TOKYO - To promote more international direct investment into Colorado and boost Colorado’s thriving economy, Governor Polis, officials within the Global Business Development Division of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT), and a Colorado delegation are on an investment mission in Japan.

“I am thrilled to help Colorado build new social and economic bonds and partnerships with Japan. Colorado’s economy is thriving and we must continue to seek out new and exciting investment opportunities and technology that could help create jobs to further boost our aerospace, renewable energy, and other booming industries,” said Gov. Polis.

The Governor’s investment mission abroad includes a full agenda of company, investor and Japanese leadership meetings in Tokyo and Osaka to explore investment opportunities. Japan is at the heart of the Asian-Pacific market, contains one of the most advanced economies in the world, and is well-connected with the U.S. and global commerce. Large company stocks work in advanced technologies important to Colorado’s long-term economic growth, in particular in aerospace, renewable energy, and computers and electronics. Japan also has consistently high rates of outbound foreign direct investment, venture capital investment, and import volumes.

A goal of the mission is to exchange ideas related to aerospace, renewable energy, innovation, research, entrepreneurship and the shared values Colorado and Japan hold. The economies of Colorado and Japan share many competitive strengths possessing strong ties and partnership potential in the industries of aerospace, renewable energy, technology and electronics and bioscience. Under the Polis administration, Colorado is a national leader on aerospace and renewable energy.

The mission also intends to promote foreign direct investment (FDI) into Colorado and help Colorado companies become more globally competitive by connecting Colorado businesses, organizations, educational institutions, and government agencies with foreign business communities, economic decision-makers, and senior government officials.

Japan was the United States’ fourth-largest trading partner in 2021 and Colorado’s sixth largest export trade partner. In 2022, Colorado imported $182 million from Japan and the country accounted for 2.6% of Colorado’s imports from Asia.

Colorado delegates include representatives from CU Boulder, CSU, Colorado School of Mines, Maxar, Boeing, United, Sumitomo, Sakura Square, National Renewable Energy Lab, Quantinuum, Starfire Energy, Deloitte, Pterodynamics, Tynt Technologies, CO Air and Space Port, Total Helium, Coorstek, OrbitFab, Astroscale, Japan America Society of Colorado , Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation, Vartega, and Barn Owl.

This is the Governor’s second investment mission. During his first term, the Governor visited India for a trade and investment mission with a collaborative focus on idea exchange around cleantech, smart mobility, and renewable energy.