Ambassador of Thailand Visits Sapporo to Deepen Economic and Strategic Ties
His Excellency Mr. Witchu Vejjajiva, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Thailand to Japan, visited Sapporo in late April 2026. The visit focused on deepening bilateral ties with Sapporo and Hokkaido, and exploring local industrial strengths through high-level meetings and site visits.
■ Day 1: Courtesy Call and Business Environment Presentation
The Ambassador began his visit with a courtesy call to Mayor Katsuhiro Akimoto at Sapporo City Hall. During their meeting, he noted that Hokkaido is immensely popular in Thailand and that it is a region for which many Thai citizens feel a deep affinity. Looking ahead to the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Thailand in 2027, he expressed his commitment to further accelerating economic and urban exchanges to mark this significant milestone.
Following the meeting, a presentation was held at Sapporo Transnational Expansion and Partnership (STEP). The session provided an overview of Sapporo’s business environment, investment incentives, and priority sectors for collaboration. The Ambassador showed strong interest in the city’s industrial potential, leading to productive discussions on specific business-matching opportunities for Thai enterprises.
■ Day 2: Industrial Site Visits and Technical Infrastructure
On the second day, the Ambassador visited two major industrial hubs that drive the regional economy. He first toured a food manufacturing facility with a long-standing heritage. He commended their ability to preserve traditional methods while adhering to rigorous international food safety standards, emphasizing their dedication to “authentic flavor” using local ingredients.
The tour continued to a state-of-the-art data center, a core component of next-generation infrastructure. He observed the vast computational resources essential for the AI era and the advanced, energy-efficient cooling systems (Green DX) powered by the local climate. He noted the strong synergy with Thailand’s digital economy initiatives and expressed a keen interest in future technical cooperation.
■ Future Outlook: Strengthening Ties in HR, Technology, and Sports
The visit concluded with a fruitful exchange of views on three priority areas: Human Resource Support, Advanced Technology, and Sports. Both parties highlighted the potential for deeper multifaceted cooperation, particularly through the exchange of highly skilled talent and fostering cultural ties through sporting initiatives.
As we move toward the 140th anniversary in 2027, Sapporo is dedicated to evolving its relationship with Thailand into a robust economic and industrial partnership. STEP will continue to play a pivotal role as a bridge between the two regions, supporting mutual and sustainable growth.
