Japan-US Relations
2016/10/6
I. Japanese Residents in Florida
The number of Japanese nationals in Florida is increasing. As of April 2016, over 9,600 Japanese were registered at the Consulate-General of Japan in Miami. According to the 2010 official census, there were 13,224 people of Japanese descent living in Florida.
II. Trade
Japan is one of Florida’s top trading partners and trade between the regions is steadily increasing. Top imported merchandise from Japan to Florida includes vehicles and machinery, while top exported merchandise from Florida to Japan are citrus fruit and fertilizers. Japan is the 19th leading destination of Florida-origin exports.
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Florida’s Leading Trade Partners, 2015 |
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| 1. | Brazil |
18.6
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| 2. | China |
9.3
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| 3 | Colombia |
8.3
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| 4. | Japan |
7.0
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| 5. | Chile |
6.8
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| 6. | Dominican Republic |
5.7
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| 7. | Mexico |
5.3
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| 8. | Honduras |
4.7
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| 9. | Germany |
4.7
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| 10. | Peru |
4.1
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Source: Enterprise Florida
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Florida's Trade with Japan (millions of dollars) |
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Imports
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Exports
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| 2015 | 6,405 | 559 |
| 2014 | 5,844 | 587 |
| 2013 | 6,240 | 641 |
| 2012 | 6,722 | 596 |
| 2011 | 5,650 | 673 |
Source: Enterprise Florida
III. Japanese Companies in Florida
Japanese companies play an important role in Florida's economy. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, in 2013 there were over 194 Japanese companies directly creating over 25,900 jobs in Florida. Recently, Florida has witnessed an increase of Japanese investments. Japanese companies are predominantly present in industries of wholesale trade, manufacturing, and services including tourism. In addition, Japan's brand products in wide-ranging fields, are transported, sold and repaired extensively by many Floridians engaged in various sectors, thus contributing to job expansion in the state of Florida. A list of Japanese companies operationg in Florida can be found at the following webpage from Enterprise Florida.
Source: Enterprise Florida
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Japanese Investment in Florida (billions of current dollars) |
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| 2008 | 4.1 |
| 2007 | 4.2 |
| 2006 | 3.8 |
| 2005 | 3.0 |
| 2004 |
2.0
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Source: Enterprise Florida
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Japanese Affiliated Employment in Florida (thousand employees) |
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| 2013 | 25.9 |
| 2012 | 21.8 |
| 2011 | 21.7 |
| 2010 | 20.6 |
IV. Floridian Companies in Japan
With the easing of regulations, many Florida companies are successfully doing business in Japan. Florida companies are finding opportunities in areas such as advanced technology, food, hardware and other industries. The Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) can assist companies interested in doing business in Japan.
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Select Florida Companies in Japan |
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Citrix Systems
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Sports Authority
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Burger King
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Office Depot
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Outback Steakhouse
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Red Lobster
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Tony Romas
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Tupperware
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Hard Rock Cafe
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Hooters
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V. SEUS-Japan
Southeast U.S.-Japan joint meetings have been held every year since 1976, alternating the meeting sites between Japan and the Southeastern United States. Please click here for more information on the Florida Delegation, SOUTHEAST U.S./ JAPAN Association, Inc.
VI. Tourism
Accordings to VisitFlorida.com, 278,000 Japanese tourists visited Florida in 2012.
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Number of Japanese Tourists to Florida |
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| 2012 | 278,000 |
| 2011 | 267,000 |
| 2010 | 241,000 |
| 2009 | 174,000 |
| 2008 | 150,000 |
VII. Culture
There is a significant amount of cultural exchange between Florida and Japan. In 2016, 45 young college graduates from Florida participated in the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program to teach English in Japanese schools. There are ten sister-city relationships and one sister-state relationship between Florida and Japan which promote friendship through exchange programs and other activities. The Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens has been a center for Japanese arts and culture in Florida, with rotating exhibitions in its galleries, tea ceremonies performed monthly in its Seishin-an tea house, an educational outreach program with local schools and organizations, and Japanese traditional festivals celebrated for the public several times a year.
| Florida – Japan Sister State / Cities / Parks | |||
| Region in Japan | Region in US | Relationship | Date Established |
| Wakayama | Florida | Sister States | Oct. 4, 1995 |
| Fujisawa | Miami Beach | Sister Cities | Mar. 5, 1959 |
| Gero (formerly Hagiwara) | Pensacola | Sister Cities | Mar. 27, 1998 |
| Kagoshima | Miami | Sister Cities | May 24, 1990 |
| Imabari | Lakeland | Sister Cities | July 6, 1995 |
| Miyazu | Delray Beach | Sister Cities | Sept. 29, 1977 |
| Nagano | Clearwater | Sister Cities | Mar. 14, 1959 |
| Takamatsu | St. Petersburg | Sister Cities | Oct. 2, 1961 |
| Kami (formerly Tosayamada) |
Largo | Sister Cities | July 1969 |
| Urayasu | Orlando | Sister Cities | Oct. 23, 1989 |
| Sapporo Park | Miami | Sister Parks | |