Japan asks Thai government to nurture investors, residents
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Japan asks Thai government to nurture investors, residents

Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida and Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai hold talks at the Foreign Ministry on Sunday. (Foreign Ministry photo)
Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida and Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai hold talks at the Foreign Ministry on Sunday. (Foreign Ministry photo)

Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida has asked the Thai government to create a conducive investment atmosphere for Japanese investors.

Mr Kishida also asked the government to look after Japanese citizens residing in the country.

Speaking on Sunday after meeting Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai, Mr Kishida said he urged the government to "build a good atmosphere" for Japanese investors as many Japanese companies and residents have made Thailand their home.

"I have asked the government to take care of Japanese people who live across the country and also create an investment atmosphere as Thailand is Japan's indispensable partner,'' he said at the joint press conference.

Japanese entrepreneurs have set up about 4,500 companies here, Mr Kishida said.

As the countries celebrate the 130th anniversary of diplomatic relations, Mr Kishida said he hoped the meeting would spur momentum for more high-level meetings between the countries and strengthen bilateral cooperation.

Mr Don reaffirmed the government's commitment to restore democracy under the roadmap.

"I told Mr Kishida the charter referendum will be held in August and also gave him a description of the current political situation,'' he said, adding safety concerns over nuclear threats in the region was also raised in the discussion.

Agricultural cooperation and regional security matters were key issues in bilateral discussions with his Japanese counterparts, Mr Don said.

The ministers also signed a Memorandum of Intent (MoI) to strengthen cooperation on agriculture and other matters between the two governments following the talks.

The MoI listed details of cooperation including establishing a high-level mechanism in the agriculture ministries to implement policies, and cooperation on rubber production.

The first meeting between Mr Don and his Japanese counterpart was held during the 2015 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting in Manila, where they affirmed close ties, even though Thailand is under military rule.

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