On November 10, 2024, the industry-academia collaborative event “Kure Maritime Expo 2024: Discover the Charm of the Sea, Connect to the World through the Ocean” was held in Kure City, Hiroshima Prefecture. The opening ceremony began at 10:00 a.m., attended by Mayor Yoshiake Shinhara, Atsushi Sunami, President of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation, and secretaries of local Diet members.
This year, based on the “Town & Gown” initiative promoted by Kure City and Hiroshima University, the expo introduced interactive exhibits allowing participants to experience jobs, research, and the latest technology related to the ocean. The event aimed to promote Kure as a city of maritime culture through a collaborative effort involving citizens, industry, and academia.
(Text by Hirofumi Yamamoto)
Photo courtesy: JMD, Hirofumi Yamamoto
■Kure Aims to Become a New Hub for Maritime and Ocean Activities in Asia
In pursuit of establishing itself as a new hub for ocean and maritime activities in Asia, Kure City, in partnership with Hiroshima University, is advancing the “Town & Gown” initiative. Through collaboration between Kure City, Hiroshima University, the Japan Coast Guard Academy, and the Sasakawa Peace Foundation, along with other related organizations, the city focuses on addressing challenges in the maritime field and revitalizing the local economy by leveraging its distinctive maritime strengths.
Historically, Kure was home to the Kure Naval Arsenal, where the world’s largest battleship, Yamato, was constructed. Known as the foremost naval port in the East and Japan’s largest arsenal, the Kure Naval Arsenal was renowned for its advanced shipbuilding techniques, which included pioneering the use of special steel in military applications. During the final stages of World War II, Kure Naval Port sustained significant damage from air raids by U.S. forces.
After the war, the Kure Naval Arsenal became Japan Marine United’s (JMU) Kure Shipyard, which continues today as one of Japan’s leading shipbuilding facilities, producing large container ships and other vessels.
Commenting on the decision to hold the expo based on the ocean culture city initiative in Kure, President Atsushi Sunami of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation stated, “When the government selects cities for regional revitalization, key points are forward-looking planning and future investment. Kure’s ocean culture city initiative serves as an example, with support from Hiroshima University and the Japan Coast Guard Academy, to contribute to the region’s future as a center for research and education.”
On the day of the event, clear weather graced the occasion. Around the Yamato Museum (Kure Maritime Museum), booths introduced various maritime-related companies and organizations, and the area hosted ship displays, tours, as well as seminars and workshops for children.
Many families from Kure attended, and local voices were heard expressing the hope that “the city, deeply rooted in its identity as a port town, will continue hosting such events to revitalize the area.” Workshops by Hiroshima University attracted numerous children, and participants included private companies like Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Tsuneishi Shipbuilding, and Fukada Salvage and Marine Works, as well as training ships from the Japan Coast Guard Academy.
In January of this year, Kure City established the “Kure Maritime Culture City Promotion Council,” consisting of 58 organizations, including government bodies, educational institutions, related organizations, and companies, to actively promote the creation of an international center for maritime and ocean activities.
〆広島県呉市で「くれ海博」が開催され、呉市は海洋文化都市アピールした。
広島県呉市で２０２４年11月10日、産学共同イベント「海洋文化都市くれ海博2024（The Kure Maritime Expo 2024）～海の魅力を知る、海で世界につながる」が開かれた。午前10時からのオープニングセレモニーには、新原芳明（Yoshiake Shinhara）市長、笹川平和財団の角南篤（Atsushi Sunami）理事長（President）、地元選出の国会議員秘書らが出席。今回は呉市と広島大学(Hiroshima University)が推進する「Town&Gown（タウン・アンド・ガウン）構想」に基づき、海に関する仕事や研究、最新技術に触れられる体験型イベントを導入し、市民と産業界、学術界が一体となって海洋文化都市「呉」をアピールした。
(Text by Hirofumi Yamamoto)
Photo courtesy=JMD, Hirofumi Yamamoto
呉市は「アジアにおける新たな海洋・海事の拠点づくり」を目指し、広島大と共同で「Town&Gown構想」を推進。両者と海上保安大学校（Japan Coast Guard Academy）、笹川平和財団（Sasakawa Peace Foundation）の4者をはじめとする関係団体が連携し、呉市の特色である「海洋・海事」をテーマに、海洋・海事分野の課題解決や地域経済の活性化に向けた取り組みを進めている。
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