Invited in the luncheon in honor of PM Yingluck were top executives of major Japanese companies such as Mr. Osama Masuko, president of Mitsubishi Motors Corporation; Mr. Masaaki Tsuya CEO and executive board member of Bridgestone Corp.; Mr. Takanobu Ito, president and CEO of Honda Motor; Mr. Teisuke Kitayama, chairman of Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation; Mr. Fujio Mitarai, chairman and CEO of Canon Inc.; Mr. Akio Toyoda, chairman of Toyota Motor Corp.; Mr. Masatoshi, president and CEO of Ajinomoto; and Mr. Koji Nagai, Group CEO of Nomura Holdings Inc.
PM Yingluck and the Japanese executives had a chance to discuss and exchange views on economic trends and growth, companies’ investment plans, and the Thai Government’s related policies on investment promotion, and infrastructure development to accommodate investment from Japan, the most significant investor of Thailand. The Japanese private sector inquired about the Thai Government’s plan to tackle traffic congestion in Bangkok. PM Yingluck then explained on the investment and expansion of national transportation system which would comprehensively curb the problem in the long run. Inquiries on Dawei deep seaport and special economic zone development as well as high-speed rail system project were also made on which Thai Minister of Transport, and Minister attached to PM’s Office (Mr. Niwatthamrong Bunsongpaisal) were assigned to clarify.
Later in the evening, Mr. Takeuchi Seishi, President of Long Stay Business Association; and Mr. Ohta Hiroshi, president of Thailand-Japan Long Stay Promotion Association, met with PM Yingluck to discuss on the promotion of Japanese tourists’ long stay in Thailand, and sought the Thai Government’s consideration on the expansion of tourist visa and support on public relations and marketing schemes to promote tourism in Thailand among Japanese tourists and Japanese citizens who are residing in the country. In addition, the Association had also a plan to establish a long stay village in Thailand and would like to seek support from the Thai Government. PM Yingluck thanked the Association for its significant role in promoting Thai tourism and confirmed that the Thai Government, through concerned agencies, would consider the aforementioned proposals made by the Association.