Japan-Hawaii Economic Summit - U.S.-Japan Council

May 9-11, 2017

Presented by the U.S.-Japan Council and the State of Hawai‘i Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism, this three-day summit fostered tangible near- and long-term economic opportunities among Japanese prefectures, the State of Hawaii, and the continental U.S.

(L-R) Vice Governor Masaru Eguchi of Fukuoka Prefecture; Vice Governor Yutaka Ota of Nagano Prefecture; Irene Hirano Inouye, President of USJC; Governor Hidehiko Yuzaki of Hiroshima Prefecture; Governor David Y. Ige of Hawaii; Dr. Daniel Okimoto, Member of the USJC Board of Councilors; Vice Governor Toyohiko Ota of Oita Prefecture; Vice Governor Takashi Nanba of Shizuoka Prefecture; and Dennis Teranishi, Chairman of the Board at USJC, at the Japan-Hawaii Economic Summit

Thank you to everyone who attended the Summit!!

Summit Overview

The Japan-Hawaii Economic Summit accelerated regional and international exchange with prefectures in Japan that have interests in and connections to Hawaii. The summit highlighted shared issues and opportunities spanning business, tourism, and energy, and forged connections that will pave the way for future collaboration and trade.

May 9-11, 2017
Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows
68-1400 Mauna Lani Drive
Kohala Coast, Hawaii 96743

The Summit included more than 200 delegates from Japan, Hawaii, and the U.S. Mainland – including Governors, assembly officials, academia, and distinguished executives across the public and private sectors. The following prefectures were invited:

State of Hawaii Sister Partnerships

Ehime Prefecture
Fukuoka Prefecture
Hiroshima Prefecture
Hokkaido Prefecture
Okinawa Prefecture

USJC Governor’s Circle

Fukuoka Prefecture
Hiroshima Prefecture
Oita Prefecture
Okayama Prefecture
Nagano Prefecture
Shizuoka Prefecture

Summary

The inaugural Japan-Hawaii Economic Summit was a resounding success. More than 200 leaders—including governors, vice governors and other representatives of seven Japanese prefectures (Ehime, Fukuoka, Hiroshima, Hokkaido, Nagano, Oita and Shizuoka)—gathered in Kona from May 9 to 11, discussing ways to collaborate with Hawaii and the continental U.S. through food, tourism, education, clean energy and more.

This regional summit was the first of its kind, connecting Hawaii with Japanese prefectures with which it has sister-state relationships, as well as those that are part of USJC’s Governors’ Circle initiative. Governor David Y. Ige of Hawaii, Governor Hidehiko Yuzaki of Hiroshima, and the vice governors of Fukuoka, Nagano, Oita and Shizuoka all spoke in various sessions, discussing ways to enhance their state or prefectures’ relationship with one another and the continental U.S.

After the reception on May 9, Mayor Bernard Carvalho of Kauai (right) sang the Japanese traditional song “Furusato” (meaning “hometown”) with the delegation from Hokkaido, who had just signed a sister-state agreement with Hawaii the day before

After a grand welcome reception on the first day that was attended by all four mayors of the Aloha State (Hawaii (Big Island), Honolulu, Kauai and Maui), the second day of the Summit was filled with speeches and panel discussions examining Japan-Hawaii relations from various angles. Masaaki Tanaka, Senior Global Advisor of PwC International (Vice Chair of the USJC Board of Councilors) and Robert Harrison, Chairman & CEO of First Hawaiian Bank, each gave keynote speeches discussing the deep history between Hawaii and Japan, as well as future opportunities that keep expanding due to advances in technology that overcome geographical distances.

A panel called “Business Bridges,” which included Yasunobu Kyogoku, Managing Partner of Innovation Global Capital, examined best practices in expanding Hawaii businesses to Japan and vice versa. The education panel discussed how cross-cultural education is changing through innovation. The tourism panel, which included Pono Shim, President & CEO of the Oahu Economic Development Board, and George Szigeti, President & CEO of the Hawaii Tourism Authority, discussed the charms of Hawaii and Japanese prefectures, as well as ways to promote two-way tourism. A governors’ panel with Governors Ige and Yuzaki, as well as founder of the Governors’ Circle Dr. Daniel Okimoto (Member of the USJC Board of Councilors), examined regional economic collaboration from a macro perspective.

*Mr. Rogers explaining how energy is stored at his ranch*

The third day of the Summit continued with panel discussions on food and energy, featuring stars such as Daniel Dinell, President of Hawaii Coffee Company; Yosuke Honjo, CEO of ITO EN US Group (Member of the USJC Board of Directors); Allan Ikawa, President & CEO of Big Island Candies; Jeffrey Char, CEO of J-Seed Ventures, Inc; and Alan Oshima, President & CEO of Hawaiian Electric Company. The Summit concluded with a tour of Pu’u Wa’awa’a, a ranch owned by Founder & CEO of Blue Planet Energy, Henk Rogers. Mr. Rogers explained how the ranch is completely off the grid, storing energy in batteries, and how such renewable energy initiatives could be expanded elsewhere.

