An Oita Prefectural Citizen's Association was established in Brazil in October 1952. Marking the 45th anniversary of its advent this year, the Society has been a bridge linking Oita prefecture and Brazil through good will between members, exchanges with societies from other prefectures, and the sending of exchange students and researchers to Oita. A ceremony to commemorate the 45th anniversary of the Oita Citizen's Group was held on October 4 in the Nippaku Cultural Society Hall in Sao Paulo. Exchanges were further deepened by the attendance at this ceremony of Society chairman, Sakai Seiichi, and four hundred members, and the Oita delegation (comprising fourteen members plus Governor Hiramatsu as delegation leader) visiting Brazil at the time. Celebratory artistic performances included Kagura by a troupe from Kunisaki-machi, who received resounding applause for their rendition of the Orochitaiji dance. After the ceremonies, the Oita delegation met with Brazilian President, Fernando Henrique Cardoso, on October 7. Pointing out the success of the exchange students and researchers readily hosted by Oita prefecture, Governor Morihiko Hiramatsu put forward a request for exchange students to be sent to the Ritsumeikan Asia-Pacific University to be opened in April 2000. He also promoted the benefits of Oita as a distribution base given the designation of the Port of Oita in Oita City as a Foreign Access Zone (FAZ). The President made it clear that he would continue to provide positive support. Governor Hiramatsu also gave addresses about the One Village One Product movement in Sao Paulo and Vitoria in the state of Esp EDrito.