Polis meets with Japanese ambassador in push to grow aerospace, quantum

DENVER (KDVR) — Colorado’s governor hosted the Japanese ambassador to the U.S. on Monday in a push to strengthen cooperation in the space, quantum and climate industries.

The office of Gov. Jared Polis touted Japan and Colorado as “strong economic and diplomatic partners” and said he and Ambassador Shigeo Yamada discussed strengthening the relationship.

“Colorado’s strong relationship with Japan boosts our thriving economy by creating new investment opportunities and jobs for Coloradans,” Polis said in a statement. “I am pleased to welcome Ambassador Yamada and showcase our state as a great place to do business.”

Polis told the ambassador that four Colorado space companies will travel to the Tokyo Airshow in October with state support, his office announced. The governor also “welcomed” Japanese cooperation with the Elevate Quantum Tech Hub and the Colorado-Wyoming Climate Resilience Engine .

Colorado has been pursuing economic growth in its relationship with Japan. The ambassador’s Monday visit to the Governor’s Residence at Boettcher Mansion follows a 2023 trip of Colorado business delegates to explore investment opportunities in Japan and discuss aerospace, renewable energy, innovation, research and entrepreneurship.

The governor first met Yamada at a February meeting of the National Governors Association, according to his office.

Japan is Colorado’s 7th-largest export market

In a statement, Yamada said about 80 Japanese companies have been doing business in Colorado in areas like trade, renewable energy, smart-city, medical and space.

“Space startups operating here are expected to advance our collaboration between Japan and Colorado even further,” Yamada said in the statement released by the governor’s office. “I look forward to strengthening these ties by leveraging innovation and entrepreneurship in the private sector, as well as fostering people-to-people exchanges, including at the municipality level.”

Japan is Colorado’s seventh-largest export market, including meat, optical and electrical equipment, according to the governor’s office. About 10,000 Coloradans are employed because of about $3.4 billion in investment from Japanese firms, primarily in biotechnology and aerospace.

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