My name is Kei Sakaguchi, Japan Director for Virginia Economic Development Partnership and I’m honored to be appointed President of the American State Offices Association (ASOA) for 2024. I am committed to building on the history and achievements of ASOA to date to further enhance the mutual relationships between ASOA and related organizations in Japan and among ASOA member state offices.

Since our foundation in 1980, our mission at ASOA has been to promote investment, trade, tourism and student exchange between Japan and the United States. Today, ASOA consists of 20 American state offices and one city office. We provide a breadth of information about each member state including its business and investment climate, society and cultural heritage through various events, seminars and trade shows in collaboration with the U.S. Embassy, Keidanren, JETRO, Prefectural Governments, Chambers of Commerce and other organizations.

That the relationship between the United States and Japan is important goes without saying. The numbers bear this out: for example, Japan’s cumulative foreign direct investment (FDI) in the U.S at the end of 2022 was $775.2 billion (U.S. Dept. of Commerce). This made Japan the U.S.’s No. 1 investor for the fourth consecutive year, surpassing Canada, the U.K., Germany and France. Total employment by Japanese companies in the U.S. in 2020 totaled 931,900 (U.S. Dept. of Commerce). According to Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as of October 2022, Japanese-affiliated companies were operating at 8,673 locations across the U.S. Furthermore, cumulative U.S. FDI in Japan was close to￥9.236 trillion at the end of 2021 (BOJ/Ministry of Finance), putting it first among all countries investing in Japan.

Perhaps even more important than our close economic ties, however, is the comprehensive relationship between Japan and the U.S. across the political, cultural and social realms that has flourished since the postwar period. Many of us clearly remember the famous remarks by former U.S. Ambassador to Japan Mike Mansfield, “The U.S.-Japan relationship is the most important bilateral relationship in the world, bar none.” And, under today’s highly complicated global geopolitical environment, this relationship between like-minded nations that share many common values is becoming all the more important. We fully appreciate Ambassador Rahm Emanuel’s ongoing commitment to further enhancing our alliance.

I think we can comfortably say that close ties between Japan and individual American states have been the cornerstone of U.S.-Japan relations. Based on this recognition and understanding, I wish to see ASOA continue its longstanding contribution to maintaining and further enhancing these important ties, and as new President of this organization, I will do my best to further unite the ASOA member offices.

In this ASOA home page, you will find the information of each state office. Our member states are ready to assist with investment, trade and tourism promotion. If your company or organization is considering further business expansion or new entry into the U.S., please feel free to contact ASOA member offices. We will always be here to help and support your business.

Kei Sakaguchi (Director for Japan, Virginia Economic Development Partnership)
2024 President
American State Offices Association (ASOA)