Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero and Lt. Gov. Joshua Tenorio met with a high-level delegation from Japan this week to discuss strengthening economic cooperation between Guam and the Japanese government.
The delegation was led by Sadamasa Oue, special advisor to the prime minister of Japan, and included representatives from Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Defense, and the Consulate-General of Japan in Guam.
“Our territorial status notwithstanding, Guam enjoys a bilateral relationship with Japan that is unique among all the states and territories of the United States,” Leon Guerrero said, calling it an honor to welcome Oue to the island.
Tenorio said the meeting built on a longstanding economic foundation that includes more than 100 Japanese businesses operating in Guam. He proposed creating direct communication channels between Japanese trade officials and Guam’s leadership to advance shared economic goals.
“There appears to be a clear willingness on the part of the Japanese government to strengthen existing ties and establish new areas of cooperation,” Tenorio said, adding that the meeting opened the door for “new, 21st-century opportunities” between Guam and Japan.
Following discussions at Adelup, the delegation met with military officials and toured Japanese government-funded projects on Guam. Leon Guerrero said continued cooperation with Japan will bring ongoing benefits to the island.
Members of the delegation included Oue; Daijiro Matsunami, director of the Guam Relocation Project Office within Japan’s Ministry of Defense; Consul-General Susumu Ueda; and Vice Consul Yumi Sasada.
