Chungcheongnam-do

 
"The Japan Office will be the seed and driving force for the normalization and development of Korea-Japan shuttle diplomacy." 
  
Chungnam Province has officially announced the commencement of a new hub in Tokyo to support Korea-Japan economic cooperation and the development of shuttle diplomacy, aiding the expansion of local companies into the Japanese market.
 
On the 16th, the inauguration ceremony of the Chungnam Province Japan Office was held at the New Otani Hotel in Tokyo.
 
Approximately 150 attendees were present at the ceremony, including Chungnam Governor Kim Tae-heum, South Korean Ambassador to Japan Yoon Deok-min, Nara Prefecture Governor Yamashita Makoto, Consul General Kim Ok-chae in Yokohama, President Ryu Ki-hwan of the Chongcheong Association in Japan, President Lee Ok-soon of the World Chungcheong Association, Chairman Kawamura Takeo of the Central Japan-Korea Friendship Association, President Hosaka Sanjo of the Tokyo Japan-Korea Friendship Association, Tokyo office heads from Kumamoto and Shizuoka prefectures, representatives of companies and public organizations in Japan, and leaders of Korean organizations in Japan.
 

Sung Yong-chan, the official, has been dispatched as the head of the newly established Japan Office located in Shinjuku, Tokyo.
 
The Japan Office serves as a hub for the province's trade promotion, foreign investment attraction, and activation of local diplomacy.
 
Its main roles include supporting export contracts for export companies based in the province, such as matching consultations with overseas buyers, export difficulties support, providing market trend information, and supporting the discovery of genuine buyers.
 

Furthermore, the office will undertake initiatives aimed at attracting foreign corporate investments, boosting tourism, fostering international exchange cooperation, and invigorating public diplomacy.
 
The opening ceremony proceeded with Governor Kim’s welcome speech, congratulatory messages from guests, a report on the office's operational plans, and a tape-cutting ceremony.
 
Governor Kim stated at the event, "Chungnam will transform the Japan Office into a new hub for Korea-Japan economic cooperation."
 
He continued, "Japan is South Korea's fourth-largest trading partner, and South Korea is Japan's fifth. The two countries continue to engage in close economic cooperation. Chungnam, being a leading region in advanced industries such as semiconductors, displays, and automobiles and historically and culturally connected to Japan, ranks second in trade surplus nationwide."
 
He added, "Through the Japan Office, Chungnam will expand investments and market entries of companies from both countries and activate cooperation in various fields, including culture, tourism, and the environment."
 

Governor Kim further stated, "The Japan Office will serve as Chungnam's embassy and the overseas branch for Chungnam companies, actively performing the role of a salesperson for Chungnam businesses, expanding exchanges with local governments such as Kumamoto, Shizuoka, and Nara, and above all, it will act as a ‘gateway’ for both Korea and Japan."
 
He also emphasized, "Following the normalization of Korea-Japan shuttle diplomacy by President Yoon Suk-yeol and Prime Minister Kishida, I believe it is Chungnam's role to support this. The Japan Office, albeit small on a national scale, will serve as a seed and driving force for the development of Korea-Japan shuttle diplomacy."
 
Governor Yamashita, in his congratulatory speech, mentioned, "Chungnam and Nara Prefecture have been exchanging for 1500 years, and based on this relationship, a friendship and cooperation agreement was signed in 2011."
 
He expressed his hope that "the inauguration of the Japan Office will lead to deeper exchanges between Nara Prefecture and Chungnam and between the governments of Korea and Japan."
 
Director Sung Yong-chan, in his report on the operation plan of the Japan Office, stated, "Local companies are seeking support in finding buyers, participating in overseas exhibitions, and practical business support with buyers. We will strengthen our role as a bridgehead for Chungnam's investment and trade by building a professional platform that connects demand and supply, and based on mutual benefits and sustainability, we will activate exchanges between local governments, promote regional content, cooperate with overseas compatriots, and expand the cultural and tourism industries."
 

Meanwhile, the province is currently operating overseas offices in five locations: Tokyo, Japan; Frankfurt, Germany; New Delhi, India; Jakarta, Indonesia; and Hanoi, Vietnam, and is planning to establish additional offices in the USA and China.
 
The province aims to enhance the trade support and foreign investment attraction capabilities of its overseas offices this year and plans to expand its initiatives by developing joint projects with cities, related provincial organizations, and groups next year.