From August 27 to 29, Mie Prefecture Governor Eikei Suzuki visited San Antonio. On August 27, Governor Suzuki, Mayor Ivy Taylor and Mr. Kevin Wolff, Bexar County Commissioner on behalf of Judge Nelson Wolff signed the Letter of Intent on economic collaboration between Mie Prefecture, City of San Antonio and Bexar County. Also, Governor Suzuki was bestowed the title of an Honorary Citizen of San Antonio as well as Hidalgo from Bexar County, and was presented an Honorary Guest of the Lone Star State Certificate signed by Texas Governor Rick Perry.
Subsequently, the official dinner for Governor Suzuki was hosted by the City of San Antonio and the World Affairs Council in partnership with Toyota Motors Manufacturing of Texas and was attended by a number of dignitaries including Congressman Joaquin Castro, Co-Chairman of the US-Japan Caucus. Congressman Castro stated that he is glad to welcome Governor Suzuki on behalf of his brother, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Julian Castro, who had invited Governor Suzuki to San Antonio in his previous capacity as a Mayor, and expressed his willingness to promote the bilateral relationship as the Co-Chairman of the US and Japan Caucus. Other special guests at the signing ceremony and official dinner included Former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and Former San Antonio Mayor, Henry Cisneros, Toyota Motor Manufacturing Texas Corporate Director Kyogo Onoue, Consul General Nozomu Takaoka and JETRO Chief Executive Director Takashi Nakamizo
In this visit, the delegation has demonstrated their political support for the two natural gas development and export projects mentioned above. The expectations for these two projects have been on the rise due to Japan’s current energy situation. The delegation members also helped to strengthen the exchange between Japan and the State of Texas. |
