San Diego Mayor Leads Trade Mission to Japan and Marks 70 Years of Yokohama Partnership

-Editorial 

San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria traveled to Japan as part of a regional trade mission aimed at strengthening economic ties and marking the 70th anniversary of San Diego’s sister-city relationship with Yokohama.

Gloria traveled with Rep. Scott Peters and more than 40 business, civic and academic representatives as part of a delegation organized by World Trade Center San Diego, the international division of the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation.

The mission focused on developing business and investment opportunities in industries including life sciences, semiconductors and artificial intelligence, defense and maritime technology, fusion energy and urban development.

“For 70 years, San Diego and Yokohama have built a friendship that has brought our communities closer together, and now we have an opportunity to build on that foundation for the future,” Gloria said in a statement.

During the trip, members of the delegation met with Japanese government officials, business representatives and academic leaders to discuss potential investment and collaboration.

The delegation also promoted the San Diego region to Japanese companies, highlighting its research institutions, workforce and technology sectors, as well as its connections to the broader binational economy with Tijuana.

As part of the mission, Gloria participated in an Invest in San Diego reception for prospective investors and held discussions related to life sciences, technology, maritime industries and urban development.

Gloria also visited the U.S. naval base at Yokosuka, where he met with the commander of U.S. Naval Forces Japan. According to the mayor’s office, the discussions included economic and national security ties between the San Diego region and the Indo-Pacific.

The trip also commemorated seven decades of relations between San Diego and Yokohama. Gloria addressed the Yokohama City Council and met with city leaders as the two cities reaffirmed plans to continue economic, educational, cultural and civic cooperation.

San Diego and Yokohama established their sister-city relationship 70 years ago, making it one of San Diego’s longest-running international municipal partnerships.

Gloria’s itinerary also included meetings and events in Tokyo and Osaka focused on investment, economic development and urban revitalization. He also met with government and business representatives during the visit.

The mayor visited Hiroshima, where his itinerary included meetings with local officials and a visit to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Museum.

Gloria left San Diego on Sept. 5 as part of the international visit. The World Trade Center San Diego trade mission included activities through Sept. 11.

According to the mayor’s office, Gloria’s travel expenses for the trade mission were paid by the San Diego Leadership Fund, a nonprofit organization supporting the delegation. The mayor’s office said no money from the city’s General Fund was used for his travel.

The trade mission was organized by World Trade Center San Diego with support from the U.S. Embassy in Japan.