We would like to thank DBEDT and the State of Hawaii, the seven Japanese prefectures, the Summit Host Committee, our generous sponsors and everyone who attended.

Print Program

Click he r e to see the print program, which has the full schedule and the bios of all speakers.

Photos

Click here to see more photos from the Summit.

Social Media

Click here for the social media recap to see how the speakers and audience enjoyed the Summit activities!

Speakers

Keynote Speakers:

Masaaki Tanaka, Vice Chair, Board of Councilors, U.S.-Japan Council; Senior Global Advisor, PwC International

Masaaki Tanaka, also known as Masa, served as Deputy President of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. from June 2012 to June 25, 2015. Mr. Tanaka served as the Chief Executive Officer of Americas at Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ Ltd., from July 28, 2010 to May 2011 and Managing Executive Officer since 2007. Masa has since been appointed to be Advisor at the Japan Financial Services Agency.

Robert Harrison, Chairman, First Hawaiian Bank

Robert Harrison became Chief Executive Officer in January 2012 and named Chairman of First Hawaiian Bank in May 2014. He served as Chief Operating Officer of First Hawaiian Bank from December 2009 to January 2012 and as its President from December 2009 to May 2015. He was named Vice Chairman in 2007 and served as the bank’s Chief Risk Officer from 2006 to 2009. He was elected to First Hawaiian Bank’s Board of Directors in December 2009 and appointed to the bank’s holding company board, First Hawaiian, Inc. in April 2016. He has been a member of the bank’s Senior Management Committee since January 2006.

He serves as Chairman of First Hawaiian Leasing, Inc. a subsidiary of the bank, and First Hawaiian Bank Foundation, the charitable arm of the bank. A 20-year veteran of the company, joining First Hawaiian Bank in 1996, he has over 28 years of financial industry experience working for banks in New York and in Hawaii. He currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors for Alexander and Baldwin (NYSE: ALEX), Hawaii Community Foundation, Blood Bank of Hawaii and is Chairman of Hawaii Medical Service Association, the independent licensee of Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association in Hawaii. He is the current Chairman of the Hawaii Business Roundtable and is President of the Hawaii Bankers Association. He served in the U.S. Navy before earning a bachelor’s degree in Applied Mathematics from the University of California, Los Angeles and an MBA from Cornell University in New York.

Speakers:

David Ige, Governor, State of Hawaii
Hidehiko Yuzaki, Governor, Hiroshima Prefecture
Irene Hirano Inouye, President, U.S.-Japan Council
Daniel Okimoto, Professor Emeritus, Stanford University
Yasunobu Kyogoku, CEO, Innovative Global Capital
Shigetoshi Ogino, Deputy General Manager and Director, ResortTrust
Seiki Takahashi, CEO, PJ Partners
Gregg Yamanaka, President, Learning Biz
Kuhao Zane, Designer, Sig Zane Designs
David Lassner, President, University of Hawaii
Dawn Ige, First Lady, State of Hawaii
Kuniaki Shimozaki, Superintendent, Hiroshima Prefectural Board of Education
Alan Oshima, President & CEO, Hawaiian Electric Company
Jeff Char, Business Innovation Task Force, TEPCO
Henk Rogers, CEO, Blue Planet
Luis Salaveria, Director, State of Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism
Masaru Eguchi, Vice Governor, Fukuoka Prefecture
Derek Kurisu, Executive Vice President, KTA Superstores
Toyohiko Ota, Vice Governor, Oita Prefecture
Yosuke Honjo, President, Ito-En USA
Daniel Dinell, President, Hawaii Coffee Company/Lion Coffee
Allan Ikawa, President, Big Island Candies
George Szigeti, President & CEO, Hawaii Tourism Authority
Pono Shim, CEO, Oahu Economic Development Board
Yutaka Ota, Vice Governor, Nagano Prefecture
Takashi Nanba, Vice Governor, Shizuoka Prefecture
Isabella Ellaheh Hughes, Director & Co-Founder, Honolulu Biennial
Atsuyuki Oike, Minister Plenipotentiary and Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of Japan in Washington, DC

Conference Schedule

Tuesday, May 9

4:00pm		Conference Registration Main Lobby – Kona side

6:00pm – 8:00pm		Welcome Reception Poolside Lawn Hosted by the State of Hawai’i Department of Business, Education & Tourism,visiting officials from Japan will be honored

Wednesday, May 10

7:30am – 8:45am		Breakfast + Business Networking Ballroom Lanai

8:45am – 9:15am		Welcome Ballroom Messages from Irene Hirano Inouye, Governor David Ige, and Minister Plenipotentiary and Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of Japan in Washington, DC Atsuyuki Oike

9:15am – 9:45am		Keynote Speaker

9:45am – 10:45am		Panel BallroomBusiness Bridges: Crossing the Pacific to Global Success The business cultures of Japan, Hawaii and the U.S. mainland are unique. Books, articles and websites generally discuss major issues relevant to commercial expansion to new markets, but fail to provide the networking opportunities, “hands-on” knowledge, or relevant feedback to successfully do so. This panel will discuss the experiences of business executives who have generated new commercial affiliations and successfully navigated the complex path of assessing strategies, selecting the right market entry method, and coping with the differences of cultural and business etiquette in Japan, Hawaii and the U.S. mainland. Business and governmental networks and resources they found helpful will also be highlighted.

