History of Alaska’s Trade Representation in Japan

Japan is Alaska’s most important trading partner, accounting for half of all Alaska products and materials sold overseas. The critical link was recognized as early as 1965, when Alaska became the first US state to establish an office in Japan.

Alaska was the first American state to receive post-World War II Japanese investment, in pulp mills in Southeast Alaska. Since that time, Alaska has benefited from various Japanese investments in such diverse fields as seafood processing, hotels, air cargo and gold mining. At the same time, Japan has become Alaska’s most important export market.

In 1963, Alaska Kai – a Tokyo group representing Japanese business interests in Alaska – formed, and continues to this day to support expanded cultural and business relations between Japan and Alaska.

The Japanese government opened a Consulate in Anchorage in 1970. It was upgraded to a Consulate General in 1982. Over the years, this office has worked to promote trade and cultural exchanges.

In May 1996, Alaska’s representation in Japan underwent a major restructuring, as the Tourism and Trade Divisions’ separate Japan Offices were combined into one unified operation. The merger helped to streamline Alaska’s operations in Japan, reducing overhead costs and offering staff there more opportunities to work together on joint trade and tourism marketing opportunities.

In 1998 the streamlining continued, transitioning from personal services contracts with the State of Alaska to full independent contractor status.

In July 2000, the responsibility for tourism marketing in Japan transferred from the Alaska Division of Tourism to the Alaska Tourism Industry Association (ATIA), a public-private entity with a board of directors representing Alaska’s tourism industry. Both ATIA and the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute have contract representatives in Japan, and the Alaska State Representative works with those groups to promote Alaska.

The Alaska State Representative in Japan continues to offer much-needed support for Alaskans pursuing vital trade link with the important Japanese market. The office is staffed by Mr. Kojiro Abe, Japan Representative, Ms. Mariko Kuroda, Trade Specialist and Ms. Hiromi Mita, Administrative Specialist. Examples of assistance for Alaska companies include

• Matchmaking: locating overseas buyers for Alaska suppliers, and Alaska sources for potential Japanese customers.
• Leading business missions of Alaskans in Japan, and Japanese to Alaska.
• Promoting Alaska products and services at major trade and catalog shows, and assisting Alaska companies to follow up on leads generated.
• Preparing customized reports on specific market opportunities. Click here for an example.
• Helping Alaska entrepreneurs and firms identify potential investors for development projects.
• Obtaining and disseminating timely, useful economic information and market intelligence on the Japan market. For example, providing weekly updates of wholesale market prices for Alaska seafood. Click here for this week’s seafood market prices.

In 2000, Japanese companies imported $1.3 billion worth of goods from Alaska.

All these factors combine to make Japan Alaska’s number one trading partner. Even with economic difficulties in the markets and supply issues at home, Japan is Alaska’s largest market.

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