Institutional visit by FC Barcelona as part of Catalonia - Kyoto collaboration

Institutional activity on Monday in Japan. FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta, treasurer Ferran Olivé and board members Miquel Camps, Xavier Puig, Àngel Riudalbàs, Joan Solé, Joan Soler, Sisco Pujol, plus Sports Commission member Enric Masip, all travelled to Kyoto to attend an official reception with the Takatoshi Nishiwaki, the Governor of the Prefecture of Kyoto – the region with a collaboration agreement with Catalonia. The Regional Government of Catalonia signed a strategic agreement with the Government of Kyoto on 29 April with the aim of driving collaboration between both regions.

The Catalonian Regional Government representative for Japan, Mònica Castellà, was also present for the event that took place at the Kyoto Prefectural Government Office, around 80 kilometres from Kobe, where the first leg of the Blaugrana Tour Asia Edition 2025 by Philips Ambilight TV for men's football first team is taking place.

Ties to Kyoto

In his speech, president Joan Laporta extolled the ties between Catalonia and Kyoto, stating "We are aware that ties between Kyoto and the Regional Government of Catalonia have recently been strengthened through the agreement to promote tourism and technological innovation. As a well-known Catalan institution worldwide, FC Barcelona hails this relationship between Kyoto and Catalonia, and we have made ourselves available to both governments in order to strengthen those ties”.

Joan Laporta wanted to highlight the great welcome they have received in Japan. "Kyoto is an outstanding city. There is a cultural legacy that inspires the world and it is a great honour for us all to be in such a historic city. We really appreciate the welcome and hospitality towards us", he explained.

The Governor of Kyoto, Takatoshi Nishiwaki, also expressed his appreciation for the institutional visit by FC Barcelona, stating “I want to really thank Barça and the representative from the Regional Government of Catalonia. There is a connection between smart cities in Kyoto and Catalonia, and a memorandum of understanding for culture and language to strengthen our ties was put in place some months ago”.

The event drew to a close with the traditional exchange of gifts, ending with the Governor of Kyoto wearing the Barça jersey, as can be seen in the group photo.

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