Hobbs heads to Japan to boost trade and business ties

Steve Hobbs

Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs is taking a trade mission to Japan this month to strengthen business ties and explore new opportunities for the state’s industries. The delegation will be in Tokyo from May 16 to May 27.

Japan is Washington’s third-largest trading partner and the largest foreign investor in the U.S., with a trade relationship worth $11 billion and supporting nearly 25,000 Washington jobs.

Hobbs said the trip will focus on key industries like aerospace, agriculture, and shellfish. He plans to meet with major Japanese companies including Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Subaru Corporation, Boeing Japan, and Microsoft Japan. He will also connect with Japan’s tabletop gaming industry.

“As a champion for Washington businesses, and the U.S.-Japan trade relationship, I want to open doors and make connections for local industry leaders in markets of opportunity,” Hobbs said. “When our homegrown businesses succeed, our regional economy benefits—and that’s good for everyone in Washington.”

The trip isn’t all business. Representatives from the Seattle Seahawks, including retired defensive end Cliff Avril, will meet Japanese fans as part of the team’s Global 12s Everywhere program. Washington’s tabletop game makers will also showcase their creations at the Tokyo Game Market, the largest exhibition of its kind in Asia.

State Rep. Sharon Tomiko Santos said she’s excited to represent both the Nikkei community and the state on the mission. “Washington relies on strong trade relationships, and Japan has been a partner for decades. Nearly 25,000 jobs in our state depend on this two-way trade, which is worth over $11 billion,” she said.

Other officials joining Hobbs include State Rep. Chris Corry, members of the Washington Department of Commerce, Boeing, Impact Washington, and leaders from the state’s gaming and economic development sectors.

The mission reflects Washington’s push to boost international trade, create jobs, and foster innovation. Kelley Sowards, president of Impact Washington, said the trip will help advance collaboration across aerospace and manufacturing. “Japan is a vital partner in the global aerospace supply chain. This mission is about strengthening relationships and supporting innovation,” she said.