Hiroshima, Japan, May 5, 2025 — With the goal of reaffirming the bilateral relationship between the State of Guanajuato and Hiroshima Prefecture, Governor Libia Dennise García Muñoz Ledo led an official visit on the occasion of the 11th anniversary of the sisterhood between the two regions.
During this international mission, the Governor met with Hiroshima’s Governor, Hidehiko Yuzaki, expressing Guanajuato’s commitment to building a lasting alliance with Japan. “We are united by our history and by the future we want to build for our communities,” García Muñoz Ledo stated, emphasizing that this collaboration has grown stronger over the years, positioning both regions as strategic partners across several fields.
A solid proposal for economic cooperation
A key part of the visit included the presentation of a concrete collaboration proposal led by Guanajuato’s Secretary of Sustainable Economic Development, Claudia Villaseñor Aguilar. The proposal outlines five key initiatives to strengthen business ties, technological exchange, and internationalization of companies:
- Hiroshima–Guanajuato supply chain fair
A networking event to foster connections between businesses from both regions. - International internship program Hiroshima–Guanajuato
Aimed at youth mobility, promoting academic and professional exchange. - Hiroshima–Guanajuato technical microcredentialing platform
A new tool for continuous and specialized training. - Hiroshima–Guanajuato business bridge for ´PYMES´
Designed to stimulate entrepreneurship and binational innovation. - Public policy exchange for the development of smart and sustainable cities
Focused on sharing successful urban planning and sustainability strategies.
Additionally, the proposal includes the creation of a Bilateral Business Opportunity Platform to identify and develop joint projects, as well as a Bilateral Business Lab to foster global-oriented technological innovation.
Cultural exchange as a vehicle of identity and international projection
Guanajuato’s Secretary of Culture, Lizeth Galván Cortés, introduced the Guanajuato–Hiroshima Creative Platform, a cultural collaboration initiative focused on promoting art, design, and identity-driven creativity.
Key components include:
- The Hiroshima–Guanajuato Biennial of art and craft, showcasing creative talent from both regions.
- The cultural cuisine biennial, promoting gastronomic dialogue.
- The Mazda Hiroshima–Guanajuato Design Award, celebrating culturally rooted innovation.
- A Printmaking workshop inspired by Guanajuato’s rock art heritage.
The platform also envisions traveling exhibitions and collaborative projects between artists, designers, and artisans from both regions.
Tourism with a Global Vision
Secretary of Tourism María Guadalupe Robles León outlined a strategic collaboration agenda to promote tourism between the two territories, structured into seven key areas:
- Gastronomic exchange
To spotlight traditional and contemporary cuisine. - Collaboration in viticulture culture
Leveraging the growing wine tourism in Guanajuato. - Training for Japanese tourist services
Aiming to improve the experience for Japanese visitors in the state. - Joint promotional campaigns
Targeting shared markets of interest. - Participation in trade fairs and business missions
Increasing Guanajuato’s visibility in Asia. - Seminars to share successful tourism practices
Exchanging knowledge and strategies in tourism development. - Gastronomic ambassadors program
Sending chefs and culinary promoters to represent Guanajuato in Japan.
Guanajuato Joins Hiroshima’s Iconic Flower Festival Parade
As part of the visit, the Guanajuato delegation participated in the traditional Hiroshima Flower Festival Parade, a massive event that promotes peace and unity. Guanajuato’s presence was warmly received as a gesture of friendship and cultural exchange.
Governor García Muñoz Ledo also laid a wreath at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial, accompanied by heartfelt drawings from children in Guanajuato carrying messages of peace — a deeply symbolic and emotional act.
Artisan and educational presence in Hiroshima
To further enrich cultural ties, workshops on traditional Guanajuato papier-mâché (cartonería) were held in Hiroshima, led by master craftsman Osvaldo Ruelas Ramírez. These sessions allowed the Japanese public to experience this vibrant folk art firsthand.
The delegation also met with four Guanajuatense students currently studying in Hiroshima: Gerardo Cruz, Ximena Álvarez, Isaí Espinoza, and Claudia Núñez. The Governor expressed admiration and encouragement, highlighting their role as cultural ambassadors.
Guanajuato art and landscape exhibit opens in Hiroshima
A highlight of the visit was the inauguration of the exhibit “The Landscape and Tradition of Guanajuato” at the Hiroshima Cultural Center. The show features 40 works by renowned artists such as Diego Rivera, José Chávez Morado, Norma Carmona, and Feliciano Peña, and will remain open until May 9.
A shared commitment to Peace and Development
The Governor visited the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, acknowledging the importance of its historical legacy and universal message. She later attended an official dinner hosted by Governor Yuzaki and Takashi Nakamoto, President of the Prefectural Assembly and of the Hiroshima–Guanajuato Friendship Association.
It is worth noting that over 2,100 Japanese citizens currently reside in Guanajuato, and since 2006, 145 Japanese companies have invested over 8.98 billion dollars in the state, generating more than 48,000 jobs. The Japanese Consulate in León, established in 2016, has played a vital role in deepening this strategic partnership.
Guanajuato and Hiroshima: united by history, connected by the future
This visit reaffirms Guanajuato’s international focus and its commitment to shared development through innovation, culture, and mutual respect. The strong bond with Hiroshima stands as a successful example of regional collaboration rooted in peace, talent, and global prosperity.
