Japanese and South Korean governors have affirmed the importance of working together in addressing issues affecting both countries.
At a joint meeting of the Japan's National Governors' Association and the Governors Association of the Republic of Korea in Incheon, northwestern South Korea, on Wednesday, participants talked about measures to boost the economy and deal with population decline.
Summing up the discussions, they adopted a joint statement stressing the need to build a model of substantive and sustainable cooperation to tackle common challenges.
From Japan, Shuichi Abe, governor of Nagano Prefecture and president of the Japanese association, and eight others attended the meeting.
Noting that both sides recognize the problems facing Japan and South Korea, Abe said, "I'm confident that we can advance efforts for a new era through cooperation."
Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok, who also serves as head of the South Korean governors association, said that creating a good future through cooperation is important not only for relations between local governments in South Korea and Japan but also for the development of the two countries.
The first meeting between Japanese and South Korean governors was held in 1999. The latest meeting was the eighth of its kind.
The two sides agreed to hold the next meeting in Japan in 2027.
In addition to Abe, the governors of Iwate, Miyagi, Yamanashi, Okayama, Hiroshima, Tokushima, Fukuoka and Kumamoto prefectures took part in Wednesday's meeting.
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