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Tsukamoto to link Nagoya investors to NMI
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Posted on Jan 10 2006
A former Japan congressman will act as the Fitial administration’s link to Japanese investors in Nagoya, one of the centers of economic activity in Japan.
Saburo Tsukamoto came to the Commonwealth to participate in the inauguration activities and to show his support for the newly installed governor’s economic agenda.
In a press conference yesterday, Tsukamoto said he does not have a particular business he is planning on setting up in the Commonwealth. But he will take his cue from Fitial.
According to the governor, Tsukamoto is a very influential person, highly respected by government and business officials in Japan.
Tsukamoto has been in government service for 30 years. He served as chairman of Japan’s Democratic Socialist Party for 16 years. Tsukamoto was a congressman until four years ago. He is currently writing a book on Japan history and foreign affairs that he said would “guide the Japanese government to the right direction.”
Fitial and Tsukamoto were introduced to each other in Nagoya two years ago by Shigeyoshi Kato, who was serving as special adviser on foreign investment development to the then House Speaker.
Kato is now special adviser to the governor and lieutenant governor.
Fitial and Tsukamoto have since been in contact, but this is the first time they will be working together.
Sharing his thoughts on the CNMI’s economic crisis, Tsukamoto said the Commonwealth would do best if it focused on its tourism industry. Attempts at developing other industries, he said, may fail because the islands have higher wage rates than other countries such India, China and Vietnam.
The beauty of its natural environment is the Commonwealth’s greatest advantage, he said.
He added, however, that in order to succeed, the local tourism industry must offer visitors something that is unique to the CNMI—for instance, a product that cannot be found in its competitors such as Hawaii and Australia.
