In response to the request from the Interior Ministry in Thailand, GRIPS conducted a Thai Executive Training Program on Provincial and Local Administration (PPLA) between April 21 and April 28, 2015. Two assistant permanent secretary for interior and eight provincial vice-governors of Thailand participated in the program.

The program was coordinated by PPLA Program Director Professor Hirofumi Takada. During the program, the participants had a chance to hear lectures on the Japanese local government system, administrative reforms, local public finance, and Comparative Studies on Local Administration in Thailand and Japan, which were given by GRIPS faculty members including Vice-President Professor Kiyotaka Yokomichi, Senior Professor and Director of the Executive Development Center for Global Leadership Masahiro Horie, Professor Hiroshi Ikawa, and Professor Takada, as well as by Professor Fumio Nagai from Osaka City University.

The participants visited the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications and Clean Authority of Tokyo 23 cities, Shin-Koto Incineration Plant in Tokyo. They also took a field trip to Hokkaido and visited Hokkaido Prefectural Office, Sapporo City Hall and Shinshinotsu village where they learned about the local administration reform on tourism and Waste Policy of Sapporo City.

On the final day, Professor Takada presided over a summary session. After that, a closing ceremony was held and each participant received a certificate.