The Mayor of Hamamatsu, Japan, Mr Yasutomo Suzuki, participated in the World Forum for Democracy and paid a visit to the Council of Europe Deputy Secretary General before attending a meeting in Paris where he presented the intercultural strategy implemented by his city.

Under his leadership, Hamamatsu has become the frontrunner among Japanese cities in providing access to housing, education and health care to migrants, and there have already been deep contacts with the Council of Europe Intercultural Cities network.

The Mayor now focuses on taking further measures to include migrants in the local and working life as Japan sees increased diversity, in particular through migration from other Asian countries.