BANGKOK, THAILAND – As societies across Asia confront rapid population ageing, local governments are increasingly looking beyond borders for shared solutions. On 27 January 2026, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is executed to deepen cooperation on ageing policies and the development of caregiving personnel. The MoU was signed by Ms. Yasuko Arase, Deputy Mayor of Fukuoka City; Prof. Dr. Takeo Ogawa, President of the Fukuoka Council for Designing Society in Aging Asia; Mr. Kitti Kiatmontree, Deputy Chief Executive of the Rayong Provincial Administrative Organization; and Mr. Thawil Photibuathong, Mayor of Map Ta Phut City Municipality, with Dr. Somsak Akksilp, Executive Director of the ASEAN Centre for Active Ageing and Innovation (ACAI), participating as a Witness.
The partnership brings together Fukuoka City and the Fukuoka Council for Designing Society in Aging Asia with the Rayong Provincial Administrative Organization and Map Ta Phut City Municipality. While Fukuoka faces an urgent need to secure elderly-care workers, Thailand is preparing for a sharp demographic shift and expanding its focus on active ageing, caregiver training, and elderly welfare.
Under this agreement, the parties will collaborate on promoting innovative ageing initiatives, including the Fukuoka 100 Project, strengthening recruitment and training systems for care personnel, and facilitating exchanges to address shared challenges. Specific activities will be developed through ongoing consultation.
Going forward, ACAI is expected to serve as a bridge between the Japanese and Thai partners, fostering mutual understanding, strengthening friendly relations, and supporting the long-term development of this cross-border collaboration. Together, this partnership reflects a shared commitment to learning, cooperation, and practical action in building inclusive and sustainable ageing societies.