The year 2023 marked the 40th anniversary of the establishment of friendly relationship between Japan's Shiga Prefecture and China's Hunan Province. Taizo Mikazuki, governor of Shiga Prefecture, led a delegation to visit Hunan Province on July 31, 2023. Their first stop was Yueyang City, where they were met by Li Zhi, deputy secretary of the CPC Yueyang Municipal Committee and mayor of Yueyang.

Both sides reached broad consensus on highlighting complementary advantages, strengthening exchanges and collaboration, promoting cooperation to achieve remarkable results, and jointly contributing to the development of China-Japan relations.

Both sides introduced their respective local customs, economic progress, and social development. They engaged in discussions on topics of mutual concern and exchanged gifts. Mayor Li noted that Yueyang has very close interaction with Japan. Shiga Prefecture and Yueyang City may give full play to their respective advantages and actively carry out various exchanges to enhance the level of cooperation between the two places. Shiga Governor Mikazuki said that both sides have rich water resources, and can strengthen collaboration in culture and tourism, elderly care, and other fields, to inject new momentum for China-Japan friendship.

Mikazuki led the delegation on a visit to the Chenglingji New Port Area prior to the meeting. During the visit, he inquired in detail about the port construction and foreign trade. He spoke highly of Yueyang's rich history, cultural heritage, regional advantages, urban construction, and industrial development.

Liu Qifeng, member of the Standing Committee and director of the Publicity Department of the CPC Yueyang Municipal Committee; Yang Qi, deputy director of the Foreign Affairs Office of the CPC Hunan Provincial Committee; Sun Zhicheng, secretary general of the Yueyang Municipal People's Government; Xu Yongqiu, deputy secretary general of the Yueyang Municipal People's Government; and, Pan Hongjun, deputy secretary of the CPC Working Committee and director of the Management Committee of Nanhu New District, Yueyang, attended.