JAPAN/IOI | International Forum and Training Workshop held in Tokyo

The Japanese IOI Member and the Administrative Administration Bureau of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, held an International Forum and Training Workshop for Asian Ombudsman institutions from 7 – 10 March 2016.

The topic chosen for the international forum was „Administrative Grievance Resolution and The Ombudsman – Enhancing Transparency and responsiveness in public administration“. Professor Masahiro Horie from the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies moderated this session. Key note speeches were delivered by IOI President and Namibian Ombudsman John R. Walters, AOA President and IOI Regional President for the Asian Region, Federal Ombudsman of Pakistan Salman Faruqui, IOI Secretary General and Austrian Ombudsman Günther Kräuter, Deputy Ombudsman of Hongkong Kam Shing So and the host Ombudsman Yutaka Arai. The honourable speakers presented good practice examples from their respective country or region and attracted many questions from the big audience.

An international training workshop titled “Wachdogs Bark – Systematic Investigations for Ombudsman” added to the Forum a useful possibility to exchange experiences and learning opportunity. The training was mainly conducted by Mr. André, Marin, the Former Ontario Ombudsman, as well as Professor Hisao Tsukamoto, from the Waseda University, and Kimiyoshi Toyama, Professor at the Rikkyo University.

The gathering was also used to hold a separate Asian Ombudsman Association (AOA) Meeting, as well as an IOI Asian Regional Meeting, where representatives of the region were able to discuss current activities.