SACRAMENTO, CA — September 24, 2025
A statewide delegation of California business and civic leaders will travel to Japan from September 28 to October 4, 2025 for the 2025 California–Japan Trade Mission, a weeklong program focused on export growth, foreign direct investment, and partnerships in clean energy and grid resiliency, advanced mobility, aerospace, AI, life sciences, food and beverage, and tourism. The mission is organized by the CalAsian Foundation in partnership with World Trade Center Los Angeles (WTCLA), Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC), the Los Angeles County Business Federation (BizFed), and the New California Coalition (NCC).
“California’s deep Asian and Pacific Islander roots are a bridge – not just culturally but commercially. We’re leveraging this trip to expand our network, accelerate trust, and open doors across the Pacific to deepen and broaden California’s innovation economy.” – Pat Fong Kushida, President & CEO, CalAsian Foundation
Anchored in Tokyo, the delegation will convene investor briefings and site visits with Japanese industry leaders and U.S.–Japan trade partners. Programming will also leverage the spotlight and global convening power of Expo 2025 Osaka, showcasing breakthrough technologies, sustainable design, and international collaboration. Participation around the Expo will help California companies and agencies accelerate partnerships and market entry across the Kansai region and beyond – especially in supply-chain resiliency, clean fuels, advanced manufacturing, and food and beverage innovation.
“Ties between California and Japan are built on decades of shared innovation. United is committed to this corridor and relationship for the long haul – investing in routes, sustainability, and partnerships that make the future more connected than ever before.” – Melissa Garrett, Director, State and Local Government Affairs, Western Region, United Airlines
“Our commitment is simple: provide safe, reliable, affordable, and clean energy for California. Partnerships we build on this mission will help us deliver on all of these commitments for the customers and stakeholders we serve in the Golden State.” – John Costa, Director, Government & Public Affairs, PG&E”
California and Japan share one of the world’s most consequential economic relationships. World Trade Center Los Angeles – LAEDC’s international trade and investment arm – works year-round to attract foreign direct investment and support local exporters; the mission builds on that platform (and a previous mission in 2023) to expand pipelines for capital, suppliers, and customers. The CalAsian Foundation’s statewide network of entrepreneurs and executives, combined with BizFed and the New California Coalition’s broad coalition of employers and civic leaders, positions the delegation to deliver tangible results and job creation for communities across the Golden State – while strengthening resiliency in our energy, logistics, and food systems.
Delegates will also engage Japanese counterparts to advance zero- and near-zero-emission shipping, port electrification, digital harmonization for cargo flows, and clean-fuel bunkering concepts. This includes coordination with California ports to explore scalable pilots for green methanol/ammonia, shore power, and yard equipment electrification that can reduce emissions while improving supply-chain resiliency and reliability.
Press Release – 2025 California Japan Trade Mission.docx
Other mission objectives include:
- Export & supplier matchmaking: curated meetings for California companies with Japanese buyers, distributors, and joint-venture partners, including food and beverage brands and suppliers.
- FDI and project pipelines: investor briefings highlighting California opportunities in clean energy and grid resiliency, advanced manufacturing, logistics, and hospitality/tourism.
- Innovation exchange: dialogues with leading research institutions and corporations on mobility, AI, life sciences, climate solutions, and food tech/processing, including commercialization and pilot projects.
- City and regional partnerships: engagement with metropolitan leaders to advance twinning agreements, tourism promotion, and cultural exchange that drive visitor spending and small-business growth – with a focus on resilient supply chains from port to plate.
- Green Shipping Corridor collaboration: structured sessions with maritime, port, and fuel stakeholders to accelerate zero-emission shipping pilots, port electrification, and clean-fuel infrastructure planning.
Media & Delegate Inquiries
For general inquiries, please reach out to Lauren Oto (loto@calasiancc.org)
For World Trade Center Los Angeles/Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation inquiries, please contact Olivia Zhang (olivia.zhang@laedc.org)
For BizFed inquiries, please reach out to Alec Mesropian (alec.mesropian@bizfed.org)
For New California Coalition inquiries, please reach out to Christina Lee (christina@newcaliforniacoalition.org)