Between March 6 and March 17, 2011, GRIPS conducted the Thai Senior Executive Development Program (SEDP) in response to a request from Office of the Civil Service Commission (OCSC) in Thailand. In this seventh year of the program, GRIPS welcomed as participants one provincial governor, three provincial vice-governors and one deputy-director from the Ministry of Interior of Thailand.

During the program, which was coordinated by the SEDP Program Director Professor Yokomichi, the participants attended lectures about Japanese economy and politics, local administration and its reform, regional industrial policy, and land management in Japan. Lectures were given by GRIPS’ faculty members including Prof. Ota (Vice President), Prof. Horie (Executive Advisor to the President), Prof. Ikawa, Prof. Komatsu, Prof. Masuyama, Assoc. Prof. Hatakeyama, and Visiting Prof. Kodama. Professor Nagai from Osaka City University, Professor Honma from Tokyo University, and Mr. Tsutsui from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism also gave lectures.

The participants visited the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications and the National Governors’ Association. They also took a trip to Kyoto, Nagasaki, Shimabara, and Unzen to visit the local government office in each prefecture and city. They learned about tourism promotion, disaster management, and agricultural policy of the local government.

The participants made a donation to the Japanese Red Cross Society for the victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake, which occurred on March 11.

Lecture

Welcome Reception

Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC)

National Governors Association

Kyoto

Donation for the Great East Japan Earthquake

Nagasaki Prefecture Office (Courtesy Call to Governor)

Nagasaki City Office （Courtesy Call to Vice-Mayor）

Unzen City Office （Courtesy Call to Mayor）

Visit on agricultural development