By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo

Gyeonggi-do Governor Kim Dong-yeon met with a group of lawmakers from the Aichi Prefectural Assembly on Jan. 30 at the Gyeonggi-do Government Office to seek ways to revitalize friendly cooperation between Gyeonggi-do and Aichi Prefecture, including cooperation in the manufacturing sector and youth exchanges.

The six members of the Liberal Democratic Party of Japan's Aichi Prefectural Assembly visited Gyeonggi-do in preparation for the 2026 Aichi and Nagoya Asian Games, and delivered a letter from the governor of Aichi Prefecture expressing their desire to expand friendly exchanges with Gyeonggi-do to Gov. Kim Dong-yeon.  

Gov. Kim said, "I hope that Gyeonggi-do and Aichi Prefecture will strengthen their cooperative relationship. I think there are many areas to cooperate with Aichi Prefecture in terms of manufacturing and industry, and I would like to conduct youth exchanges with Aichi Prefecture. If you can identify a suitable partner in the prefecture, we will discuss it with our counterparts."

Representing the Aichi prefectural assembly, lawmaker Toshinao Takakuwa said, "Aichi Prefecture is the manufacturing center of Japan, home to Toyota's headquarters. I would like to ask for your support as Japan has a lot to learn from Korea in the IT industry, and I hope that many Korean tourists will visit Ghibli Park when it opens in March." "The youth exchange is something I was going to ask for. I hope we can promote youth exchanges with Gyeonggi Province."

Aichi Governor Hideaki Omura said in a letter delivered by the legislators, "I look forward to more active exchanges between Aichi Prefecture and Gyeonggi-do, as well as between Aichi Prefecture and Korea. Through this visit, we hope to deepen the mutual understanding and friendship between the two regions."

Since signing the MOU with Aichi Prefecture in 2015, Gyeonggi-do has been continuously promoting cooperation projects in various fields such as youth, economy, and culture and arts. In particular, since 2017, Gyeonggi-do has been sending youth delegations to each other and promoting online exchanges by connecting high schools in both regions one-on-one, even when face-to-face exchanges are difficult due to COVID-19. 

In addition, a Gyeonggi-do arts troupe is continuously sent to the 'Korea Festival in Nagoya' held in Aichi Prefecture every November to promote K-culture and the excellence of Gyeonggi-do's arts sector.

Aichi Prefecture is Japan's third largest metropolitan area located in central Japan and is a mecca for industrial tourism based on the development of manufacturing industries such as Toyota Motor Corporation and Nagoya Railroad. It will host the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.