Fukuoka–Niigata Pact and Career Café Milestone Announced

Fukuoka Prefecture held a press conference to announce a new interregional cooperation agreement with Niigata Prefecture and upcoming events celebrating the third anniversary of its Career Café for working women. Additional updates included diplomatic engagement with India and new personnel appointments.

Fukuoka–Niigata Agreement: A Model for Decentralized Regional Collaboration

On August 27, the governors of Fukuoka and Niigata signed a cooperation agreement covering four key areas: tourism and local products, enterprise promotion, traditional manufacturing, and world heritage protection.

Governor Hattori emphasized that regional partnerships can thrive without relying on Tokyo, and expressed hope that this agreement would serve as a successful model for interregional exchange. He noted the shared characteristics between the two prefectures and the challenges posed by the overconcentration of population and resources in the capital.

The agreement outlines the following initiatives:

- **Tourism, Food, and Alcohol Promotion**: Joint efforts to promote regional tourism through the appeal of local cuisine and alcoholic beverages, including collaborative marketing projects.

- **Enterprise Development**: Strengthening existing ties, for example, by encouraging Niigata-based businesses to participate in Fukuoka's startup pitch events, aimed at expanding funding and networking opportunities.

- **Traditional Manufacturing**: Mutual promotion of local crafts, with Fukuoka supporting the expansion of the “Open Factory” initiative originally developed in Niigata.

- **World Heritage and Environmental Protection**: Coordinated activities such as environmental events, lectures, and opinion exchanges to preserve cultural and natural heritage.

Career Café for Women Celebrates Third Anniversary

On October 18, Fukuoka Prefecture will host events marking the third anniversary of its Career Café for working women. The initiative has grown to over 1,200 registered participants in just two years, receiving widespread positive feedback.

The celebration will feature a keynote lecture by the president of Japan Airlines—the first female president of the company and a native of Fukuoka. Her talk will focus on strategies for advancing DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) in the workplace.

Diplomatic Engagement with India and Personnel Updates

The governor also announced recent personnel changes and shared details of a conversation with the Prime Minister of India. Fukuoka expressed a warm welcome to the newly established Consulate General of India and hopes to collaborate in advanced technology sectors.

According to the governor, the Prime Minister remarked during their meeting that “Fukuoka is very powerful,”.