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French-Japanese interpreting for the 7th Franco-Japanese summit for decentralised cooperation

The 7th Franco-Japanese summit for decentralised cooperation was held in Aix-en-Provence from October 3rd to 6th 2022. Atenao and its team of 6 interpreters provided on-site simultaneous interpreting for the 4-day summit discussing land use planning, innovations and sustainable development issues.

200 French and Japanese decision-makers meet in Aix-en-Provence

200 local government decision-makers from France (Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Grenoble, Nantes, Dijon etc.) and Japan (Tokyo, Yokohama, Kumamoto, Nara, Shizuoka and Toyota) spent 4 days together in Aix-en-Provence for the 7th Franco-Japanese summit for decentralised cooperation. The French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs joined forces with the Japanese Ministry of Internal Affairs, Foreign Affairs and Communication to launch the summit as an opportunity to explore and discuss “a sustainable and inclusive land fuelled by innovation” and the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals including:

  • Healthy ageing
  • Social and solidarity economy
  • Disaster risk reduction

 

Mission: Simultaneous two-way French-Japanese interpreting

With conferences, workshops and tours on the agenda, a significant amount of human and material resources were required:

  • 6 Japanese interpreters split into 4 pairs.
  • 3 bidules and 150 headsets for the tours (old town with official Tourist Information guides, Japanese garden and Théâtre Nô at Parc Saint-Mitre, Technopôle de l’Arbois business hub).
  • 3 fixed simultaneous interpreting booths at the Palais des Congrès d’Aix-en-Provence for the conferences.
  • 3 portable interpreting booths for every room hosting workshops at the Palais des Congrès.
  • 1 portable simultaneous interpreting booth at the Grand Théâtre de Provence for speeches by:
    • Mr François Rebsamen, Mayor of Dijon, President of Cités Unies France
    • Mr Tamotsu Okamoto, President of CLAIR
    • Mr Jean-Pierre Colin, Vice-president of the PACA region in charge of finance and cooperation partnerships
    • Mr Kazufumi Onishi, Mayor of Kumamoto (video)
    • Madame Sophie Joissains, Mayor of Aix-en-Provence
    • Mr Junichi Ihara, Japanese Ambassador in Paris
    • Mr Jean-Paul Guihaumé, Ambassador, Representative of External Action for Local Government and French Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs

The organisers called it a triumph and praised “Atenao’s commitment to the success of the Franco-Japanese summit for decentralised cooperation. Both the French and Japanese attendees all shared their admiration and hope to return to Aix-en-Provence.” We would like to thank the International Relations and Appeal department for putting their trust in us.