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Event report

A look back at the signing of the Letter of Intent for friendship and cooperation between Osaka City and the French Embassy in Japan

On the occasion of President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Japan, and in the wake of the Osaka-Kansai World Expo 2025, Osaka City and the French Embassy in Japan signed, on March 31, a Letter of Intent aimed at establishing a partnership of friendship and cooperation to strengthen economic, cultural, and international exchanges.

Held at the Ambassador’s residence following a cocktail reception, the ceremony marks a significant new step in reinforcing ties between the two parties. It took place in the presence of leading figures involved in Franco-Japanese relations in Kansai and across Japan.

[Photo caption, from left to right ] : Jean-François Rauch, Director of Regional Offices at the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Japan ; Boris Colin, Principal of the French International School of Kyoto (LFIK) ; Sandrine Mouchet, Consul General of France in Kyoto ; Mathieu Fournet, Cultural Counselor and Director General of the Institut Français du Japon ; Béatrice Le Fraper du Hellen, Ambassador of France to Japan ; Xavier Carcelle, President of APEK (Kansai Parents’ Association) ; Mihoko Arai, Director in charge of Intercity Relations at the Economic Strategy Department of the City of Osaka, representing the Mayor of Osaka City, Hideyuki Yokoyama ; Jérôme Chouchan, President of the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Japan (CCI France Japon) ; Maxime Bonnet, Cooperation Officer for French Language, Institut Français du Japon ; Frédérique Penilla, Deputy Cultural Counselor and Deputy Director General of the Institut Français ; Hajime Otsuka, Deputy Director of Intercity Relations at the Economic Strategy Department of the City of Osaka ; Guillaume Cario, Regional Coordinator delegated by the AEFE Directorate – Head of Asia Sector.

Representing Mayor Hideyuki Yokoyama, Mihoko Arai, Director of International Relations at the Economic Strategy Bureau of Osaka City, and Béatrice Le Fraper du Hellen, Ambassador of France to Japan, reaffirmed their commitment to continuing dialogue and developing concrete joint projects.

This commitment will notably result in increased support from the Embassy for the development of French businesses and the promotion of French culture in Osaka. In return, Osaka City has committed to contributing to the improvement of the living environment for the French and francophone community, notably by supporting the establishment of a branch of the French Lycée; originally founded by APEK in Kyoto, thereby facilitating access to education accredited by the AEFE network.

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