Aguascalientes, Japan Strengthens Cooperation Ties

In an effort to strengthen bilateral cooperation ties, power investment growth and explore new opportunities for innovation and technological breakthroughs in Aguascalientes, Governor Teresa Jiménez met this week with representatives from Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, led by Parliamentary Vice Minister Arfiya Eri. 

The meeting focused on strengthening ties in foreign investment, advanced manufacturing, technical education and cultural exchange. Jiménez emphasized her administration’s commitment to positioning Aguascalientes as a reliable and attractive hub for international collaboration.

“We are working to consolidate Aguascalientes as a destination of trust and opportunity for foreign direct investment,” Jiménez said, noting the historic and strategic relationship between Mexico and Japan.

Eri highlighted Aguascalientes’ importance to Japanese companies, particularly in the automotive and manufacturing industries. “Aguascalientes has relevance for Japanese enterprises,” she said.

As part of her visit, she toured Nissan’s facilities in Aguascalientes, highlighting the automaker’s role in making the state a global automotive hub. Eri’s visit underscored the long-standing alliance between the two countries and highlighted Nissan’s role in shaping Aguascalientes as a global automotive hub.

To date, Nissan has produced more than 16 million vehicles in Mexico, positioning its plants as benchmarks for world-class manufacturing practices. From Aguascalientes, Nissan exports to more than 70 international markets across the Americas, Europe and Asia, strengthening the state’s role as a key export node.

Mexico produced 3.99 million vehicles in 2024, with the Sentra ranking among the most assembled models. For the 2025–2026 fiscal period, Nissan plans greater operational integration, increased regional content and expanded opportunities for local suppliers, bolstering the automotive supply chain.

Other participants who took part during the bilateral meetings included Takero Aoyama, Consul General of Japan in León; Ritsuko Suzuki, Director of the Mexico, Central America and Caribbean Division, MOFA; Kengo Okumura, Consul for Economic Affairs; and Esaú Garza, Head of the State’s Ministry of Economic Development, Science and Technology (Sedecyt).

Both parties expressed their intention to continue ongoing projects while opening new avenues of cooperation in strategic sectors, underscoring Aguascalientes’ role as a key link in Mexico-Japan relations.