2013.03.29-31 Ambassador visited Niigata Prefecture to strengthen ties between Thailand and Niigata

24/04/2013

On 29 – 31 March 2013 H.E. Ambassador Thanatip Upatising together with officials of Royal Thai Embassy visited Niigata Prefecture in order to explore the possibility to further strengthen the relations between Thailand and Niigata Prefecture, as well as to meet the Thai community in Niigata during the Consul Mobile Unit in Kashiwazaki City.

During the visit, Ambassador paid courtesy call on Mr.Hirohiko Izumida, Governor of Niigata Prefecture and had lunch with Mr.Hiroshi Aida, Mayor of Kashiwazaki City. The Ambassador stressed on the cordial ties between Thailand and Japan that lasts 600 years while the Niigata side emphasized the relation between Thailand and Niigata based on the common rice culture. Thailand and Niigata Prefecture also have strong economic relations due to the fact that Niigata is the major producer of rice and agricultural products and has many tourist spots including Ski resort. Therefore, both side express strong will to continue their closer cooperation on trade and tourism exchanges. Ambassador also requested Niigata Prefecture and Kashiwazaki City to take good care of around 400 Thai citizens who stay at Niigata Prefecture.

On the private side, Ambassador also visited factory of Kameda Seika, a major producer of Japanese rice cracker (Sembei) which also had its subsidiary in Thailand. Mr. Michiyasu Tanaka, President of the company stressed his plan to use the factory in Thailand as its production base for ASEAN market. In addition, Ambassador visited Sake factories of Imayotsukasa and Asahi Shuzo, which use Niigata rice to produce.