(MVA) — The historic ties of The Marianas and Hiroshima, Japan, laid the foundation for work by the Marianas Visitors Authority last month for a renewed and expanded relationship between the islands and the Japanese prefecture.
Ten members of Hiroshima Prefecture Assembly and 13 businesspersons visited Saipan and Tinian on Jan. 23-26, 2025, on a whirlwind tour organized by MVA that included meeting with local dignitaries, learning about commonwealth tax incentives, and visiting historic sites.
The government and business group was led by Chairman Takashi Nakamoto of the Hiroshima Prefectural Assembly and President Tetsuya Matsuda of Hiromaz Holding Co., an affiliate of Mazda Motor Corporation. During their visit, the group met with Governor Arnold I. Palacios, Saipan Mayor Ramon B. Camacho, Tinian Mayor Edwin Aldan and Tinian Municipal Councilmembers, and the MVA.
“The Marianas and Japan share a long history of peace and friendship — over 111 years,” said MVA Managing Director Christopher A. Concepcion. “Since my visit to Hiroshima last year, we have continued to discuss ways to promote exchanges with Hiroshima. In July 2024, I received an invitation to meet in person with the Hiroshima Prefectural Assembly, and this month’s visit is the result of months of planning following that first meeting. We hope that the connections made during their brief visit will bring forth continued partnership, especially as we approach the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.”
Concepcion also noted that personal assistance of Matsuda in coordinating the visit.
“Mr. Matsuda helped facilitate this tour from the beginning,” said Concepcion. “His support has been invaluable, and the business community and local government now have a number of positive partnership opportunities that they can move forward on.”
The Japanese business group also met with officials of the Commonwealth Economic Development Authority who shared tax advantages of doing business in The Marianas, and The Japanese government group also met with officials of the Northern Marianas College. Island tours were taken of historic sites from the Japanese administrative era in the islands in both Saipan and Tinian, including Japanese memorials. The government group also visited the atomic bomb loading pits at North Field in Tinian.
CNMI Governor Arnold I. Palacios, second left, presents a plaque to Chairman Takashi Nakamoto of the Hiroshima Prefectural Assembly on Jan. 24, 2025, at the Office of the Governor in Saipan, The Marianas. From left, Chairman Daizou Hayashi of the Hiroshima Prefectural Assembly Committee for International Peace and Multicultural Coexistence, and Investment in People, Palacios, Nakamoto, and Lt. Governor David M. Apatang.
Hiroshima Prefectural Assembly Chairman Takashi Nakamoto, standing left, presents Ramon RB Camacho, mayor of Saipan, with a Kumano brush, a Hiroshima specialty, as a souvenir on Jan. 24, 2025, at the Office of the Mayor of Saipan in The Marianas
Northern Marianas College Vice President Frankie Eliptico, center, welcomes Hiroshima Prefectural Assembly delegates on Jan. 25, 2025, at the college in As Terlaje, Saipan. Also pictured are college staff.
Tinian Mayor Edwin Aldan, seated second left, welcomes Hiroshima Prefectural Assembly delegates on Jan. 24, 2025, in the Triple J conference room in Tinian, The Marianas. Also pictured are members of the Tinian Municipal Council and management and staff of the Mayor’s Office and Marianas Visitors Authority.
On Jan. 24, 2025, Japanese businesspersons meet with the Commonwealth Economic Development Authority in Saipan to learn about business opportunities and tax incentives in The Marianas.
