First ever Japan-Hawaii Economic Summit to be held in Kona

The Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT) and the US-Japan Council (USJC), a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit educational organization, announce the first ever Japan-

The Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT) and the US-Japan Council (USJC), a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit educational organization, announce the first ever Japan-Hawaii Economic Summit to be held in Kona, Hawaii from May 9 to 11, 2017.

The summit seeks to accelerate regional and international exchange with prefectures in Japan that have interests in and connections with Hawaii.


โ€œHawaii and Japan have a unique and significant relationship,โ€ said Gov. David Ige. โ€œWe continue to look for ways to develop programs and initiatives with our global partners, as we strive to achieve new models for economic development, energy cooperation, people-to-people exchanges, youth, and education.โ€

Summit attendees will discuss shared issues and opportunities spanning business, tourism and energy, and will help forge connections that will pave the way for future collaboration and trade.

โ€œThe relationship between Japan and Hawaii continues to have a tremendous impact on Hawaiiโ€™s economy,โ€ said DBEDT Director Luis P. Salaveria. โ€œThis summit provides us with a chance to bring key leaders together to explore new opportunities to grow our economy and create new jobs.โ€

โ€œJapan and Hawaii have a partnership that has been built and nurtured over generations. USJC supports strengthening ties through people-to-people relationships and public-private connections for the benefit of Japan, Hawaii and the continental United States,โ€ said Irene Hirano Inouye, President of the U.S.-Japan Council.

Governors, vice-governors and businesses from Hiroshima, Fukuoka, Okinawa, Ehime, Shizuoka, Okayama, Oita and Nagano prefectures have been invited. These include prefectures that have sister partnerships with the state of Hawaii or are part of USJCโ€™s Governorsโ€™ Circle, an initiative that promotes bilateral economic collaboration at the state-prefecture level. The Summit will also be attended by the Governor of Hawaii and other dignitaries in Hawaii, as well as assembly officials, academia and distinguished executives from the continental United States.

Hawaii is recognized as an ideal location for Japanese companies interested in pursuing global business activities. A number of success stories will be discussed at the summit. Hawaii companies interested in the Japan market will also have the opportunity to hear about trends and opportunities to help them launch their products and services in Japan.

Summit Discussion Topics:

โ€ข Business Bridges: Crossing the Pacific to Global Success
โ€ข Innovations in Education: Sparking Global Awareness
โ€ข Tourism 2.0: Strategies to Engage the Next Generation Visitor
โ€ข Governorsโ€™ Circle Panel
โ€ข Food Fortunes: Overcoming Challenges and Building Brands Overseas
โ€ข Puu Waawaa Ranch Pavilion

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Linda Hohnholz

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