Name: Jin, Kun
Nationality: China
Inducted: March 2010

November 2010

On March 30th, my year as Coordinator for International Relations at the Fukui Prefectural Office came to a close, and I returned to my native China. The intervening half year has flown by, but I can still picture the sakura in bloom around the office, the yakitori from Akiyoshi and oroshi soba, and the smiling faces of my friends in Fukui like it was yesterday.

Last month, I took part in the welcoming party for the Sakai City mayor’s delegation to Jiaxing. Though I was fortunate enough to have already met him during my time in Fukui, I was happy to see that he is as kind as ever.

I was especially delighted to find that Mayu Tomida, with whom I had worked at the Fukui International Activities Plaza, serving as interpreter for the delegation. It was a most welcome surprise, as I had not expected to see a friend from Fukui so soon.

After a 2-day, 3-night stay and exchange meeting, the delegation departed for Hangzhou. It is my sincere hope that this can serve as a springboard for broader exchange across a greater number of fields between Zhejian and Fukui. I also hope to visit Fukui again soon, to see my friends and further this exchange and keep the bonds of friendship alive and well between our two regions.