South Raleigh News

North Carolina is gearing up to welcome Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and a delegation of dignitaries and media members for a historic state visit. Governor Roy Cooper expressed his excitement, stating, “We are honored and excited for the opportunity to host Prime Minister Kishida and Mrs. Kishida, and we welcome them and their delegation to our beautiful state.”

The visit, scheduled for April 12th, will include a State luncheon at the Executive Mansion and various events across the state. Governor Cooper highlighted the significance of this visit, emphasizing the strong economic, cultural, and academic relationships between North Carolina and Japan. He mentioned, “This historic trip will strengthen the already thriving economic, cultural and academic relationships between North Carolina and Japan."

Governor Cooper's efforts to foster ties with Japan have been fruitful, with Japan being the largest source of foreign direct investment in North Carolina. His dedication to building lasting relationships with Japanese business leaders has led to the recruitment of good-paying jobs in industries such as aerospace, electric vehicles, and biotechnology.

The upcoming visit follows Governor Cooper's visit to Tokyo in 2023 for the Southeast US/Japan Economic Partnership Conference. The Governor's proactive engagement with Japanese leaders has been instrumental in boosting North Carolina's economy.

The State visit to North Carolina by Prime Minister Kishida will mark a historic occasion, underscoring the strong bond between the state and Japan. Stay tuned for more information on the events with the Japanese delegation and media coverage opportunities.