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Japanese lawmaker, businessmen arrive today
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Posted on Mar 16 2000
Lawmakers are set to meet today and honor a member of Diet, Japan’s parliament, who is visiting the CNMI to strengthen ties with local officials.
Tokuo Yamashita leads a delegation from Tokyo that includes Tsuneo Shimoji, chairman of Japanese Entrepreneur President’s Association (JEPA) and other officials and members of the group during the three-day visit.
Others in the delegation include Kyoko Yamashita, Rei Yamashita and Daisuku Matsumura of JEPA, according Rep. Norman S. Palacios.
Members of both the House and the Senate will confer a legislative resolution expressing the island’s gratitude for their efforts to enhance bilateral relations between Japan and the CNMI in such areas as trade and culture.
“It’s an opportunity for us to invite [Japanese businessmen] to come in and risk their investment in the Commonwealth,” said House Speaker Benigno R. Fitial.
Mr. Palacios, chair of the Federal and Foreign Relations Committee, laid out preparation for the Japanese delegation’s visit, along with Representatives Florencio T. De Leon Guerrero and William S. Torres.
The House recently adopted a resolution endorsing the formation of the Japan/Northern Mariana Islands Parliamentary League of Friendship that will seek to strengthen relations between the two legislatures.
It will specifically promote the long-standing goodwill, friendship, social, economic and cultural bonds between the Japanese and CNMI peoples.
The league was created during the administration of former Gov. Larry I. Guerrero and its reactivation at this time will allow the CNMI to seek assistance from JEPA which has more than 15,000 members to help the island in many sectors, including business and culture.
