Gov. Ricketts Leads Second Japan Trade Mission to Expand Trade Opportunities

For the second time in two years, Governor Pete Ricketts and key administrative officials are leading a delegation of ag and business leaders to expand trade and investment opportunities for Nebraskans in Japan.  The Governor’s 2017 international trade mission to Japan began in Tokyo today and will include visits to Shizuoka and the Kansai region later this week.  Department of Economic Development Director Courtney Dentlinger and Department of Agriculture Assistant Director Mat Habrock are helping lead the Governor’s Nebraska Delegation, which includes members of the state’s business and agricultural sectors.

This morning, the Governor and the delegation participated in the Midwest US-Japan Association (MWJA) and the Japan-Midwest US Association Conference.  MWJA is comprised of nine Midwestern states, including Nebraska, and was formed to bolster international relationships with companies with a particular interest in growing in the central United States.

“The U.S. Midwest Japan Association Conference is an outstanding opportunity for Nebraska to thank our number one direct foreign investor and for our ag and business leaders to build relationships that grow bilateral trade,” said Governor Ricketts. “Nebraskans who understand Japan’s markets and resources are in a unique position to grow business relationships with our state’s number one trading partner outside of North America.  The connections fostered here are invaluable, and we look forward to hosting the association’s 50th anniversary in Omaha next year.”

In 2016, Gov. Ricketts addressed delegates during the 48th annual conference in St. Louis and announced that Omaha will host the 2018 joint conference.  Nebraska joined MWJA shortly after the organization’s inaugural event in 1967, when members of Chicago’s Association of Commerce and Industry hosted a delegation from the Japan Committee for Economic Development.  Next year’s event in Omaha will mark the 50th anniversary of the conference.

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