I learned that the "Japan-Korea Governors' Meeting," in which Japan and the governors of the Republic of Korea participate, is being coordinated to be held in Yamanashi Prefecture this autumn.
If it is held, it will be the first time in six years, and as the Japan-ROK summit meeting will be held on the 6th, it will be interesting to see if exchanges at the local government level between the two countries will become active.
The Japan-Korea Governors' Meeting was established in 1999 between the National Governors' Association and a council made up of the heads of regional municipalities in Korea to promote exchanges between local governments in Japan and South Korea, and has been held once every two years.
However, against the backdrop of cooling relations between the two countries, the event was not held until 2 due to the spread of the new coronavirus infection in recent years.
According to the people involved, the consideration of holding the meeting began in light of the relaxation of border measures, and arrangements are being made to hold a face-to-face meeting in Yamanashi Prefecture as early as early November.
If it is held, it will be held for the first time in six years since 1.
The specific agenda of the meeting and the participating local governments will proceed with further discussions between the two parties in the future, but according to those involved, there is also the aim of strengthening cooperation on common regional issues, such as exchanges in a wide range of fields such as tourism and culture, and the declining birthrate and aging population.
As the Japan-ROK Summit Meeting will be held on the 2017th, it will be interesting to see if exchanges at the local government level between the two countries will become more active.