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Consul General Fukuda’s Official Visit to Saskatchewan March 19th - 21, 2012
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Consul General Fukuda made an official visit to Regina, Saskatchewan, from March 19th to 21st, having met with several Provincial Cabinet members including the Hon. Brad Wall, Premier of Saskatchewan, the Hon. Ken Krawetz, Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance, and the Hon. Dan D’Autremont Speaker of the Legislative Assembly. Consul General had the pleasure of attending the opening session of the legislative assembly as a distinguished guest, in addition to meeting with prominent economic figures in the province, executive members of the Japanese Community Association, and the newly appointed Honorary Consul General of Japan in Saskatchewan, Mr. Victor Sawa. In the series of meetings held, the Consul General reiterated his gratitude to the province of Saskatchewan one year after the occurrence of the Great East Japan Earthquake for its tremendous offering of support and relief donations, while also touching upon the current state of affairs regarding reconstruction since the disaster. He also brought up the possibility of investment in the Tohoku (Northeast) Region, making mention of the fact that Japan is fully open for business, tourism and educational exchange. Furthermore, Consul General referenced the long-standing trade relationship shared between Japan and Saskatchewan, and expressed his anticipation of the success of Japanese industry and the bi-directional expansion and diversification of business. Saskatchewan provincial government dignitaries expressed their strong impression of Japan’s swift restoration after the disaster, as well as the fact that they are convinced of Japan accomplishing vigorous rebuilding in the days to come, and their firm expectation of Japan’s expansion with respect to trade and investment. Furthermore, Consul General gathered that Japanese companies in Saskatchewan were held in high esteem for their cooperation in green technology. The province of Saskatchewan is one of Canada’s foremost grain producers, and possesses an abundance of natural resources with Japan being the third largest exporting country for the province. Japan imports foodstuffs such as canola, wheat and barley from Saskatchewan, as well as natural resources such as kalium (potassium), making the relationship with the province essential. Consul General Fukuda completed the official visit to Saskatchewan, leaving with a renewed sense of the importance that the province holds for Japan, as well an awareness of the high level of interest that the Saskatchewan government has in Japan, and with revitalized hope to further strengthen their relationship of cooperation for many years to come.
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