On 26 May 2016, Mr. Hajime Furuta, Governor of Gifu Prefecture of Japan, along with his delegation, paid a courtesy call on H.E. Mr. Don Pramudwinai, Minister of Foreign Affairs. Both sides exchanged views on ways to strengthen cooperation and relations between Thailand and Gifu Prefecture. The Minister of Foreign Affairs encouraged Gifu Prefecture to make use of the benefits from the MOI between Thailand and Japan on Deepening the Cooperation in Agriculture and its Related Areas, which was signed by the Foreign Ministers of both countries on 1 May 2016. Furthermore, the Gifu Governor also expressed his satisfaction with the 6-fold increase of Thai tourists visiting Gifu in the past 6 years, and expressed readiness to cooperate with Thailand in facilitating Thai athletes for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in Gifu’s training centers.  

          Mr. Furuta and his delegation are currently on a visit to Thailand between 25 – 28 May 2016 to promote Gifu Prefecture in Thailand. The Governor has also paid a courtesy call on the Minister of Tourism and Sports, the Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, and hosted a Gifu promotional event at the Japanese Ambassador’s residence on 26 May 2016.