Bima Explores Collaboration with Ichinoseki Japan, Aims at Waste Management

BIMA, GARISBUMI.com – The Bima City Government, West Nusa Tenggara, is exploring waste management cooperation with Ichinoseki City, Japan. Partnership opportunities include knowledge exchange about waste sorting, reduction and recycling, as well as community education.

Environmental management was one of the areas of cooperation discussed during the visit of the Mayor of Ichinoseki Yoshihito Sato to the Maja Labo Dahu Hall, Bima City, Monday (5/10/2026).

The Japanese delegation was welcomed by the Mayor of Bima H. A. Rahman and Deputy Mayor of Bima Feri Sofiyan along with local government officials. Ichinoseki's group was also joined by Chairman of the Legislative Body Nobuyuki Katsuura, Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Kunihiro Koiwa, as well as corporate representatives.

In his speech, Rahman said that it was hoped that relations between the two cities would develop into a sustainable partnership. Apart from the environment and waste management, the assessment includes education, employment, MSMEs, trade, investment, agriculture, fisheries and food processing.

Opportunities to Learn Waste Sorting and Recycling

In the environmental sector, Bima City sees an opportunity to learn from Ichinoseki and Japan's experience in managing waste. Knowledge exchange is directed at source segregation, waste reduction, recycling and public education.

This area is still part of the partnership exploration. The Bima City Government's statement has not detailed the form of the program, implementation schedule, or specific waste management agreement between the two cities.

Meanwhile, economic cooperation is directed at strengthening MSMEs, meetings between business actors or business matching, as well as expanding access to trade and investment.

The two cities are also exploring knowledge exchange on agriculture, fisheries, post-harvest technology, packaging and market access.

Targeting 100 Bima Residents to Work in Japan

In the employment sector, the Bima City Government supports the training of prospective workers through the Nichini Kaigo School. The local government is targeting at least 100 Bima City residents to be sent to work in Japan every year.

Educational cooperation is directed at student, student and teacher exchanges.

Ichinoseki Mayor Yoshihito Sato appreciated the welcome from the government and the people of Bima City. He considered openness and a spirit of friendship to be important assets to strengthen relations between the two cities.

Sato also positively welcomed opportunities for cross-sector collaboration. The presence of representatives of Ichinoseki corporations and business entities is expected to help strengthen discussions on economic and investment partnerships.

The Bima City Government hopes that this assessment will continue to become a concrete program that will provide benefits to the people of both cities.