On 3 March 2016, Mr. Norio Yamaguchi, Chairman of the International Friendship Exchange Council of Japan – ASEAN Cultural and Economic Exchange Committee, along with 15 members of the Council paid a courtesy call on H.E. Mr. Don Pramudwinai, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, during their visit to Thailand.

          Both sides exchanged viewpoints on the enhancement of Thailand and Japan economic cooperation, Thailand’s strategies upon entering the AEC including, policies towards labor mobility and capital flows, human resources development, and infrastructure development. The Minister of Foreign Affairs reaffirmed that Thailand is working to enhance labor productivity through improvements of the vocational education system in order to promote the country’s role as a regional gateway for foreign investors.

          The International Friendship Exchange Council is a non-profit non-governmental, international exchange organization established since 1 May, 1983 with the aim to strengthening cooperation and fostering network among members. Today, the Council consists of up to 1,500 corporate and individual members, including major corporations, representing a large diversity of professions, inter alia, business, culture, education, and human resources development as well as medical care.