The Bhutanese Leading the way.
Lyonchhen Tshering Tobgay went on a working visit to Japan at the invitation of the Government of Japan from 30th June to 3rd July. He had a meeting with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on 30th June and held wide ranging discussions on bilateral relations, on regional and international issues of mutual interest and concern.
Lyonchhen thanked Prime Minister Abe for the support Japan had been rendering to Bhutan’s socio-economic development over the past decades. He requested for Japan’s continued support to agriculture, including farm mechanization, and for infrastructure development. Lyonchhen also requested for Japan’s support to set up the infrastructure for electric vehicles, including charging stations.
Prime Minister Abe assured Lyonchhen of Japan’s continued support to Bhutan’s socio-economic development needs. He hosted a dinner in honour of Lyonchhen.
On 1st July Lyonchhen received an audience with His Imperial Highness Crown Prince Naruhito and held meetings with senior officials of the Government of Japan.
During the audience, Lyonchhen conveyed the warm greetings of Their Majesties the King and Queen of Bhutan and submitted a letter from His Majesty the King to His Majesty the Emperor.
Lyonchhen met with Mr. Akira Amari, Minister for Economic Revitalization, Mr. Yoshimasa Hayashi, Minister for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and Mr. Seiji Kihara, Parliamentary Vice Minister, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and discussed various areas of cooperation.
Lyonchhen also met with the President of Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO and Executives of various companies to explore trade and investment opportunities between the two countries.
Lyonchhen visited the Nissan Showroom to look at various electric vehicles manufactured by the Company. A lunch was hosted by the Friendship Exchange Council. On the evening of 1st July 2014, the Japan-Bhutan Friendship Association hosted dinner in honour of Lyonchen and the delegation.
Lyonchhen visited Soma City in Fukushima On 2nd July. In the evening, he met with Bhutan’s Honorary Consuls, members of the Japan Society for GNH Studies and other friends over dinner in Tokyo. Lyonchhen will left Tokyo on 3rd July and arrived in Bhutan on the 4th of July.
