Photo: Ford, Brad
Governor Kate Brown today finished her trade mission to Asia after several days of productive meetings in Japan, with a focus on expanding Oregon’s semiconductor industry, agricultural imports, and other trade and tourism opportunities. The Governor was joined by Oregon leaders representing agriculture, tourism, higher education, apparel, technology, and manufacturing. Prior to her time in Japan, the Governor and trade delegation spent several days in South Korea.
“Oregon and Japan have a long-standing friendship and, as Japan fully reopens to trade, tourism, and business, it is critical that we rekindle and strengthen our business relationships here,” said Governor Brown. “There are incredible opportunities, particularly in our semiconductor and agriculture sectors, to attract investment, trade, and tourism from Japan.”
Japan is Oregon’s sixth largest export market, with Oregon exports to Japan totaling $1.6 billion in 2021. More than 150 Japanese companies have operations in Oregon. While in Tokyo, Governor Brown met with U.S. Ambassador Rahm Emanuel. At a foreign investment roundtable, Governor Brown discussed investment in Oregon’s semiconductor sector with representatives from Nikon, AGC Inc., Fujitsu, Fujibo Holdings, Gigaphoton, Showa Denko, Kioxia, Lasertec, the Semiconductor Equipment Association of Japan, and the Japan External Trade Association.
The Governor also met with executives from Hitachi, which opened a nanotechnology innovation center in Hillsboro in September, and with Yamato Transport, which provides transportation options for Japanese and Asian companies in the Pacific Northwest. The Governor and representatives from the University of Oregon also met with leaders from Waseda University, as well as Waseda exchange students from Oregon and Japan.
In Oregon’s sister-state, the Toyama Prefecture, Governor Brown met with Toyama Governor Hachiro Nitta. With representatives from the Oregon Department of Agriculture and Business Oregon, the Governor also met with President Shotaro Tomita of Hokusei Products, which imports a number of Oregon products to Japan, including fruit purees from Oregon Fruit Products in Salem. She toured the manufacturing facilities of Nousaku Corporation and Kitamura Machinery, as well as the Toyama Industrial Technology Research and Development Center. The Governor also led a women’s leadership roundtable with the Vice Governor of Toyama, Mika Yokota, and women leaders from Oregon and Toyama. The delegation also toured the facilities of Sugino, a Toyama-based company that has partnered with the Oregon Manufacturing Innovation Center in Scappoose.
Governor Brown promoted Oregon tourism, wine, and beer with representatives from the Oregon Wine Board and Travel Oregon. She participated in a media availability at PDX Taproom, a Tokyo business that sells exclusively Oregon craft beer, with Travel Oregon CEO Todd Davidson and Japanese media to discuss tourism opportunities in Oregon. She also visited Kagurazaka Rouge, a Tokyo wine bar that sells wines from the Pacific Northwest, with Oregon Wine Board President and CEO Tom Danowski.
Source: Oregon Governor's Office