On 20 December 2017, a delegation consisting of members of House of Representatives and House of Councillors of Japan paid a courtesy call on H.E. Don Pramudwinai, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand.  The delegation was led by Mr. Seiji Kihara, former State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan and included members from the private sector, led by Mr. Yoshinari Yajima, Chairman of Taiju Group Inc. The Japanese side presented information on the planned joint venture to establish factories in seven provinces of Thailand to produce wood pellets from rubber trees, which will be exported to Japan to be used for biomass power generation.  Both sides also exchanged views on Thailand - Japan diplomatic relations, which marks the 130th anniversary this year, as well as on foreign policies of the respective countries towards the region.