TAKASHIMA Noriko, consul from the Japanese consulate-general in Busan, visited the NEAR Secretariat and met with Secretary-General LIM Byung-jin on April 22.

After providing Ms. Takashima with an overview of NEAR’s major projects for this year, Mr. Lim sought the assistance of the Japanese consulate-general in Busan to encourage Japanese member regions to actively participate in NEAR activities.

Ms. Takashima replied her visit provided a great opportunity to understand NEAR at a deeper level, and she will actively promote NEAR to Japanese local governments.