Ulaanbaatar
Minister of Foreign Affairs Engages Hokkaido Delegation on Regional Policy and ‘Billions of Trees’ Initiative
Politics
Ulaanbaatar, October 21, 2025 /MONTSAME/. Minister of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia, Battsetseg Batmukh welcomed a Japanese delegation led by Hiroyuki Kakuwa, Mayor of Biei in Hokkaido Prefecture, and Kazuaki Takeuchi, Honorary Consul of Mongolia in Sapporo.
During the meeting, Minister Battsetseg highlighted the solid and enduring relationship between Mongolia and Japan, noting its advancement to the level of a Special Strategic Partnership. She praised the Honorary Consuls of Mongolia for their significant contributions in fostering people-to-people ties, enhancing interregional cooperation, and expanding economic, cultural, and educational exchanges, described as the “cornerstones” of the bilateral partnership.
The Minister also emphasized the importance of sharing expertise with Hokkaido Prefecture, which shares similar natural and climatic conditions with Mongolia. She called for collaboration in areas such as tourism development and afforestation, aligned with Mongolia’s Regional Development Policy.
The Japanese delegation expressed strong interest in deepening cooperation under Mongolia’s “Billions of Trees” national movement, initiated by President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa. Proposed initiatives include establishing friendship groves for children and youth, advancing tree breeding programs, and promoting agricultural development.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mongolia currently has seven Honorary Consuls serving in Japan, located in Hokkaido, Niigata, Tokushima, Toyama, Nagoya, Fukuoka, and Hiroshima.
