Envoy: Japan seeks stronger ties with Azerbaijani municipalities

Japan is seeking to expand cooperation with municipalities in Azerbaijan, with a focus on strengthening partnership ties and reviving student exchange programs, according to a statement from the Japanese Embassy in Baku cited by domestic media.

Ambassador Katsuya Watanabe visited the Japanese city of Ito in late March, where he held talks with Mayor Kazuya Sugimoto. “During the meeting, opportunities for cooperation between the city of Ito and Azerbaijan’s Ismayilli district, as well as relations between Azerbaijani and Japanese municipalities, were discussed,” the statement said.

Watanabe also expressed readiness to support the resumption of regional student exchange initiatives, including programs that would allow students to stay with host families.

Ito and Ismayilli have maintained sister-city relations since 2013, during which time they have implemented a number of successful joint projects, including student exchanges.

The embassy подчеркнуло that such cooperation helps strengthen friendship and mutual understanding between the peoples of Azerbaijan and Japan.

By Tamilla Hasanova