Evers Headed To Japan As Part Of First Trade Mission

Gov. Tony Evers is headed to Japan in September for his first trade mission.

According to the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp., the trip it’s coordinating will include stops in Tokyo, Yokohama and Chiba City. Evers will also be attending the Midwest U.S.-Japan Conference.

Exports in the first quarter of this year alone were up 11 percent compared to the previous year.

Katy Sinnott, WEDC’s vice president for international business development, said Japan is Wisconsin’s sixth-largest export destination, and the state’s exports there include a wide range of industries.

“We export industrial machinery, scientific and medical instruments, electrical machinery (and) meats to the country, and we hope to grow those industry clusters,” she said.

Former Gov. Scott Walker also traveled to Japan for trade missions during his eight years as governor.

Sinnott said the state typically leads ventures to Japan every other year, while also making annual trips to Canada, Mexico and China, the state’s three top export destinations.

“We keep those relationships going because relationships are incredibly important all over the world, but in particular in Japan,” she said. “And then we help the Wisconsin companies also build their own relationships in the country.”

Wisconsin exported more than $734 million worth of goods to Japan last year.

The trade mission runs Sept. 6 through Sept. 14.