Alsace, a region rich in the histories of both France and Germany, is located in the center of Europe, adjacent to Switzerland and near Italy, and was part of the Holy Roman Empire long ago. Inhabitants of this multicultural region tend to regard themselves as “European citizens.” The Council of Europe (47 member states, including Russia) and the European Parliament (27 EU countries) are based in Strasbourg; and the Consulate-General of Japan is also located in the capital city of Alsace, which is a historically and politically important region that connects European countries.