First business mission to Japan: Building on Markham’s Economic Success Story

Mayor Frank Scarpitti is in Tokyo meeting with Government of Japan Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials and with senior members of the Japanese Parliament, including leaders of the Japan-Canada Parliamentary Friendship League.

This marks the first business mission to Japan, which is an integral part of Markham’s Economic Strategy, “Markham 2020”. The mission focuses on several of Markham’s targeted economic sectors including information technology, automotive industry software, research and development, advanced manufacturing and electronics.

Mayor Scarpitti is leading a 12-person delegation including Councillor Alex Chiu (Chair of Economic Development), Councillor Colin Campbell and representatives from local businesses and academia including York University and Seneca College.

“This is a great opportunity to connect with Japanese business leaders,” says Mayor Scarpitti, “Markham has a long and proud history of working with global investors, together, we have been able to achieve great success and we look forward to building and strengthening our economic, academic and cultural ties.”

Some of the topics discussed include, the impressive investment by Japanese companies in Markham including: Honda, Kubota, Mitsubishi Electric, NGK, Murata Power Solutions, Toyota, WEINS, Toshiba, Muji, Shiseido and others.

Markham will host a visit by the Japan-Canada Parliamentary Friendship League in 2018. On Friday, the 12-person Markham business delegation visited Japanese corporate headquarters.

Mr. Takehiro Funakoshi, Deputy Director-General, North American Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Mr. Mitsunari Okamoto, Member of the House of Representatives & Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs

Dr. Kuniko Inoguchi, Member of the House of Councillors, Member of Japan-Canada Parliamentary Friendship League

Mrs. Shinako Tsuchiya, Member of the House of Representatives, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs