Boston - This week, Governor Maura Healey welcomed Consul General of Japan Seiichiro Takahashi to the Massachusetts State House. At a meeting in the Governor’s Ceremonial Office, Governor Healey and Consul General Takahashi discussed opportunities to strengthen the economic, cultural and educational ties between Massachusetts and Japan. The meeting focused on building upon the longstanding relationship between Massachusetts and Japan, with a shared commitment to fostering collaboration in key sectors such as life sciences, technology and tourism.  

During the meeting, Governor Healey, Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll, Consul General Takahashi, the President of the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) in New York, Mr. Satoshi Miura, and Executive Director of the Massachusetts Office of International Trade and Investment Jeevan Ramapriya discussed the opportunity to expand trade and investments, particularly in areas such as biotechnology, advanced manufacturing and clean energy. Japan is Massachusetts’ seventh largest trading partner, with over $3.3 billion worth of goods exchanged annually, including exporting over $1.5 billion to Japan in medical devices, industrial machinery and pharmaceutical products. Massachusetts also imports $1.7 billion of goods from Japan including vehicles, industrial machinery and medical instruments.  

"I was proud to host Consul General of Japan Seiichiro Takahashi and JETRO President Satoshi Miura at the State house to discuss ways to strengthen our state’s relationship with Japan,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Our shared values of excellence, innovation and cooperation provided a strong foundation for expanding this great relationship, and I look forward to continuing to work with our partners in Japan to create even more opportunities for our businesses and residents.” 

"It was an honor to join Governor Maura Healey at the Massachusetts State House," said Consul General Takahashi. "Relations between Japan and Massachusetts have rapidly developed in recent years, particularly through startup collaboration in fields such as life sciences and biotechnology. We are confident that we will continue to expand this partnership in the years to come, including through the upcoming 35th anniversary of the Hokkaido-Massachusetts sister-state relationship and the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai."

In addition to focusing on economic partnership, Governor Healey and Consul General Takahashi also discussed cultural exchanges, educational partnerships and the promotion of tourism between Japan and Massachusetts. The meeting marked a continuation of Massachusetts’ effort to deepen international ties and promote global collaboration as a hub for innovation, international business and cultural exchange.  

Since taking office, Governor Healey has made it a priority to meet with foreign officials when they visit Massachusetts. Just recently, she hosted the Premier of New Brunswick Susan Holt and the Premier of Prince Edward Island Rob Lantz to discuss Massachusetts and Canada’s strong economic partnership and the harmful impacts of President Trump’s tariffs. Additionally, she has met with Irish Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke to discuss cultural, social, trade and investment relationships between Massachusetts and Ireland. Governor Healey has also previously hosted the His Majesty King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, President of Latvia Edgars Rink?vi?s, Mayor of Derry City and Strabane Lilian Seenoi-Barr, Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Niamh Kennedy, former President of the Dominican Republic Leonel Fernandez, United Kingdom Consul General to New England David Clay, Consul General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands Ahmed Dadou, and Singapore's Ambassador to the United States Lui Tuck Yew. Governor Healey has also visited Ireland, Italy and the Vatican to promote Massachusetts on a global stage. 

The Massachusetts Office of International Trade and Investment (MOITI) is the international business development agency charged with promoting trade and investment with global partners in Massachusetts and around the world. MOITI is responsible for:

• Promoting commerce with global partners in Massachusetts and around the world;
• Recruits foreign investors by promoting the strengths of Massachusetts as a premier business and investment destination;
• Preparing Massachusetts-based companies to work in global markets, including the export of goods and services;
• Serving as the state’s business ambassador, welcoming foreign government officials interested in economic opportunities and investments to Massachusetts;  
• Serving as the state’s liaison to the diplomatic community and managing relations with foreign governments, trade agencies, and business entities.