The Head of the Executive Power of the Ismayilli District of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mr. Nahid Bagirov, paid an official visit to Japan at the invitation of the city of Ito, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, which has fraternal relations with the city of Ismayilli.

From 9 to 13 February 2026, the Head of the Executive Authority of the Ismayilli District of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mr. Nahid Bagirov, paid an official visit to Japan at the invitation of Ito City, Shizuoka Prefecture, which maintains sister-city relations with the city of Ismayilli.

As part of the visit, on 11–12 February, Mr. Nahid Bagirov, accompanied by the Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan to Japan, Mr. Farid Talibov, visited Ito City, where he was received by the Mayor of Ito City, Mr. Kazuya Sugimoto, with a high level of cordiality and hospitality.

During the meeting, an extensive exchange of views was held on the existing relations of friendship and cooperation between the Republic of Azerbaijan and Japan, the history of the long-standing sister-city ties established between Ismayilli District and Ito City, joint projects implemented in previous years, and opportunities to further deepen these relations in the future. In particular, prospects for expanding cooperation in the framework of interregional relations in the fields of economy, culture, education, tourism, as well as other areas of mutual interest, were discussed.

One of the key issues addressed was the resumption of the mutual student and teacher homestay and exchange programs successfully implemented between Ito City and Ismayilli District during 2014–2020. It was noted that these programs, which had been temporarily suspended during the pandemic, are of particular importance for strengthening mutual understanding among young people, promoting cultural exchange, and establishing long-term humanitarian ties.

It should be noted that cooperation between Ismayilli District and Ito City was initiated in 2009 with the establishment of the “Japanese Garden” in the Heydar Aliyev Culture and Recreation Park in Ismayilli. This initiative has since become a symbol of mutual trust and cultural affinity between the two regions. In 2013, an official document signed in Ito City went down in history as the first formal sister-city agreement between regions of Azerbaijan and Japan.