10:45am – 11:00am		Morning Break

11:00am – 12:00pm		Panel BallroomInnovations in Education: Sparking Global Awareness The recent slowing of cross-border trade has made it even more important to develop young leaders with an understanding and awareness of global viewpoints. In this session, panelists will discuss recent educational innovations and thinking on developing global thinkers from an early age. In particular, we will look at how advancements in technology can open the doors to enhancing the classroom experience in both Japan and Hawaii to stimulate interest and knowledge of each other’s countries, while also increasing the ability to attract international students.

12:00pm – 12:15pm		Break (walk to Pavilion)

12:15pm – 1:15pm		Lunch + Networking Activity Hale Haoloha Pavilion

1:15pm – 1:30pm		Break (walk back to Ballroom)

1:30pm – 2:00pm		Keynote Two Ballroom Robert Harrison, Chairman, First Hawaiian Bank

2:00pm – 3:00pm		Panel Ballroom Tourism 2.0: Strategies to Engage the Next Generation Visitor Tourism is a major pillar of Japan’s growth strategy and accounts for more than 20% of Hawaii’s economy. Learn more about its importance to Japan and Hawaii by hearing from leaders pioneering strategies and tools in tourism and branding to stimulate regional activities and overall economic growth. The panel will also share gaps in the marketplace, and will reveal anticipated opportunities for change, innovation, and bilateral cooperation.

3:00pm – 3:15pm		Afternoon Break

3:15pm – 4:15pm		Panel – Governors’ Panel Ballroom Join Governor Ige and the USJC Governor’s Circle for a discussion about bilateral relationships between Japan and Hawaii.

4:15pm – 5:30pm		Evening Break

5:30pm – 6:30pm		Cocktail Reception (all participants welcome) Bay Terrace Restaurant (tentative)

6:30pm – 8:30pm		Dinner Bay Terrace Restaurant (tentative)

Thursday, May 11

7:30am – 8:45am		Breakfast + Business Networking Ballroom Lanai

8:45am – 9:10am		Welcome

9:10am – 10:10am		Panel Ballroom Food Fortunes: Overcoming Challenges and Building Brands Overseas With the great interest in agriculture and food from Hawaii and Japan, the importing and exporting of food between countries is expected to continue. For Japanese food companies, Hawaii provides a lower risk market to begin global expansion and for Hawaii-based companies, Japanese consumers’ affinity for Hawaiian products provides a natural expansion opportunity. This panel will explore business opportunities and challenges; local sourcing; resource management; food security and safety; and rules and regulations of the importing and exporting of foods.

10:00am – 11:00am		Panel Ballroom Renewable Energy How will Hawaii achieve its goal of using 100 percent renewable resources by 2045, and address the upcoming policy and consumer-level changes and impacts that we can anticipate? How is Japanese technology and adoption in the sector progressing, and how do their renewable energy goals measure up? Hear from thought leaders and change agents from both markets.

11:15am – 11:25am		Closing RemarksBallroomDennis Teranishi, Chairman of the Board

11:25am – 11:45pm		Board Buses Drive to Puu Waawaa Ranch

12:10pm – 12:20pm		Welcome by Henk Rogers Puu Waawaa Ranch Pavilion

12:20pm – 2:20pm		Lunch, Tours of the Energy Lab and Business Networking Puu Waawaa Ranch Pavilion *(Groups of 20, 15 minutes per group for the Energy Lab Tour)*

2:20pm – 3:00pm		Board Buses Return to hotel

3:00pm		Summit Adjourned

About the U.S.-Japan Council

The U.S.-Japan Council is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit educational organization that contributes to strengthening U.S.-Japan relations by bringing together diverse leadership, engaging stakeholders and exploring issues that benefit communities, businesses and government entities on both sides of the Pacific. The Council cultivates an international network of members, and collaborates with other organizations and institutions to develop programs that allow members to engage with their counterparts in the United States and Japan.

The Council promotes people-to-people relations as crucial to a strong U.S.-Japan relationship. The Council was founded in 2008 and is headquartered in Washington, DC with staff in Hawaii, California and Tokyo. In 2012, the U.S.-Japan Council (Japan) was created to support the administration of the TOMODACHI Initiative, and in 2013, it became a Public Interest Corporation (Koeki Zaidan Hojin). The U.S.-Japan Council (Japan) maintains its office in Tokyo, Japan.

About the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism

DBEDT is Hawaii’s resource center for economic and statistical data, business development opportunities, energy and conservation information, and foreign trade advantages. DBEDT’s mission is to achieve a Hawaii economy that embraces innovation and is globally competitive, dynamic and productive, providing opportunities for all Hawaii’s citizens. Through its attached agencies, the department fosters planned community development, creates affordable workforce housing units in high-quality living environments, andpromotes innovation sector job growth.

Media EDIA

The Summit was covered by Hawaii News Now, KHON2, Hawaii Tribune Herald and KITV4.

(Click here to see the pre-Summit press release.)