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Later, the group was briefed by officials from the U.S. Embassy. Lisa Brown, director of the Washington State
Department of Commerce, met with Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Kiyoto Tsuji.
trains, ports and some familiar brands
The schedule also included a wide-ranging discussion of Japan’s high-speed rail and infrastructure investments
— and for some, a fast ride. Schauer was among those who rode the 150-mile-per-hour bullet train from Tokyo
to Odawara.
In Japan, the trains run on time and they’re safe. The Tokaido Shinkansen high-speed rail system opened in 1964
and serves at the country’s main transportation artery. The average delay is 0.7 minutes, and there have been no
casualties in over 50 years. The system averages 368 trains a day and moves about 165 million passengers a year.
The network was built as a standalone system which is separate from other rail activities.
Hemphill said one of her impressions was that the builders were patient and consistent.
“It takes a lot of time and a lot of money to do it right,” she said. “It was very thought out and meticulous.”
If riding a bullet train was a new experience, the delegation felt at home during a visit to one of Japan’s
28 Costco locations and a tour of the
company’s Japan headquarters. This
Washington-based employer has 9,600
employees and 6 million cardholders in
Japan. Hemphill said sometimes the lines
to get in the store spill into the parking lot
One of the main takeaways from the trade mission was the fact that
and down the block.
this is just the beginning of a long-term effort. Stephanie Hemphill,
A tour of the Port of Tokyo was also
AWB director of events, said it was apparent that AWB’s partners in
included in the schedule. Hemphill said
Japan want to get to know their American partners as people first, and
the port operates with a great degree of
then talk business. “From what we learned, you really have to build a
autonomy, and creativity. For example,
loyal relationship to do business with them,” she said. “You have to be
there’s no room to expand. So, the port
in it for the long haul. You have to prove that this is not transactional,
creates land by digging up ground, and
and that this is relationship-based.”
making islands. These islands are then sold
back to companies, which essentially pays
for the infrastructure.
additional information
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