Akemi Koda, CEO of USAsia Venture Partners had the honor of sharing my perspective on how sister city programs and businesses can work together in new and meaningful ways.
The reception hosted by the Consulate General of Japan in San Francisco and Consulate General of Japan Los Angeles brought together local elected officials, including state legislators and mayors, along with business and community leaders. What ties us all together is simple: stories. Stories of people, places, and the passions we share.
This California-Japan Sister Cities Fall Workshop & Reception created space for those stories to surface. It sparked conversations about the growing interest in Japan among younger generations and opened the door to new opportunities for collaboration.
By giving people involved in sister city relationships a chance to connect with companies rooted in their communities, we hope to broaden the types of exchanges taking place. At the same time, it gives businesses a chance to meet potential customers who already feel a cultural connection. 
