In this paper, we see “multicultural coexistence” as “multicultural collaboration” as one of the efforts of “regional collaboration”, and see if multicultural collaboration leads to the development of the leaders of local communities.
Internationalization at the level of local governments initially began as exchange and cooperation activities with foreign countries, and in the 1970s it was themed as “internal internationalization” by advanced local governments and provided support activities as a guarantee of rights for “oldcomers.” In the 1990s, the number of foreigners settled(“newcomers”) increased, and the local governments started to support newcomers. The term multicultural coexistence is a term that has been widely used since the 1990s as a support to these foreign residents. Moreover, in 2006, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications pointed out that in the “Regional Multicultural Coexistence Promotion Plan,” multicultural coexistence will become the third pillar of regional internationalization, together with international exchange and cooperation.
Kure City’s existing multicultural collaboration measures began with international exchange in the 1970s, and have provided communication support and lifestyle support. It is also being used to support the participation of foreign residents in community development.