Lujan Grisham heads to Japan again for trade mission

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham is back in Tokyo this week to deepen the state's economic ties with Japan, meeting with executives from Hitachi and Fujitsu and senior officials in the Japanese government.

The Governor's Office said Lujan Grisham left for Tokyo on Sunday, joined by state Economic Development Secretary Rob Black and Deputy Chief of Operations Caroline Buerkle. The group is scheduled to return May 19.

The trip follows a trade mission last spring that produced an agreement between Fujitsu and New Mexico State University to establish a technology innovation hub on the Las Cruces campus. The governor has also touted the potential for natural gas export deals with Japan, which will be a topic with Japanese officials this week, alongside quantum technologies, a spokesperson said.

In Japan, Lujan Grisham will meet with Yasuhiro "Charlie" Takeuchi, president and CEO of Hitachi America, and Yoichi Murakami, a senior executive with Fujitsu's Advanced Technology Development Unit. She will also meet with senior officials from Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.

A spokesperson for the Governor's Office said the trip's airfare was paid for by the New Mexico Partnership, an Albuquerque-based nonprofit group that focuses on business recruitment efforts. Lodging was paid for by the state.

Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon, who joined Lujan Grisham on last year's trade mission, is again accompanying her on the trip.

"New Mexico has a lot to offer Japan and other markets around the world," Lujan Grisham said. "This mission is about deepening New Mexico's existing relationship with Japan and demonstrating how our economic partnership will create strong opportunities for both sides."

Matthew Narvaiz is the Journal's business editor. You can reach him at mnarvaiz@abqjournal.com .