Prime Minister Kishida Visits North Carolina, Strengthening Ties with the State
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida of Japan visited North Carolina on April 12th, 2023, as part of his official U.S. visit. This marked a historic first for a foreign head of state to visit the governor's mansion in Raleigh. During his visit, Kishida met with Governor Roy Cooper, toured the Honda Aircraft facility in Greensboro, and visited the construction site of a Toyota battery plant.
Kishida's visit highlighted the strong economic and cultural ties between Japan and North Carolina. Japan is the state's largest source of foreign direct investment, with over 200 Japanese companies employing over 30,000 people. The Prime Minister also met with students at North Carolina State University, including those studying Japanese, and visited the university's Japan Center.
Kishida's visit to North Carolina demonstrated the importance of the Japan-U.S. partnership beyond Washington D.C. It also signaled the potential for further collaboration and cultural exchange between the two countries.
Kishida and Cooper lunched at the governor's mansion, where they discussed the strong ties between Japan and North Carolina.
Kishida visited the Honda Aircraft facility and the Toyota battery plant construction site, both of which are major investments by Japanese companies in the state.
Kishida's wife, Yuko, and North Carolina first lady Kristin Cooper shared a traditional Japanese tea at Sarah P. Duke Gardens in Durham.
This visit by Prime Minister Kishida further strengthens the already close relationship between Japan and North Carolina. It is a positive sign for the future of collaboration and cultural exchange between the two countries.