KUMAMOTO, Japan – Concluding his trade mission in Japan, Governor Greg Gianforte today highlighted the long-standing sister-state relationship between Montana and Kumamoto Prefecture, established in 1982 with the goal of promoting exchanges in industry, education, culture, and community between the two regions. Gov. Gianforte’s visit to Kumamoto Prefecture is the first visit by a Montana Governor in fifteen years.
“Montana and Kumamoto share a remarkable history of collaboration and friendship,” Governor Gianforte said. “We are proud of the educational, cultural, and economic exchanges that continue to bring our communities closer together, and we look forward to deepening this partnership in the years to come.”
The sister state relationship was established in honor of the work of Ambassador Mike Mansfield from Butte, the longest serving ambassador to Japan. The Montana Trade Office in Kumamoto was established in 1990 and is the state’s only remaining trade office in Japan.
Through the relationship and the trade office, Montana’s trade representative, Mako Sakaguchi, promotes the state’s economic opportunities to stakeholders in Japan that are interested in investing in or expanding operations in Montana. The office also supports U.S. companies looking to expand into the Japanese market through long-standing relationships like agriculture, or new partnerships like those in the bioscience, photonics, and quantum industries.
During his visit, Gov. Gianforte met with the governor of Kumamoto Prefecture, Takashi Kimura, marking the first meeting between the leaders to discuss Montana’s agricultural exports to Japan, including wheat and beef, and decades of educational exchanges and support for cultural programs. Since 1982, the regions have established exchanges with high school and college students, and Kumamoto Prefecture offers a scholarship program and a high school study abroad program for students to study in Montana.
Kumamoto Prefecture has long been known for its abundant resources to support the agriculture, forestry, and livestock industries and in recent years, has expanded into operations within the semiconductor industry. In 2024, the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company opened its first semiconductor production plant in Japan in Kumamoto.
“Through the dedicated efforts of Mike Mansfield, then U.S. Ambassador to Japan, Kumamoto Prefecture established a sister-state relationship with Montana. We celebrated the 40th anniversary of this relationship in 2022, and this year marks our 43rd anniversary,” Governor Kimura said. “I understand this is the first visit by a Montana Governor to Kumamoto Prefecture in 15 years, and I am truly honored to welcome you in my capacity as Governor on such a special occasion.”
The day concluded with a reception attended by government, education, and community leaders from both regions. Governor Gianforte and Governor Kimura gave remarks celebrating the sister-state relationship, and the governor presented a service award honoring Mako Sakaguchi for her decades of work fostering ties between Montana and Japan.
“Our relationship with Kumamoto is about more than trade or education – it is about people, culture, and shared values,” Gov. Gianforte said. “We are proud of the work we have done together over the years, and we look forward to expanding opportunities for collaboration that will benefit both Montana and Kumamoto for generations to come.”
The governor and delegation are scheduled to begin traveling back to Montana tomorrow.
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Office of the Governor
