Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - July 24, 1998
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Locke highlights Washington connections in Kobe, Japan

KOBE, JAPAN - Japan's role as Washington State's top export market continues to get special attention of Gov. Gary Locke as he spends two busy days in the City of Kobe as part of his far east trade mission on July 24 and 25.

The governor and a group of government, business and education representatives accompanying him as Team Washington are in Japan to promote Washington agriculture exports, meet with Japanese officials, tour high-tech facilities and a visit to a Washington-based retail store.

"Japan has become an extremely important trading partner for Washington State," Governor Locke said. "This trip gives us an opportunity to build on that relationship first hand."

In 1997 Japan accounted for 19 percent, or $6.7 billion, of all Washington state-of-origin exports. Transportation equipment leads the list at $2.3 billion with lumber and wood products second at $1.2 billion.

Third on the list is agriculture products at $940 million, Japan is Washington's largest cherry export market and on average imports a half-million 20-pound boxes every year. Other major commodities from Washington include wheat, beef, hay, frozen potatoes, fresh and processed vegetables, grass seed, fruit juices, cattle hides and mint oil.

Meetings with U.S. Consul General Frederic Maerkle and Hyogo Prefecture's Governor Toshitami Kaihara opened Locke's Japan schedule on Friday, July 24. He got a close look at a Washington-based investment in Japan when he visited the Eddie Bauer store in Kobe's Harbor Island.

The important fruit industry exports got attention as Locke met with 12 of Japan's top importers of fresh cherries and fresh asparagus at a luncheon hosted by the Washington State Fruit Commission.

Three of the national supermarket chains and importers attending the luncheon imported nearly $2 million of fresh asparagus from Washington state this year.

"These first significant sales of fresh Washington asparagus to Japan are the result of hard work by the Washington Department of Agriculture office," Locke said. "Such new produce deals are the essence of good international trade relations."

Locke visited the Daiei department store, Japan's largest supermarket chain, to view retail promotions of Washington fresh cherries and asparagus. Daiei purchased 6.5 metric tons of fresh asparagus from Washington, the first sale of its kind.

While in Sanomiya, Locke toured the Phoenix Earthquake Recovery Center. The disaster, which struck Kobe in 1995, drew a strong assistance response from Washington state government, business and individuals.

Tours of the Imported Housing Center at Rokko Island and the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge Science Center at Maiko, and dinner with Vice Governor Ido concluded the day.

Saturday will be devoted to high-tech. Following a visit to the Himeji Castle, Locke will tour the Harima Science Garden City where Japanese technology is on display. He will conclude his Kobe activities with dinner with Gov. Kaihara.

The Governor's Trade Mission group will leave Sunday morning from Osaka for Taiwan.

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