Aloha,

Yesterday Governor Josh Green returned from a week long trip to Japan to sign a sister-state agreement and engage in cross-cultural exchanges.
 
The mission was intended to promote mutual trade and investment initiatives and encourage travel from Japan to Hawaii, and the sister-state relationship will further strengthen economic, cultural, and educational partnerships.

Governor Green also met with U.S. ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel on the trip, and with officials from Fukuoka, Ehime, and Hiroshima prefectures.

The governor led a delegation of Hawaii business leaders at the opening of the Tokyo International Gift Show — where he was a featured speaker, and which drew approximately 3,000 exhibitors and more than 230,000 visitors.

“This event has provided a valuable platform for businesses in Hawaii to showcase their unique products to a global audience, leading to increased market presence and sales opportunities,” Governor Green said. “It has played a significant role in boosting Hawaii’s export industry and contributing to the growth of our economy.”

The Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism hosted a Hawaii Pavilion at the event, with more than 45 companies marketing products from our state — which in recent years, from 2012 to 2023, has resulted in more than $72 million in actual and projected sales.

Missions like this create stronger ties with Japan, greater cultural understanding, and opportunities to promote trade, investment, and travel between Japan and Hawaii — as well as opportunities to discuss geo-political issues facing Hawaii and our Pacific neighbors.

If you support Josh’s efforts to strengthen Hawaii’s economy and build relationships with important international partners, please chip in a small donation today.

Thank you for supporting Josh and being a part of Team Green.

Mahalo,

Team Green