PORTALJABAR, GARUT REGENCY - The Garut Regency Government received an official visit from the Deputy Mayor of Higashikawa, Hokkaido, Japan, Fumihiro Sitou and his entourage, Tuesday (22/4/2025). The visit aims to establish partnerships, especially in the fields of nursing, education, culture, and employment.

Garut Regent Abdusy Syakur Amin, who welcomed the visit directly, expressed his pride in the arrival of the delegation from the Land of the Rising Sun. In his speech, he emphasized the importance of international cooperation to promote the welfare of the Garut community.

According to him, this meeting is a great opportunity to create job opportunities for the young generation of Garut in productive age. Syakur said that Garut has a population of around 2.8 million people with an area of 3,101 km², and has a coastline of 84 km.

"This meeting is an opportunity for us to provide job opportunities for the younger generation to be able to work during productive times," continued the Garut Regent in the Pamengkang Room.

However, Syakur acknowledged that there are still challenges in the economic and social sectors that hinder the provision of optimal employment for the community. Therefore, he hopes that the visit from Higashikawa can pave the way for mutually beneficial and sustainable cooperation. The cooperation is also based on mutual trust and respect so that a lasting partnership can be created.

Meanwhile, Deputy Mayor of Higashikawa, Fumihiro Sitou hopes to be able to make a memorandum of understanding with the Garut Regency Government.

During the visit, Sitou also introduced Higashikawa City, located in the middle of Hokkaido Island and with a population of around 8,600. He described the city as having a green and calm natural atmosphere, similar to Garut. The city is close to the second largest city in Hokkaido, Asahikawa (about 10 minutes from Asahikawa Airport).

"Higashikawa City is actually similar to Garut City, surrounded by greenery," said Fumihiro Sitou.

He also shared news about 40 students from Indonesia who are studying in Higashikawa, with details of 19 people in the Japanese Language department, 8 people in the Nursing department, and 13 people in various other departments.

Closing his visit, Sitou extended an invitation to the Garut Regency Government to make a return visit to Higashikawa next month as a form of follow-up to the exploration of this cooperation.

During this visit, he brought eight people, consisting of three representatives of the Higashikawa City Government, three school representatives, and two journalists from Japanese media (television and newspapers).

From the local government, also present were the Head of the Tourism and Culture Office, Luna Aviantrini, the Head of the Manpower and Transmigration Office, Mukin and the Head of the Agriculture Office, Haeruman along with other staff.