Europe Latest News 

Gaining inspiration from Europe for advancing Yokohama’s circular economy

by | Aug 28, 2025

On August 21, the City of Yokohama Europe Representative Office visited the ICLEI European Secretariat in Freiburg to meet with Regional Director Wolfgang Teubner and ICLEI’s Circular Economy team and discussed about ongoing European projects, exchanged ideas and identified areas for collaboration.

ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability- is a global network of more than 2500 local and regional governments committed to sustainable urban development and manages successful projects like the Circular Cities Declaration. Their deep knowledge, experiences and broad network to municipalities, international organizations and the EU government make them a highly valuable partner in the fight for the green transition.

By establishing such connections Yokohama demonstrates the importance of collaborating across borders and the significance of mutual learning to achieve the ambitious goals toward the circular transition. Taking European initiatives as inspiration for projects in Yokohama will accelerate the realization of the global vision of a circular economy.

Another big step in enhancing the global dialogue will be the Asia Smart City Conference in November 2025, held in Yokohama. The conference will be a platform for cities, governments, academia, businesses and international organizations to deepen the cross-border exchange on circular economy and climate-neutral solutions.

These efforts to forge international connections will ensure that the Green x Expo 2027 will have the best possible basis for facilitating the broadest possible exchange and bringing about real change to Yokohama and the world.

Europe Latest News

One of Yokohama’s Public-Private Partnership: Bosch Japan

One of Yokohama’s Public-Private Partnership: Bosch Japan

In September, the Frankfurt delegation also visited Bosch Japan, whose headquarters were moved to Yokohama in 2024. The main focus of the visit was to learn about the relationship between the city of Yokohama and the company and to draw insights from this strong example of a public-private partnership.

Promoting Innovation and Economic Exchange Through the City Partnership

Promoting Innovation and Economic Exchange Through the City Partnership

In September, the delegation led by Mayor Josef did not only visit cultural institutions. Another key focus was the exchange aimed at promoting economic relations. In this context, the delegation visited DeNA Co., Ltd., a company that, among other things, is committed to creating new community-oriented venues and programs to revitalize the surrounding neighborhood and foster community cohesion.

Cultural Exchange Between Yokohama and Frankfurt

Cultural Exchange Between Yokohama and Frankfurt

Developing a mutual understanding of cultural differences and ways of life is not only the key to a lasting and harmonious friendship, but also to personal growth in tolerance, open-mindedness, and empathy. It is precisely these qualities that the city of Yokohama seeks to foster in the younger generation, with the aim of seeing them grow into talented and cosmopolitan individuals. For this reason, the student exchange program with the city of Frankfurt is also an essential pillar of the city partnership established in 2011. Nevertheless, other cultural topics are also part of this partnership.

One of Yokohama’s Public-Private Partnership: Bosch Japan

One of Yokohama’s Public-Private Partnership: Bosch Japan

In September, the Frankfurt delegation also visited Bosch Japan, whose headquarters were moved to Yokohama in 2024. The main focus of the visit was to learn about the relationship between the city of Yokohama and the company and to draw insights from this strong example of a public-private partnership.

Promoting Innovation and Economic Exchange Through the City Partnership

Promoting Innovation and Economic Exchange Through the City Partnership

In September, the delegation led by Mayor Josef did not only visit cultural institutions. Another key focus was the exchange aimed at promoting economic relations. In this context, the delegation visited DeNA Co., Ltd., a company that, among other things, is committed to creating new community-oriented venues and programs to revitalize the surrounding neighborhood and foster community cohesion.

Cultural Exchange Between Yokohama and Frankfurt

Cultural Exchange Between Yokohama and Frankfurt

Developing a mutual understanding of cultural differences and ways of life is not only the key to a lasting and harmonious friendship, but also to personal growth in tolerance, open-mindedness, and empathy. It is precisely these qualities that the city of Yokohama seeks to foster in the younger generation, with the aim of seeing them grow into talented and cosmopolitan individuals. For this reason, the student exchange program with the city of Frankfurt is also an essential pillar of the city partnership established in 2011. Nevertheless, other cultural topics are also part of this partnership.