Thailand, Japan exchange views on international cooperation at local level

BANGKOK, Nov 17 (TNA) – Thailand-Japan joined a seminar to exchange knowledge and experience in cooperation at local level between the two countries on the 130th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. Institutes of East Asian Studies, Thammasat University, Mie University, local government of Mie prefecture and the Ministry of Foreign Affair’s Department of East Asian Affairs held a seminar on “Thai Japanese relations at local level”. Representatives from agencies, working in exchange at local level and academicians from both countries exchange their view for local development and international cooperation at local level. Regarding the administrative structure, participants viewed that Japan Administrative structure gives absolute power to local government, so the local government plays a vital role in cooperation between countries at local level in parallel with implementation of the central government’s foreign policies. Each locality in Japan is highly unique, so local authorities can focus to particular fields of cooperation for full benefit for local people. While in Thailand, local authorities’ major obstacle is a lack of consistency in policy implementation due to frequent position transfers of officials. The centralisation of power does not give absolute power for local authorities, resulting in complicated and delayed work processes. Eikei Suzuki, Governor of Mie Prefecture shared his experience in international cooperation at local level that the government sector, industrial sector and educational sector need to work together. The education sector not only produce knowledge but also human resource to support the development of overseas cooperation at local level. (TNA)