Implementation of the State Great Khural Young Parliamentarians Invitation Program in Cooperation with The Nippon Foundation

The "Mongolian Parliamentarians Invitation Program" was implemented in cooperation with The Nippon Foundation and the Embassy of Mongolia in Japan, aiming to deepen mutual understanding between the parliamentarians of Mongolia and Japan, expand economic cooperation, and create a favorable environment for Mongolia’s independent and diversified economic development. From 2008 to 2012, a similar program inviting Mongolian parliamentarians to Japan was conducted in collaboration with the Sasakawa Peace Foundation, and after a 13-year hiatus, it has now been resumed in cooperation with The Nippon Foundation.

This year, under the theme of "Logistics," a delegation of seven members from the State Great Khural—Erdenebold, Batsumberel, Batbaatar, Bayarbaatar, Uyangakhishig, Uuriintuya, and Khosbayar—visited Japan from February 16 to 21.

On February 17, the "Japan-Mongolia Logistics Promotion Seminar" was held, with approximately 80 representatives from the public and private sectors in attendance. In his opening remarks, Ambassador Bayarsaikhan emphasized that "for Mongolia, as a landlocked country, the role of the transportation and logistics sector in expanding economic and trade relations with Japan has long been highlighted as a critical issue. Maritime and land transport between Mongolia and Japan requires coordination with China, Russia, South Korea, and other countries. In terms of air transport, the new Chinggis Khaan International Airport, built with Japanese yen loans, has the potential to develop into a regional aviation and logistics hub. At a time when bilateral discussions on airport expansion and infrastructure enhancement have begun, this seminar holds significant importance. Special attention should be given to the establishment of regular air cargo flights and the expansion of warehouse capacity for air freight."

During the seminar, the following experts delivered lectures:

• Jun Uehara, President of the Transport Policy Research Institute: "The Current State and Trends of Global Logistics"
• Dai Kimura, Deputy Director-General of the Logistics and Automobile Bureau, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism: "The Current State and Trends of Domestic Logistics in Japan"
• Jugdernyam, CEO of CLASS TRADING: "The Potential of Logistics Routes via Mongolia for Central Asia and Europe"
• Temujin, CEO of MonAir Japan: "The Current State and Trends of Air Transport between Mongolia and Japan"
• Naoki Beppu, President of Kojitsu Corporation: "The Current State and Trends of Maritime and Land Logistics between Mongolia and Japan"

A panel discussion was held following the presentations. After the seminar, the parliamentary delegation paid a courtesy visit to Yohei Sasakawa, Chairman of The Nippon Foundation.

From February 18 to 20, the National Great Khural delegation held meetings with Japanese lawmakers, including Akihisa Nagashima, Chairman of the Japan-Mongolia Parliamentary Friendship Caucus, Akiko Ikuina, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, and Yasuo Furukawa, Deputy Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. The delegation also conducted site visits to key logistics and infrastructure facilities, including:

• Narita Airport, Haneda Airport, and Yokohama Port cargo terminals
• SBS Group’s logistics center
• Tokyo Metropolitan College of Industrial Technology

The NGO "Asia Human Development Center" (led by Hisao Chiba) supported in the program's implementation.

A debriefing session is scheduled for March 7 in Ulaanbaatar, and the Embassy of Mongolia in Japan, in collaboration with The Nippon Foundation, plans to continue implementing the "Mongolian Parliamentarians Invitation Program" annually.