Business Development and Support Division

 DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND TOURISM 

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AND SUPPORT DIVISION 

JOSH GREEN, M.D.
GOVERNOR 

JAMES KUNANE TOKIOKA
DIRECTOR 

DENNIS T. LING
ADMINISTRATOR 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 19, 2023

 INAUGURAL HAWAI‘I-JAPAN SISTER STATE AND SISTER CITY SUMMIT
COMING TO HONOLULU, HAWAI‘I JULY 27-28, 2023 

HONOLULU – The State of Hawai‘i Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT) in partnership with the Japan-America Society of Hawai‘i (JASH), is convening the first Hawai‘i-Japan Sister State and Sister City Summit on July 27 and 28, 2023, at the Hilton Hawaiian Village in Honolulu, Hawai‘i. Governor Josh Green, M.D. and Hawai‘i’s mayors will welcome governors and mayors of the six prefectures and sixteen cities and towns from Japan with sister relationships. 

“Hawai‘i and Japan have a long narrative of cultural, social, economic, and historical ties,” said Governor Green. “Our shared experiences have made us not only the closest of friends but partners in many respects. This summit brings us together to celebrate our relationships, while focusing more on what we can do together in the future.” 

“The summit will invigorate the sister relationships between Hawai‘i and Japan. Sister relationships can and should play a significant and strategic role in maximizing economic, cultural, and educational opportunities,” said DBEDT Director James Kunane Tokioka. 

Corporate sponsors as well as general attendees from the public are welcome to register to be part of this momentous event. 

With the theme “The Ties that Bind,” the summit seeks to refresh and strengthen ties that were paused by the COVID-19 pandemic. It provides a venue for Hawai‘i and Japan to explore common issues which will serve as starting points for future exchanges. Leaders from Hawai‘i and Japan in the fields of sustainable energy, business and economic development, sustainable tourism, and education, will discuss the latest developments and possibilities for future collaboration. The summit will also feature a marketplace with up to 35 booths displaying products, services and cultural highlights from both Japan and Hawai‘i. 

Senior government officials and key business, cultural, educational, and civic leaders from Hawai‘i and Japan are encouraged to attend. Delegates will connect, strengthen relationships, and create new initiatives to boost trade, direct investment, collaboration, and goodwill between Hawai‘i and Japan. 

For more information, please visit the summit website at: https://www.jashawaii.org/summit 

About the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT) 

DBEDT is Hawai‘i’s resource center for economic and statistical data, business development opportunities, energy and conservation information, and foreign trade advantages. DBEDT’s mission is to achieve a Hawai‘i economy that embraces innovation and is globally competitive, dynamic and productive, providing opportunities for all Hawai‘i’s citizens. Through its attached agencies, the department fosters planned community development, creates affordable workforce housing units in high-quality living environments, and promotes innovation-sector job growth. 

About the Business Development and Support Division (BDSD) 

The Business Development and Support Division of DBEDT promotes industry development and economic diversification by supporting existing and emerging industries in Hawai‘i and by attracting new investment and businesses to the state. Learn more at: https://invest.hawaii.gov/. 

About the Japan America Society of Hawai‘i (JASH) 

JASH is one of Hawai‘i’s oldest and most established organizations which fosters economic, educational and cultural activities between Hawai‘i and Japan. JASH is a member of the National Association of Japan-America Societies, consisting of 38 independent Japan-America societies located around the United States and Canada. JASH is uniquely positioned to serve as the statewide convener to coordinate activities for Japan-Hawai‘i economic reopening, recovery and resiliency planning activities. 

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Media Contacts: 

Laci Goshi 
Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism 
(808) 587-9006 
lacianne.a.goshi@hawaii.gov 

Dennis Ling 
Business Development & Support Division Administrator 
Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism 
dennis.t.ling@hawaii.gov 

Reyna Kaneko 
President 
Japan-America Society of Hawai‘i
(808) 524-4450
rkaneko@jashawaii.org 

Sheri Kajiwara 
Summit Coordinator 
(808) 265-1051 
sherikajiwara@msn.com