Governor Green’s Japan Visit Strengthens Hawai‘i’s Global Partnerships
Governor Josh Green of Hawai‘i has wrapped up a significant weeklong visit to Japan, where he and First Lady Jaime Kanani Green led a delegation through key cities including Tokyo, Osaka, and Okinawa. The mission was designed to fortify alliances in clean energy, business development, education, and cultural exchange.
During his time in Tokyo, Governor Green engaged with top executives from NEC Corporation, JERA Co. Inc., and the Yomiuri Shimbun Group. These discussions aimed to uncover collaborative opportunities in technology, energy, and tourism sectors. The governor also attended Expo 2025 Osaka, where Hawai‘i was honored at an event at the United States Pavilion, hosted by Ambassador William E. Grayson. The occasion celebrated the 250th anniversary of the United States and underscored the long-standing friendship between Japan and the U.S. Among the attendees were key officials from Japan, France, and the United States, including U.S. Ambassador to Japan George Glass.
A notable outcome of the visit was the signing of a Strategic Partnering Agreement between Governor Green and JERA Co., Inc. on October 6. This agreement lays the groundwork for collaborative efforts between JERA and Hawai‘i to meet the state’s decarbonization targets. These initiatives are in line with the recommendations from the Alternative Fuels, Repowering and Energy Transition study released by the Hawai‘i State Energy Office in January 2025.
JERA, renowned as Japan’s largest power producer and a major player globally, has pledged to eradicate carbon dioxide emissions from its operations by 2050. The company is known for its expertise in energy infrastructure and strategic investments, and it is increasingly focusing on developing low- and zero-carbon energy solutions, aligning with Hawai‘i’s strategy to diversify its energy resources.
In Okinawa, the governor renewed a Five-Year Memorandum of Cooperation on Clean Energy with Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki. This agreement, which extends a partnership that began in 2010, focuses on advancing renewable energy, clean transportation, and grid innovation among island communities.
“Hawai‘i and Okinawa share more than history, we share purpose,” Governor Green remarked. “Together, we’re proving that island communities can lead the world in clean energy and resilience, while honoring the cultural ties that bind us.”
The visit also commemorated two significant anniversaries: the 40th anniversary of the Hawai‘i–Okinawa sister-state relationship and the 125th anniversary of Okinawan immigration to Hawai‘i. These historical connections continue to enrich the social, cultural, and economic landscapes of both communities, emphasizing shared traditions of aloha, family, and perseverance.
Accompanying Governor Green were state legislators and business leaders, including Senate President Ronald Kouchi, Vice Speaker Linda Ichiyama, Senators Glenn Wakai, Chris Lee, and Michelle Kidani, Representatives Gregg Takayama, Dee Morikawa, and Kyle Yamashita, as well as Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism Director James Kunane Tokioka and Hawai‘i State Energy Office Director Mark Glick.
“Japan remains one of Hawai‘i’s most important partners — in energy, commerce, education and people-to-people exchange,” stated Governor Green. “This mission reaffirms our shared commitment to innovation, sustainability and friendship that extends far beyond the Pacific.”
Following his engagements in Japan, Governor Green is set to return to Honolulu on October 15, making a stop in San Francisco to speak at the Salesforce Dreamforce Conference.
Photos from the visit, courtesy of the Office of the Governor, can be viewed here.
Original Story at governor.hawaii.gov