In October, Portland Japanese Garden was delighted to participate in a trade mission led by Oregon Governor Tina Kotek. As was reported by The Oregonian earlier in the year, Governor Kotek had traveled overseas to Japan and South Korea “to expand opportunities for trade and tourism between the state and the countries.” Included in this itinerary was a meeting between Aimee Kotek Wilson, First Lady of Oregon and Misako Ito, Executive Director of the Garden’s Japan Office in Tokyo. Ito and the First Lady discussed cultural ties between Oregon and Japan and Portland Japanese Garden’s position as a bridge in this diplomatic pursuit.
“I chatted with the First Lady about Portland Japanese Garden’s role as a gateway to both Japanese and Americans looking to visit on another’s nations, and to immerse in Japanese cultural settings,” shares Ito. “The First Lady had visited the Garden before its 2017 expansion and mentioned she was amazed how it has grown both as an attraction and as a thought leader in demonstrating how Japanese gardens can be healing, soothing, and energizing places.”
Later in the visit, Ito was tapped to emcee a reception for Governor Kotek’s visiting delegation at the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo. “Governor Kotek mentioned that this was her second visit to Japan—in fact, her first international trip had been to Gifu Prefecture when she was 15!” recalls Ito. “The Governor noted that this trip, which included a meeting with Toyama Prefecture Governor Hachiro Nitta, was a pleasant one. As some may recall, Toyama Prefecture is Oregon’s sister state. Governor Kotek also shared that she and her delegation visited businesses with connections to Oregon, including Smith Teamaker in Shibuya.”
“It was a distinct pleasure and honor to participate in this valuable trade mission,” concludes Ito. “I think that Portland Japanese Garden was included speaks to the vital role our organization is playing in building, maintaining, and strengthening ties between the U.S. and Japan.”
