“It was an honor to meet with Secretary Hayashi and we sincerely appreciate the warm welcome that our delegation has received throughout the course of our time in Japan,” said Gov. Moore. “Our choice to come to Japan for our first trade mission was very intentional. Maryland and Japan have a long history of friendship and collaboration, with common strengths and a common vision for innovative industry sectors. I look forward to building on that partnership and using the latest innovations to spur mutual economic growth in the years to come.”
Prior to meeting with Secretary Hayashi, the governor met with leadership from the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry, which serves as the chief economic development body for Japan. The ministry develops policies for Japan’s overall economic strategy by managing international trade relations; supporting Japan’s industrial sectors, including high-tech and manufacturing industries; overseeing energy security and transition policies; and promoting growth for small and medium-sized enterprises.
In the afternoon, Governor Moore and the Maryland delegation visited the Port of Yokohama—one of Japan’s largest container ports and an important global trade asset linking Japan to North America and Europe—for a discussion and walking tour with leaders from the City of Yokohama and Wallenius Wilhelmsen. Wallenius Wilhelmsen is a crucial partner for the State of Maryland with a long-term presence at the Maryland Port Administration’s Dundalk Marine Terminal, and as the largest roll-on/roll-off ocean carrier in the world, is responsible for driving a significant amount of the Port of Baltimore’s autos and construction equipment imports.
The governor and delegation then traveled to meet Governor Yuji Kuroiwa of the Kanagawa Prefecture, to sign a renewed memorandum of understanding between Maryland and Kanagawa focused on mutual economic growth opportunities. The agreement affirms each region’s commitment to supporting economic exchange in sciences, biotechnology, biohealth, medical technology, and medical equipment, as well as cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, quantum computing, aerospace technology and research, robotics, and digital and emerging technologies.
Kanagawa Science Park, a major business incubator, is also a partner in Maryland Commerce’s
Global Gateway Program, which helps international companies explore and gain entry into the U.S. market through Maryland.
During the meeting, Governor Moore was pleased to present Governor Kuroiwa with a jersey signed by Tomoyuki Sugano, who hails from Kanagawa Prefecture, on behalf of the Baltimore Orioles.
To end the day, Governor Moore delivered remarks at a seminar aimed at attracting new investment, particularly in the life sciences sector, from Kanagawa-based companies into Maryland. The seminar also featured presentations from REPROCELL, Inc. Director and Chief Operational Officer Daisuke Usui and Shimadzu Corporation Global Sales Strategy Department Sale and Marketing Division General Manager Yasuo Miyauchi on doing business in Maryland.
REPROCELL, Inc. is a biotech company that focuses on the development of stem cell-based drug development support technologies and medicines in relation to ES/iPS cells. Through the development of new technologies, the company aims to become a global partner in the life sciences industry and provide assistance with biomarker research, precision medicine, drug discovery, and regenerative medicine. REPROCELL, Inc has operations in Beltsville, Maryland.
Headquartered in Kyoto, Japan, Shimadzu Corporation was founded almost 150 years ago and is involved in various sectors from the selling of analytical and measuring instruments to medical systems to industrial machinery. 2025 marks the 50th anniversary of Shimadzu in Maryland as its North America headquarters, located in Columbia, Maryland.