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Mayor Choi Min-ho Strengthens Cooperation with Major Japanese Cities

- Visiting Japan for 5 days from October 30th. Meetings with Chiba Governor and attending the Korea-Japan Governors Conference -

- Opportunities to share experiences on particle accelerator therapy centers and quantum computer development -

Mayor Choi Min-ho of Sejong Special Self-Governing City will embark on a 4-night, 5-day trip to Japan, starting from October 30th, to enhance cooperation with Chiba Prefecture and other major cities and introduce Sejong's balanced development policy.

During this visit, Mayor Choi Min-ho will discuss the direction of city-to-city cooperation on digital transformation policies with Chiba Prefecture and introduce Sejong's balanced development policy at the 7th Korea-Japan Governors Conference in Yamanashi Prefecture.

The itinerary begins with a meeting with Governor Kumagai Toshihito of Chiba Prefecture and an inspection of key facilities.

In this meeting, they will discuss cooperation initiatives in areas such as the Digital Platform Government (DPG), medical treatments (particle therapy), 2024 HackTheon Sejong (international cybersecurity competition for college students), and garden fields.

Following this, he will meet with Yamada Shigeru, the director of the Particle Accelerator at the Quantum Science and Technology (QST) in Chiba Prefecture to hear about the current state of particle therapy.

They will discuss the operation of the therapy center and support from the government and local authorities.

Mayor Choi Min-ho will introduce plans to attract the Particle Accelerator Cancer Treatment Center and Sejong Medical Center and listen to Japan's experience in introducing particle accelerators to make the leap into a medical welfare hub city.

On the second day, the 31st, he will meet Director Gonokami Makoto of the Institute of Physical and Chemical Research to learn about Japan's first quantum computer development, tour the quantum computer center within the institute, and discuss ways to foster the quantum industry.

The Institute of Physical and Chemical Research is Japan's only comprehensive natural science research institute, boasting world-renowned authority and producing several Nobel laureates. It operates a world-renowned quantum computer research center.

Mayor Choi Min-ho plans to utilize Japan's experience in quantum computer development to lay the foundation for the realization of Quantum City Sejong.

From November 1st to 2nd, he will attend the Korea-Japan Governors Conference in Yamanashi Prefecture to present Sejong's balanced development policy.

11 Japanese cities, including Yamanashi, Shizuoka, Tottri, Hiroshima, Kyoto, Nagano, and Fukuoka, are expected to participate in the Korea-Japan Governors Conference, providing an opportunity to strengthen cooperation between Sejong and these cities.

During this time, he will have a separate meeting with Governor Gawagata Heita of Shizuoka Prefecture to discuss cooperation in the garden sector and other city-to-city collaboration areas.

Mayor Choi Min-ho said, “Through this visit to Japan, we will use it as an opportunity to strengthen our exchanges with major cities in Japan, such as Chiba Prefecture and Shizuoka Prefecture.” He added, “We will also actively pursue collaboration in the fields of particle accelerators and quantum computers with major cities in Japan.”

Meanwhile, the delegation for this Japan trip is composed around Mayor Choi Min-ho and officials in charge of particle accelerator and quantum computer policies. Lee Ho-sik, Ambassador for International Relations, and Hong Man-pyo, Sejong City's Overseas Cooperation Officer, will accompany them to provide consultation for exchange cooperation.