Mayor Gloria in Japan to Honor 70 Years of San Diego-Yokohama Partnership, Advance New Investment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, September 8, 2026

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SAN DIEGO - Mayor Todd Gloria is in Japan this week to celebrate the 70th anniversary of San Diego's Sister City relationship with Yokohama and lead efforts to build on seven decades of friendship by attracting new investment and economic opportunities to the San Diego region.

Mayor Gloria is joined by Congressman Scott Peters and more than 40 business, civic and academic leaders for a World Trade Center San Diego trade mission focused on strengthening partnerships in sectors where San Diego and Japan share complementary strengths, including life sciences, semiconductors and artificial intelligence, defense and maritime technology, fusion energy and urban development.

"For 70 years, San Diego and Yokohama have built a friendship that has brought our communities closer together, and now we have an opportunity to build on that foundation for the future," said Mayor Todd Gloria. "Japan is one of San Diego's most important economic partners. We're here to celebrate this historic relationship, sell San Diego and build partnerships that can bring new investment, good-paying jobs and opportunities home to our region."

Japan has invested billions of dollars in the San Diego region over the past decade and has a significant presence in the region's innovation economy. The trade mission is showcasing San Diego as a destination for companies seeking access to world-class research institutions, a highly skilled workforce, a thriving innovation ecosystem and the broader binational economy shared with Tijuana.

During the mission, Mayor Gloria and the delegation are meeting with Japanese business and government leaders to advance investment and collaboration in key industries. The Mayor is participating in an Invest in San Diego reception with prospective investors and engaging government, business and academic leaders on opportunities in life sciences, technology, maritime industries and urban development.

The Mayor also visited the U.S. Naval Base at Yokosuka, where he met with the Commander of U.S. Naval Forces Japan and discussed the economic and national security ties connecting San Diego and the Indo-Pacific.

A centerpiece of the trip is the 70th anniversary of San Diego's Sister City relationship with Yokohama, one of the longest-standing international municipal partnerships in the world. Mayor Gloria addressed the Yokohama City Council and met with city leaders as San Diego and Yokohama reaffirmed their commitment to continued economic, educational, cultural and civic cooperation.

The Mayor's schedule also includes a meeting with the Governor of Tokyo and meetings and events in Tokyo and Osaka focused on investment, economic development and urban revitalization. He will visit Hiroshima, where he is scheduled to meet with the Mayor of Hiroshima and visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Museum.

Mayor Gloria departed San Diego on Sept. 5 and will return Sept. 13. The formal World Trade Center San Diego trade mission runs through Sept. 11.

The Mayor's travel expenses for the trade mission are being covered by the San Diego Leadership Fund, a nonprofit organization supporting the delegation. No City General Fund dollars are being used for the Mayor's travel.

The trade mission is organized by World Trade Center San Diego, the international team at the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation, with support from the U.S. Embassy in Japan.

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