This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
As a Japanese diplomat and grandchild of a first-generation Japanese-American family, my current visit to Utah has great meaning to me. During the Second World War, my grandparents and other members of my family were interned in the Topaz relocation center in Delta.
By that time, my father had returned to Japan after graduating from an American university. My family thus experienced the war from both sides.
However, what brings me to Utah is not a pilgrimage of family history but rather a grassroots diplomacy mission called the Walk in U.S., Talk on Japan program. I have been participating in this program since last year, traveling to various parts of the United States to talk about Japan and discuss the U.S.-Japan relationship. Accompanying me in Utah are four other Japanese citizens from diverse backgrounds. We will be meeting with local residents and leaders in Utah and sharing our thoughts and experiences about the important ties between our two countries.
With its fast-growing and diversifying economy, it is clear that Utah is set to have even closer economic links with Japan. In addition to a long history of cultural and academic exchanges, we have seen an exponential growth in trade, with a 62 percent rise in exports from Utah to Japan in just five years.
Notably, Japan is the top importer of aerospace products from Utah, as well as the second largest importer of life science products. Utah also contributes largely to the global economy through exports of semiconductors and components, and many people in Japan enjoy Utah beef and walnuts. The relationship between the U.S. and Japan is stronger than ever, and the economic ties between Utah and Japan continue to grow.
The recent slowdown of the global economy has further underlined the importance of cooperation between our two countries as economic leaders. Japan, the world's second largest advanced economy, is now undergoing a dramatic transformation in order to stay strong and prosperous despite a rapidly aging society.
Part of this dramatic transformation is a fundamental change in the way that Japanese companies do business. With Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's economic revitalization program dubbed "Abenomics," now entering its second stage, we will see new initiatives to maintain the current size of Japan's population as well as increase the number of women participating in the workforce. Structural reforms to loosen regulations and provide for greater accountability of Japanese companies are continuing to have a positive impact on Japan's economy. We are also shaking up our highly regulated farming sector, offering new opportunities for U.S. agricultural products in Japan through the TPP while giving our younger farmers more room to innovate and sell to the world.
With these reforms, we are beginning to see a new entrepreneurial spirit and greater investment in the future. This would build on our already strong presence in the United States, which can be seen through the direct investments that Japanese companies make in the U.S., which accounts for over $344 billion and over 700,000 American jobs.
Prime Minister Abe has been encouraging Japanese companies to better compete in global markets in order to promote growth. Since he has taken office, foreign investment by Japanese companies in the United States has increased by 80 percent and remains strong.
Our delegation to Utah is eager to speak with our American friends on variety of subjects, including diversity, international education, and security issues. I hope that we will be able to meet and engage with many people in Utah as we build an even stronger relationship together.
As part of our trip, our delegation will be visiting the Topaz Relocation Center Museum in Delta, Utah. I want to see with my own eyes the place that my grandmother told me so much about when I was a small child. I think that Topaz stands as a monument to how far our two countries have come in the 70 years since the end of the war. I have observed from up close the evolution of the U.S.-Japan relationship for many years and firmly believe that even better times are ahead.
Ken Shimanouchi formerly served as Japan's Consul General in Miami and also as Japanese ambassador to Spain and Brazil.