Consulate Activities

2023/11/7

Summary of Japan State Minister of Foreign Affairs HORII Iwao's visit to Hawaii

State Minister of Foreign Affairs HORII Iwao visited the United States of America (Hawaii) from November 3rd to 4th and the following is a summary of his visit:


1. Meeting with Maui County Mayor Bissen and Maui Wildfire Victims
 
 

On November 3, State Minister Horii met with Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen and victims of the Maui wildfires that occurred in August. He expressed his condolences for the devasting damage, stating that Japan stands with the people of the United States and Hawaii and that the circle of support for Hawaii in Japan continues to grow.
 
2. Meeting with Hawaii State Governor Josh Green
 

(1) On November 3, State Minister Horii met with Governor of the State of Hawaii Josh Green. State Minister Horii expressed his condolences for the damage caused by the wildfires on the island of Maui and conveyed that the Japanese government had provided a total of $2 million in assistance through the American Red Cross and the Japan Platform (JPF), a non-profit organization, expressing Japan’s solidarity with Hawaii.
(2) State Minister Horii conveyed that Japan has many experiences of recovering from large-scale disasters and exchanged views with Governor Green on how to increase the number of Japanese tourists to Hawaii in the future, especially before the vacation season, for Maui’s recovery. 

3. Meeting with Mr. Rantz, Foreign Policy Advisor to the Commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, and Mr. Rochman, Foreign Policy Advisor to the Commander of U.S. Army Pacific Command
 

(1) On November 3, State Minister Horii met with Mr. David Ranz, Foreign Policy Advisor, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, and Mr. Daniel Rochman, Foreign Policy Advisor, U.S. Indo-Pacific Army Command, as they expressed their condolences for the damage caused by the wildfires on Maui and confirmed they would deepen their cooperation to further strengthen the Japan - U.S. alliance.
(2) They also discussed regional issues. 

4. Others

State Minister Horii also met with Japanese travel industry representatives in the State of Hawaii to exchange views on the current state of the tourism market in the State of Hawaii and issues related to the recovery of Japanese tourists’ visit to Hawaii after COVID-19.