Newsroom
GOVERNOR SCOTT'S MISSION TO JAPAN
Locations: Tokyo-Osaka-Nagoya
Dates: November 2-9, 2013
Attendance: 24
Overview:
From November 3-9, 2013, Governor Rick Scott led a delegation of more than 20 business leaders to Japan for his 10th international mission. The mission focused on increasing business development opportunities for companies from Japan to invest, grow and create jobs in Florida. During the mission the Governor met with more than a dozen leading Japanese companies, and spoke to more than 350 business leaders at seminars and forums promoting Florida as a super-state for business.
On January 1, 2013, Enterprise Florida, Inc. opened a representative office in Tokyo and began implementing an aggressive strategy to market Florida as a business destination and locate Japanese companies interested in establishing an operation in Florida. As such, the mission’s goal was to recruit more foreign direct investment (FDI) for Florida. According to the latest available data, more than 2,500 FDI establishments in Florida account for 236,000 jobs. Florida has a number of strengths to leverage when meeting company officials including one of the fastest growing international economies, a great port and seaport infrastructure as well as a large and well qualified multicultural workforce.
Japan is the number one investor in Florida in terms of property, plant and equipment with $4.11 billion, and Japanese companies account for 20,400 Florida jobs. Florida is the principal gateway for merchandise trade between North America, Latin America and the Caribbean, making it an attractive location for Japanese companies looking to expand in those key markets. In addition, the state maintains a sister-jurisdiction relationship with Wakayama Prefecture and nine Florida cities partner with sister cities in Japan.
Mission Results:
- Governor Rick Scott met with Aderans, a Japanese company that acquired the Hair Club of Boca Raton for $163 million. This acquisition retained 150 jobs in Florida. As part of their investment strategy, Aderans is looking invest in in-house salons at cancer centers where patients undergoing chemotherapy will be able to receive custom styled wigs.
- Governor Rick Scott and the Florida Department of Citrus kicked-off the Florida grapefruit season in Japan in Tokyo’s largest fruit and produce market. The event was attended by executives of Japan’s grapefruit importers and executives from Japan’s leading supermarkets. Japan is the largest export market for Florida grapefruit.
Florida’s Relationship with Japan:
- More than 200 Japanese companies account for 20,400 Florida jobs.
- Japan is the #1 investor in Florida in terms of property, plant, and equipment with $4.11 billion.
- Japan is Florida’s 2nd largest import market.
- Japan is Florida’s 8th largest merchandise trading partner.
- Japan is #19 for Florida-Origin Exports
- Japan is #28 in Merchandise Exports.
- More than 270,000 Japanese tourists visit Florida.
Frequently Requested Documents:
- Governor Scott’s Public Schedule (pdf)
- Participant Listing (pdf)
- Japan/Florida Foreign Direct Investment Market Brief (pdf)
Japan Mission News:
- Japan Press Release (pdf)
- What They’re Saying about Governor’s Scott’s Mission to Japan (pdf)
- Governor Scott and First Lady Scott Welcome Florida Delegation to Japan (pdf)
