By SHINSUKE J. SUGIYAMA
This week, I am privileged to visit the Beaver State and the beautiful city of Portland. I am particularly pleased to visit the Portland Japanese Garden, which one of my predecessors - former Japanese Ambassador to the United States Nobuo Matsunaga - called "the most beautiful and authentic Japanese garden in the world outside of Japan." I am humbled to serve as an honorary member of the international advisory board of the Portland Japanese Garden. I greatly appreciate the key role that the Garden plays as a Japanese cultural center with lectures, exhibits and practical demonstrations that help build friendship among local communities, both in the United States and Japan.
The Portland Japanese Garden, celebrating its 55th anniversary this year, lists as one of its core values "mutual respect and harmony with all connected communities." I think that is actually a fitting description of Japan's relationship with Oregon, and as I've found out during visits across the country, a fitting description of the growing partnerships between Japan and people across the United States.
Earlier this year, a delegation from the Portland Japanese Garden visited Japan as part of the Kakehashi Project, a people-to-people exchange program sponsored by the Government of Japan. In Japanese, Kakehashi means "an arched bridge." The bridge of friendship between Oregon and Japan has spanned nearly 170 years, dating back to 1848, when Ranald MacDonald, from Astoria, became the first native English teacher in Japan. The first Japanese citizen to emigrate to Oregon arrived in 1880. The Japanese Consulate in Portland was established in 1900, the sixth oldest in the United States.
Today, there are 25 sister city relationships between Oregon and Japan. Portland and Sapporo have enjoyed a sister city relationship since 1959, and a sister state relationship was established between Oregon and Toyama Prefecture on Japan's main island of Honshu in 1991.
Out of this friendship, a thriving economic partnership has blossomed. Data from the U.S. Department of Commerce show that Japanese-owned firms operating in Oregon support approximately 7,000 local jobs in the Beaver State. Japan is also a major export destination for Oregon businesses, which sent nearly $2 billion worth of Oregon-produced goods and services to Japan in recent years.
What's more, The Oregonian/OregonLive recently reported that Japan is the number one source of overseas tourists for Oregon ("Where in the world do Oregon tourists come from? Here Are the Top 12 Places," May 10, 2018). Drawn to the state's natural beauty and places like the Portland Japanese Garden, more than 73,000 Japanese visitors traveled to the Beaver State in 2017. In fact, visitors from Japan contribute an estimated $120 million to Oregon's economy each year.
Oregon and Japan truly are connected communities. I am grateful to the people of Oregon that you understand and appreciate the importance of the partnership with Japan, and I am proud to be here to celebrate this ever-growing special bond of friendship.
Shinsuke J. Sugiyama is Japan's ambassador to the United States.