hosts and cooperate in projects to promote local internationalization.     Local Authorities International Cooperation Promotion Projects ("Model Projects")     Under the name "Model projects", CLAIR refers to inventive and innovative international cooperation activities run by Japanese local governments. CLAIR offers financial support to recognized activities as well as an opportunity to publicize the results of the projects and thus promote future international cooperation activities.     Citizens' International Plaza     The Plaza seeks to promote international cooperation using distinctive regional characteristics and to encourage cooperation between internationally-active NGOs and local authorities.     Other International Cooperation Projects     Top Managers Seminar Local Authorities International Cooperation Specialist Dispatch Project

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