The Signing of the Memorandum of Cooperation between the Government of Japan and the State of Washington in the United States of America on Economic and Trade Relations

On June 28, in Seattle, Washington, the Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) on Economic and Trade Relations was signed by Ambassador Kenichiro Sasae and Governor Jay Inslee. 
 
The MOC states that Japan and Washington intend to further support and coordinate efforts in areas including climate change, energy, aerospace, life sciences, information and communication technologies, agriculture and value added forest products, disaster risk reduction, distribution, academic cooperation, and trade and investment.
 
Stemming from over 50 years of sister relations between Hyogo Prefecture and Washington State, Japan and Washington maintain a historically deep tradition of both cultural and people-to-people exchange. Japan is one of Washington’s most important trading partners, resulting in a close economic relationship. Many Japanese companies have advanced into Washington and are actively doing business, while Washington firms have also successfully established businesses in Japan.
 
Furthermore, the Mitsubishi Regional Jet (MRJ) development base for the North America region was set up in Seattle last year, with plans to start flight tests based in Moses Lake this year. Recent steps have also been taken to promote new inter-regional industry collaboration, as evidenced by the Memorandum of Understanding signed between Mie Prefecture and Washington State in 2014.
 
Considering this background, Japan and Washington will enrich the partnership and further deepen strong economic and trade relations based on the MOC signed today.

Memorandum of Cooperation between the Government of Japan and the State of Washington in the United States of America on Economic and Trade Relations (English)

Memorandum of Cooperation between the Government of Japan and the State of Washington in the United States of America on Economic and Trade Relations (Japanese)