While Lyonchhoen Tshering Tobgay is on a four-day visit to Japan, his counterpart Shinzo Abe has agreed to look into the matter of introducing electric cars in Bhutan to replace fossil fueled ones to conserve the environment and reduce oil imports.
The Japanese PM added that the “government and private sector of Japan will examine what we can do” to support Bhutan’s plan to introduce electric vehicles. Bhutan is moving ahead on the project in partnership with Nissan Motor Co.
The two ministers also agreed to initiate a policy dialogue between the foreign ministries of the two countries at the director general level to strengthen bilateral relations.
Lyonchhoen also conveyed Bhutan’s appreciation for a recently signed grants agreement with Japan for underprivileged farmers.
During the talks, PM Shinzo Abe briefed Lyonchhoen on Japan’s intention to become a “proactive contributor to peace” through international cooperation, in the light of China’s apparent willingness to pursue claims for territory and other resources in the Asia-Pacific region.
“We reaffirmed our commitment to the U.N. Charter and its purposes, including the peaceful settlement of disputes based on the principle of international law,” Lyonchhoen said.
Lyonchhoen Tshering Tobgay is first Bhutanese Prime Minister to visit Japan since 1986 when Bhutan first established diplomatic relations with Japan