Gia Lai Provincial People’s Committee Signs Memorandum of Cooperation with Ashikaga City Government of Tochigi Prefecture, Japan

On the afternoon of October 27, Gia Lai Provincial People’s Committee hosted a working session with a delegation from Ashikaga City, Tochigi Prefecture (Japan), led by Mayor Naohide Hayakawa. The meeting was chaired by Mr. Nguyen Tuan Thanh, Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee and Standing Vice Chairman of the Gia Lai Provincial People’s Committee, with the participation of Ms. Huynh Thuy Van, Vice Chairwoman of the Provincial People’s Council, and representatives of relevant provincial departments and agencies.

Overview of the working session

At the meeting, the provincial leader affirmed that Viet Nam - Japan relations have developed strongly over more than 50 years, particularly since the two countries elevated their ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2023. This development provides an important foundation for Gia Lai Province to expand cooperation with Japanese localities, including Ashikaga City.

Introducing the province, Standing Vice Chairman Nguyen Tuan Thanh noted that following the administrative merger, Gia Lai has become the second largest province in Viet Nam in terms of area, with significant development potential in industry, high-tech agriculture, renewable energy, and tourism. He added that the province currently hosts 20 projects invested by Japanese enterprises, with a total registered capital of USD 98.5 million. Gia Lai also maintains cooperative relations with Izumisano City, Yoshino Town, Ashikaga City, and the Japan–Viet Nam Friendship Association in Sakai. Looking ahead, the province proposed that both sides strengthen cooperation in high-tech agriculture, processing industries, renewable energy, and logistics, and suggested that Ashikaga City support the establishment of product introduction and exhibition outlets for Gia Lai’s OCOP products in Japan, enhance cooperation in education and training, and expand cultural and tourism exchanges.

Mayor of Ashikaga City Naohide Hayakawa

Mayor Naohide Hayakawa stated that Ashikaga City has a long-standing cultural and historical heritage, along with a strong industrial base featuring several key industries. He noted that the “Ashikaga-style 5S” model has been widely applied by local enterprises. The Mayor expressed Ashikaga City’s desire to strengthen cooperation with Gia Lai Province in human resource training, industry, and high-tech agriculture, as well as in supporting workers from Gia Lai to work in Ashikaga.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the two sides signed a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the fields of human resource development, industry, tourism, education and culture, agriculture, wood processing technology, renewable energy, information technology, and artificial intelligence. The Memorandum aims to expand information exchange, create opportunities for cooperation, and further promote the Viet Nam-Japan friendship.

Author: Translated by Nguyễn Hoàng