Day 7 – Cultural Exploration & Flights Home
On Saturday morning, the group squeezed in one final optional delegation activity, a cultural tour of Osaka. The group departed in the morning for the Kuromon Market, which is about a 600-meter covered public market that features about 150 shops which sell everything from shellfish and produce to traditional sweets and other low-priced goods.
The morning cultural activity quickly came to an end as many of us had to depart for the airport to catch our return flights back to California.
There was a large group of us on the same flight home and we all reminisced in the airport about the week’s activities, while others took advantage of the opportunity to catch up on some much-needed sleep.
It was an exciting and productive trade mission to Japan.
Our hosts in Japan were most informative and gracious, allowing our group to see many different sides of Japan. The delegation returned with a number of experiences from the past week in Japan and looks forward to developing new networks that will advance our state’s connection to the bilateral relationship with Japan.
The Lieutenant Governor with her vast ambassadorial, diplomatic, and international trade experience was, once again, a polished and experienced co-leader of this international delegation. Dee Dee Myers, Director of GO-Biz, brought her deep expertise on economic development, emphasizing the importance of public-private partnerships and paving the way for additional trade and commercial engagement with Japan.
A special thanks to my assistant, Nikki Ellis, who provided the research for the blog, accompanied the delegation on the mission, and was extremely helpful in the advance planning and logistics. And thanks to Kurt Barneson, CalChamber Director of Finance. My continued appreciation goes to our CalChamber Communications Department, who always are willing to assist in promoting international trade and investment.
And thanks to the entire California Japan Mission organizing team, including our in-market partner Marjorie Dewey and the team at CWW! The Lt. Governor’s Office and GO-Biz staff took the lead and was key to a successful mission.
