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Former Japanese ambassador Ken Shimanouchi wasn't in Utah on a trade mission.
He wasn't here to talk with individual companies about establishing or extending business relationships with his homeland. But Shimanouchi's mission to the Beehive State was all about promoting the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement President Barack Obama is trying to push through Congress.
"It's good for everybody, a win-win for all. It will boost trade and economic output in all its member states," Shimanouchi said Friday before traveling to Brigham Young University, then meeting with the Utah chapter of the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL).
At one time Japan's ambassador to Brazil and Spain, Shimanouchi is one of numerous emissaries sent out by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe as part of "Walk in U.S., Talk on Japan," a people-to-people exchange to foster amicable contacts between the United States and Japan.
"I like nice places. Utah is at the top of the list," he joked, turning serious to note that on this trip, "I try to underscore the importance of the U.S.-Japanese relationship," especially in light of China's growing power and the frequently mercurial behavior of the North Koreans.
In both the United States and Japan, Shimanouchi said, the trade agreement will be crucial to protecting intellectual-property rights, adding "many emerging countries don't have a good record on that."
One critical part of the pact is its establishment of rule-making procedures — new to trade agreements — that will be helpful in requiring other trade pacts in the works to include performance standards for signatory nations.
He was referring to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, a proposed free-trade agreement between 10 southeastern Asian nations, Australia, China, India, Japan, South Korea and New Zealand, and a trilateral pact being negotiated by China, South Korea and Japan.
"Since we are a part to the Trans-Pacific Partnership, we can say we won't settle for anything less than what's in that agreement," Shimanouchi said. "It's important to get our Asian neighbors to accept high standards" for worker safety, environmental protection and other issues.
He also wants to make sure Utahns are mindful of Japan in their business dealings, noting that Utah exported products worth $552 million to Japan last year, 5 percent of the state's export total. That represented a 61 percent increase since 2009.
In addition, 79 Japanese companies have affiliates in Utah, which imports $145 million in goods from Japan.
"There are many promising areas in which firms here can work with us," Shimanouchi said, citing the medical, aerospace, composites and recreation industries. "It's important for the two technological leaders of the world to work together to stay ahead of everybody else."