On 4 August 2022, H.E. Mr. Singtong Lapisatepun, Ambassador of Thailand to Japan, and Mrs. Porndee Lapisatepun, spouse of the Ambassador, attended the Akita Kanto Festival in Akita Prefecture at the invitation of Hokuto Bank.

The Ambassador and his spouse were very pleased to be invited to jointly celebrate this important festival of the Akita Prefecture with the people of Akita.

The Akita Kanto Festival is a giant lantern festival to pray for the abundance of agricultural produce in Akita Prefecture. It is one of the three largest festivals in the Northern Tohoku region. This year festival was held for the first time after three years since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic which resulted in the suspension of the event.

Thailand has close and friendly relations with the Akita Prefecture. The warm tie is supported by the Akita-Thailand Friendship Association, which was founded in 2014 by Hokuto Bank. The Friendship Association has become a key mechanism in deepening relations with local government, the private sector and people between Thailand and Akita Prefecture.