Amid the global situation there is a historic attraction for Guanajuato, Japanese companies will invest $105.8 million, creating 513 new jobs Than
Amid the global situation there is a historic attraction for Guanajuato, Japanese companies will invest $105.8 million, creating 513 new jobs
Thank you for receiving us, I close this working tour with happiness: Libia
Tokyo, Japan/Gto News
For the first time in the history of Guanajuato, a delegation represented solely by women, led by the Governor of the People, Libia Dennise Garcia Munoz Ledo, traveled to Japan in search of better opportunities for the people of Guanajuato, managing a historic investment of more than $105.8 million that will translate into 513 direct jobs.
“I am very pleased with what we achieved on this first work tour. Our commitment is to reaffirm what we want: more jobs, more opportunities for our people, and we will only achieve that if we strengthen our collaborative ties with our main trading partner, Japan,” said the State Governor.
With a clear agenda, strategic objectives, and concrete results, the Governor made her first international work tour to Japan, positioning the State as a global leader in investment, culture, education, tourism, and international cooperation. This visit marks the beginning of a new phase of structured collaboration by Guanajuato and its main partner in Asia.
The tour, held from May 2 to 9, included meetings with government officials, business chambers, universities, cultural foundations, tourism companies, and strategic stakeholders in cities such as Tokyo, Hiroshima, Nagoya, Osaka, Kasugai, and Aichi Prefecture.
Results by strategic axis:
ECONOMY: Shielding against global uncertainty
Mazda, Honda, and Toyota automakers confirmed their presence and continued operations in Guanajuato, guaranteeing jobs for the people of Guanajuato.
Four new Japanese investments totaling more than $100 million were finalized, which will generate 513 direct jobs:
- Nagase Atecs: $11 million – 130 jobs
- Senyo: $20 million – 70 jobs
- SK Tech (Sankyo): $19.8 million – 80 jobs
- NHK Spring: $55 million – 233 jobs
Japanese investment isn’t just about numbers; it’s accompanied by innovation in production chains, specialized technical training, and high-quality processes that benefit the local industry, allowing producers to become qualified suppliers to the international industry.
The head of the Ministry of Economy, Cristina Villasenor Aguilar, explained that this new foreign investment represents a positive impact on the State economy, with more than 110 million pesos in annual salaries and an economic impact exceeding 554 million pesos over five years.
Villasenor Aguilar’s proposals include the creation of the Japan-Mexico Microcredentials Platform, whose main objective is to develop short specialized training courses co-designed with Japanese companies to strengthen the technical skills required in both markets; as well as the Hiroshima-Guanajuato Supplier Day, which aims to integrate global value chains by identifying reliable local suppliers.
EDUCATION AND YOUNG TALENT: Exchanges for curricular training
The Guanajuato delegation paved the way of a future for young people by organizing education and cultural exchanges for talented people from Guanajuato. They also advanced agreements for professional internships and technical training in Japanese companies.
The People’s Government is also planning a scholarship and education exchange program in key sectors.
CULTURE: Diplomacy from the roots
Just as Japanese citizens have adopted Guanajuato as a second home, Guanajuatense residents have earned their place in the Asian country. At the recent Hiroshima Flower Festival, Guanajuato was the guest of honor, and at a booth that served as a window into our culture, Japanese visitors were able to experience and get a taste of Guanajuato’s magic.
As part of the Flower Festival, the exhibition “The Landscape and Tradition of Guanajuato” was also inaugurated, featuring works by Guanajuato and Japanese artists.
As part of the effort to promote cultural exchange, the head of the Secretary of Culture, Lizeth Galvan Cortes, proposed the launch of the “11,500 km Guanajuato–Hiroshima” platform to promote cultural exchanges, artist residencies, and museum collaboration.
Galvan also held a key meeting with the Japan Foundation to promote cultural exchange, as well as meetings with academic institutions, artistic companies such as the Tokyo Ballet, and representatives of the Mexican community in Japan.
As part of the work tour in Japan, Guanajuato was confirmed as the first State invited to the Tokyo and Hiroshima Creative Industries Festival, and negotiations have begun for the Tokyo Ballet to perform in Mexico for the first time in 2027.
TOURISM: High-level positioning
Led by the State Governor and the Secretary of Tourism and Identity, Guadalupe Robles Leon, the Guanajuato delegation held meetings with key players in the tourism sector, such as JETRO, JATA, and OTOA, as well as with tour operators and Aeromexico, to strengthen air connectivity and create new tourism products.
Japan recently rose to fourth place as a source of tourists to Guanajuato. Guanajuato is not only promoting itself as a destination: it is positioning itself as an authentic, cultural, and high-value experience.
DIPLOMACY AND VISION FOR THE FUTURE
Japanese and Guanajuatense authorities outlined a bilateral roadmap that lays the foundation for comprehensive cooperation on five fronts:
- 1. Attracting investment and industrial supply
- 2. Education and technological innovation
- 3. Cultural and sustainable tourism
- 4. Development of smart cities
- 5. Cultural diplomacy and international relations
Since 2007, Guanajuato has consolidated its leadership as a destination for Japanese investment in Mexico, accumulating $8.9 billion, 145 projects, and creating more than 48,000 jobs. This alliance is strengthened with new ties in key sectors such as renewable energy, technology, and agrobusiness, projecting Guanajuato as a competitive, sustainable, and innovative region.
The State Government pledged to continue strengthening its international relations with a strategic vision, always seeking to transform the exchange of knowledge and alliances into better living conditions for Guanajuatenses.
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