Sharon Tomiko Santos
By Tatsuro Hoshina/The North American Post
The Hyogo Business and Cultural Center and Kobe Trade Information Office merged their office in April while introducing new directors to both divisions, Hideaki Kawachi and Tetsuya Sometani.
“It accelerated our understanding of each other and strengthened our coordination,” said Kawachi of HBCC.
The new office is located in Safeco Plaza in downtown Seattle.
With many aerospace companies including Mitsubishi Heavy Industry, Kawasaki Heavy Industry and Shinmeiwa Industry, Hyogo prefecture has been a strong business partner with Washington State.
Kobe and Seattle also signed a LOI for technical cooperation to help accelerate Japan’s small business and aerospace market.
In addition to the aerospace industry, Hyogo and Kobe are seeking to develop their pharmaceutical industry and IT venture businesses. While Kobe has over 300 venture companies, both directors said that Washington’s venture support system will benefit Kobe to raise more opportunities for future ventures.
Both cities and states have also been active in cultural exchange. Tatsuno City in Hyogo and Covington signed a base agreement for their future sister city relationship, which is expected to begin this fall.
“Our businesses are based on human relationships,” Kawachi said.
Washington state, Hyogo prefecture and Kobe also have flourishing cultural exchanges.
The Tatsuno and Covington agreement will become the twelfth sister city relationship between Hyoto and Washington since 1957 by Seattle and Kobe.
As they approach their 60th anniversary in 2017, the Kobe and Hyogo offices are planning to expand their culture and business exchange programs.
“We want to meet people from every field in Washington to build a foundation of culture and business exchange,” Sometani said.