Annapolis, 13 December 2022 (TDI): Japan and Maryland signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) on Economic and Trade Relations at the Maryland State House in Annapolis, Maryland.
The MOC was signed on December 13 by Koji Tomita, Ambassador of Japan to the United States (US), and Larry Hogan, Governor of the State of Maryland.
This MOC recognizes the commitment of both parties to continue working together and coordinating initiatives in various sectors.
These sectors include energy, high-speed rail development, passenger rail services, life sciences and biotechnology, digital innovation, academic collaboration, trade, and investments. This also counts Sister State and Sister City Economic Partnerships.
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Additionally, cooperation in digital innovation and cooperation with regard to Expo 2025 Osaka are new elements to the renewed memorandum. Also, its renewal extends the MOC by four more years, through 2026.
Sister State Alliance
Deeply rooted historical ties exist between Japan and Maryland, as shown by the Sister State ties between Kanagawa Prefecture and Maryland and the Sister City ties between Kawasaki City and Baltimore.
The Maryland-Kanagawa Sister State alliance celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2021. This witnessed the visits by Governor Hogan to Japan and Yuji Kuroiwa, the Governor of Kanagawa Prefecture, to Maryland in 2022.
The strong activities for intercultural exchange and people-to-people contact between Maryland and Japan are exemplified by the Sister State relationships. Moreover, both have a strong economic relationship, & Japanese businesses make significant investments there.
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The investments not only support regional sectors and increase employment possibilities, but they also strengthen economic relations between US and Japan.
In accordance with the updated MOC, the governments of Japan and Maryland will once again deepen their cooperation and support their successful economic and trade ties.
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