From Sunshine State to Rising Sun, Miami-Dade group set to visit Japan

A delegation from Miami-Dade County, Florida, will visit Japan from Nov. 25 to Dec. 6 in a bid to deepen trade and commerce ties and establish business connections between the two regions.

Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and Oliver Gilbert III, Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners, will lead a delegation from the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce that will visit the country.

The group will travel to Tokyo and Kyoto to meet with Japanese business leaders to learn about opportunities and exchange ideas that will strengthen tiess.

Some of the goals of the GMCC “Americas Linkage” program are to learn and share strategies in the areas of export and import trade, technology, innovations and entrepreneurship, waste management, sustainability and resilience, urban density/workforce housing, mobility, tourism, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, aviation and cargo.

The program is designed for groups and companies that conduct or want to start an international business. 

“This trade mission to Japan signifies our commitment to fostering stronger connections between Miami and Japan,” said Alfred Sanchez, GMCC president and CEO. “We believe that by nurturing trade relations and encouraging business development, we can unlock the full potential of both regions, ultimately leading to mutual prosperity and growth.”

The delegation will also hold talks with Japanese government officials and various business leaders in areas such as AI, robotics, biotechnology, transit, tourism and renewable energy. 

“Both our regions have a shared commitment to fostering economic growth, innovation and cultural exchange,” Levine Cava said. “Through this trade mission we aim to deepen our relationship to gain insight into innovative solutions and new markets, while also increasing international opportunities for our local companies and opening a more direct path for future exchanges.”

The group will also promote the export of Florida goods and the import of Japanese products.

“This mission will help us open new doors for regional and international businesses with a critical trade partner for South Florida, such as Japan,” Gilbert said. 

Japan is one of South Florida’s key trading partners, but officials believe there is significant potential for growth across various sectors. 

Japan is the Sunshine State’s second largest bilateral merchandise trading partner in the Asia-Pacific region, according to the Florida Department of State, with trade valued at $6.6 billion in 2022.

Nearly 81% of all exports from Japan to Florida in 2022 consisted of automobiles and related products while Florida’s exports to Japan totaled $636 million, with 55% coming from the state’s biotechnology and life sciences sector. 

Miami’s strategic location in Southeast Florida and its growing financial services sector have made it an attractive destination for foreign investment. Japan currently ranks sixth among sources of foreign direct investment in Florida.