A Shandong government delegation led by Shandong Party Secretary Liu Jiayi left Japan on Dec 8 after a five-day visit.

During their visit, the delegation visited a number of companies and cities such as Osaka, Kyoto, Tokyo, and Yokohama and met with political leaders and representatives of various sectors. Several activities were held to promote trade and cooperation.

Liu Jiayi (left), Party chief of Shandong province, meets with Yasuo Fukuda, former Japanese prime minister, during his visit to Japan. [Photo/dzwww.com]

During his stay, Liu met with many top Japanese politicians, including Yasuo Fukuda, former Japanese prime minister, Yohei Kono, former Japanese chief cabinet secretary, Toshihiro Nikai, secretary-general of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, Natsuo Yamaguchi, leader of Japan's Komeito Party, and Hiroshi Kajiyama, Japanese minister of economy.

They discussed carrying out agreements reached by the leaders of the two countries and decided to further strengthen cooperation between Shandong and Japan.

The delegation also visited the Japan Science and Technology Agency and signed an agreement on scientific and technological cooperation. The two sides unveiled an overseas incubator in Japan to commercialize scientific and technological achievements, as well as an alliance for cooperation on electric vehicle power systems.

The Shandong delegation visits the Japan Science and Technology Agency and the two sides sign an agreement on scientific and technological cooperation. [Photo/dzwww.com]

The delegation met and discussed future cooperation with the Japan External Trade Organization, a Japanese government-related organization that promotes trade and investment between Japan and other nations.

They also visited a number of Japanese multinationals, including Toyota Motor Corporation, Nidec Corporation, Itochu Corporation, Toray Group, and Sumitomo Corporation, and carried out in-depth and pragmatic discussions on deepening and expanding bilateral cooperation and increasing investment. They reached many consensuses and signed a number of agreements.

The Shandong delegation visits the Weichai Power (Tokyo) Innovation Center. [Photo/dzwww.com]

Some other places they visited were the Weichai Power (Tokyo) Innovation Center and Haier Asia, a Tokyo-based subsidiary of Chinese consumer appliance giant Haier Group. Both Weichai and Haier are based in Shandong province.

A conference for Shandong Chamber of Commerce and the overseas Chinese community in Japan was held as well, during which Liu briefed attendees on the economic and social development of Shandong province and achievements resulting from the Shandong delegation's visit to Japan.

He said that Shandong has entered a new era of opening up and he expressed hope that more projects and talents would be introduced to Shandong to accelerate the province's development.

Several overseas Chinese expressed pride in the development of their homeland and said they hope to contribute to Shandong's development.

The Shandong delegation also visited Sun City Yokohama, a retirement community operated by Health Care Japan Co Ltd. It is a leader in Japan's fast-growing retirement community industry.

The Shandong delegation visits the Toyota Motor Corporation. [Photo/dzwww.com]

The Shandong delegation visits the Sun City Yokohama. [Photo/dzwww.com]