Japan and Brazil are reaffirming a longstanding bond as the government of Japan’s Shiga Prefecture prepares to dispatch a high-level delegation to Brazil in November to commemorate the 45-year sister-state relationship with Brazil’s Rio Grande do Sul. This diplomatic visit not only celebrates decades of cooperation but also signals new ambition in the realms of culture, environment, tourism and business.
A milestone visit after 25 years
The upcoming November 11–16 visit, led by Governor Taizō Mikazuki and comprising approximately 30 officials, business leaders and cultural representatives from Shiga, represents the prefecture’s first such official journey to Brazil in 25 years. The timing underscores the importance Shiga places on this historic partnership, which was originally formalised in 1980 and is founded on the symbolic connection between Japan’s largest freshwater lake, Lake Biwa, and Brazil’s largest lagoon, Lagoa dos Patos.
This concept—known as the “Bonds of Lakes”—has framed the relationship as one rooted in shared natural heritage, and the 45-year mark provides an opportunity to reflect on past achievements and chart a new phase of collaboration.
Cultural and business agenda
The delegation’s itinerary spans São Paulo and Porto Alegre. In São Paulo they will host a seminar focusing on Shiga’s tourism and environmental credentials, while in Porto Alegre the highlight will be a formal anniversary ceremony that involves tree-planting and unveiling of a commemorative signboard. The program blends diplomacy with cultural exchange, offering elements such as sake-tasting, hands-on craft workshops and regional business-matchmaking.
These activities point to a dual objective: strengthening cultural ties and boosting economic and tourism links between the two regions. Shiga is promoting its natural landscape, traditional industries and eco-tourism, while Brazil’s southern state stands to gain from increased Asian visitor flows, joint ventures and regional development aligned with sustainable principles.
The Symbolic “Shiga Park” in Porto Alegre
One of the most tangible expressions of the partnership is the Shiga Park (Praça Shiga) in Porto Alegre, created in 1983 and designed as a miniature representation of Shiga—featuring a lake shaped like Lake Biwa and an artificial hill inspired by Mount Ibuki. The park is emblematic of the long-term friendship and will again receive attention during the anniversary with cherry tree plantings and commemorative signage. Its existence demonstrates how cultural diplomacy can translate into physical spaces and community landmarks.
Why the partnership matters
The Shiga–Rio Grande do Sul relationship exemplifies how sub-national diplomacy can foster meaningful change. Over the decades, this partnership has supported educational exchanges, tourism promotion, environmental collaborations and cross-border cultural networks. Reviewing this in the context of 2025 highlights several strategic benefits:
- Tourism development: By tapping into bilateral ties, destinations can drive visitor flows—Brazil receives increased attention from Japanese travellers and Shiga gains exposure to Brazilian markets.
- Environmental cooperation: Shared interest in lake preservation and water-resource management creates a platform for technical and policy exchange in both regions.
- Cultural diplomacy: Festivals, gardens, craft exchanges and shared heritage reaffirm people-to-people connections—strengthening mutual understanding and soft-power linkages.
- Economic opportunity: Business delegates from Shiga will engage Brazilian counterparts, exploring avenues in manufacturing, design, tourism infrastructure and environmental technology.
The broader tourism & cultural context
From a tourism perspective, the visit holds promise for new travel-products and promotional campaigns. Shiga wishes to position itself as more than a domestic destination—it wants global recognition for its lake-region heritage, castles, local cuisine and nature-based tourism. Meanwhile, Rio Grande do Sul can leverage this friendship to diversify its visitor origin base, deepen cultural exchange with Japan and highlight its Japanese-Brazilian community as part of the narrative. Such initiatives contribute to the broader goal of building sustainable, year-round tourism flows beyond peak seasons.
Culturally, the Brazil–Japan corridor is mature: Japan is home to one of the largest Japanese diaspora communities in Brazil, and cultural festivals in Rio Grande do Sul have attracted thousands annually. This 45-year anniversary builds on decades of connections, embedding them within official state-to-prefecture frameworks.
Looking ahead: Outcomes and expectations
As the delegation travels, expectations are being set for both immediate and longer-term outcomes. In the short term, ceremonial goodwill and media exposure will highlight the anniversary celebrations. In the medium-term, initiatives are expected to fall into three clusters:
- Tourism campaigns: Joint marketing, destination-pairing and travel packages between Shiga and Brazil aimed at promoting dual-destination itineraries.
- Education & exchange: Student visits, sister-school partnerships and cultural programmes that deepen ties between the regions’ young citizens.
- Sustainability projects: Environmental cooperation on lake and wetland ecosystems, renewable energy, water management and ecosystem tourism.
By advancing along these fronts, the “Bonds of Lakes” can evolve into a living platform of cooperation that continues well beyond the anniversary year.
Why travellers should take note
For travel-enthusiasts, the anniversary offers a fresh narrative: imagine combining visits to Japan and the Brazilian south under a unified theme of nature, culture and heritage. Shiga’s lake region is accessible from Kyoto and Tokyo, while Porto Alegre and other parts of Rio Grande do Sul are rich in culture, nature and Brazilian-Japanese heritage. This deepening of state-level relations suggests new events, festivals, themed tours and possibly niche travel products aligned with the anniversary.
Final Thoughts
The 45-year sister-state relationship between Shiga Prefecture and Rio Grande do Sul stands as a testament to enduring international friendship. With the November 2025 delegation visit, both regions are renewing a commitment to shared values, natural heritage and mutual prosperity. For travellers, this marks an opportune moment to explore destinations that are not only rich in culture and nature but are also embedded in active international ties—offering experiences informed by decades of diplomacy, exchange and collaboration.
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