AUSTIN – Governor Greg Abbott today met with Japanese Ambassador Shinsuke Sugiyama at the Texas Governor’s Mansion in Austin. The two leaders engaged in a productive discussion regarding the strong economic and cultural ties between Texas and Japan. A readout of the meeting can be found below.
Governor Abbott began the meeting by welcoming the Ambassador to Texas and expressing his hope to one day travel to Japan. The two leaders then discussed at length the importance of international trade between Japan and Texas and the significant role it has on encouraging economic growth. Governor Abbott also emphasized the added value of Japanese businesses currently operating in Texas. The Governor touted the recent grand openings of Toyota’s North American Headquarters, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, and Kubota Tractor Headquarters, which all have become major influencers in the Texas business community. The Governor and the Ambassador also spoke of the opportunity for additional Japanese investment in Texas and the importance of the cultural similarities between the Japanese and Texans. The meeting concluded with talks of the emergent energy and liquefied natural gas trade between Texas and Japan, while each committed to continued efforts supporting the rapid growth of the two economies.
