The group spent roughly one week in Tokyo, meeting with political party leaders, Diet members, ministry officials, and leaders from business and labor. Discussions focused on the coalition government’s strategy to lift the country out of the recession, its employment policies, its efforts to cope with the graying society, and other policy issues. Since the timing of the visit coincided with the formation of the tripartite coalition government, the delegation members had opportunities to listen to such political party leaders as Takenori Kanzaki (New Komeito), Takako Doi (Social Democratic Party), and Tsutomu Hata (Democratic Party). These meetings offered the participants insight into the dramatic changes occurring in Japan, including the progress toward greater deregulation and the changing role of politicians in the Japanese policymaking process. The delegation’s visit to Gifu Prefecture was arranged with the help of the leader of the Japanese delegation that visited Australia in 1997, Rep. Kazuyoshi Kaneko. Through meetings with such local leaders as the Gifu prefectural governor, members of the prefectural assembly, and the president of a local bank, the participants gained a unique perspective on regional politics in Japan and the trend toward devolution of authority to local governments—especially initiatives to transfer some government functions from Tokyo to Gifu.