Leaders Find Inspiration In Japan To Make Miami-Dade A Better Place To Live
The Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce (GMCC) recently completed its Americas Linkage mission to Japan.
The 50-person delegation included representatives from the Chamber, Miami-Dade County, Economic Development Organizations and the local business sector — each equally eager to go and see what many describe as a nation living in the future.
As Miami-Dade looks to cement itself as an international hub for growth, entrepreneurship and innovation, the group traveled to Japan to strengthen the county’s commercial, investment and tourism ties, open new markets for Miami-Dade companies and see firsthand the cutting-edge solutions Japan has employed throughout its transportation, resilience and waste management systems.
From Nov. 27 to Dec. 6, the delegation visited Tokyo, Kyoto and Yokohama to meet with Japanese business leaders, government representatives and investors, heavily advocating for a direct flight from Japan to Miami-Dade. They met with Gov. Yuriko Koike of Tokyo and extended an invitation for her to visit Miami. They were in awe of Japan’s original approach to resident services, finding inspiration for their own community each day. Throughout the trip, they were consistently greeted by the kindness and purpose-driven efficiency common throughout the country.
Japan has long been recognized as one of South Florida’s key trading partners, and it carries significant potential for growth. Japan is Florida’s second-largest bilateral merchandise trading partner in the Asia-Pacific region, and more than 30% of Japanese companies in Florida are based here in Miami-Dade.
Japan is one of the top investors in the United States. Our strategic location and robust financial services sector make Miami-Dade an ideal destination for Japanese investment and travelers, which is why the group met with investors and companies interested in expanding their global footprint into South Florida, including Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) and SOMPO International (the third-largest global provider of property and casualty insurance/reinsurance in Japan).
Japan has also grappled with issues like lack of housing, rapid population growth in urban areas and increased waste — just like Miami-Dade. During the trip, the group visited the Sakura Environmental Center and Suginami Incineration Plant to see the uniquely Japanese approach to waste management.
The delegation returned to Miami with a new agreement with the Port of Yokohama, transformative lessons from Japan’s solid waste management systems and a promising commitment from Japan Airlines (JAL) to consider a direct flight to Miami by 2025 to unlock increased trade, business and tourism.
Source: Miami Herald
