Kishida is on a two-day visit to Thailand beginning yesterday, as part of his visit to the region, to cement ties with the Kingdom as well as clarifying Japan’s relations with countries in the Mekong region. He also visited China last week.

Under the MoI, the agriculture ministries of the two countries would jointly set up a high-level mechanism to forge cooperation and negotiate under the Japan-Thailand Economic Partnership Agreement. Japan will cooperate to develop the rubber industry and the Thai government’s rubber city project, according to the Foreign Ministry.

Kishida said Japan gave importance to Thailand as an economic partner and was ready to support the country in all matters.

Don told his counterpart that his government is committed to the political road map and would have a referendum on the new constitution on August 7 as planned. He said the Thai government was confident of moving towards a sustainable and stable democracy. He also assured safety for Japanese nationals in Thailand.

Kishida will today meet with Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak. He will deliver a policy speech on Asean before leaving for Myanmar in the afternoon.