In the heart of the Pacific Ocean, where East meets West, Hawaiʻi serves as more than just a tropical paradise. The fiftieth state stands as a living bridge between cultures, economies, and shared aspirations. The relationship between Hawaiʻi and Japan transcends typical diplomatic ties, weaving together over a century of immigration, cultural fusion, and economic interdependence into something far more profound: a blueprint for how nations can grow stronger together.

Today, as global challenges demand innovative partnerships, Hawaiʻi’s bond with Japan offers compelling lessons in collaboration. Japanese Americans represent one of the state’s largest ethnic communities, while Japan remains a pillar of Hawaiʻi’s tourism economy, yet beneath these statistics lies a deeper story of families united by values and communities that have transformed historical ties into a foundation for future prosperity. Bridges Magazine spoke with Governor Josh Green to explore how Hawaiʻi is strengthening these historic connections while charting a course for future collaboration.

Bridges: Hawaiʻi and Japan share an extraordinary relationship rooted in deep historical ties, rich cultural exchange, and robust economic partnership. From your perspective, what elements of this connection make it such a defining and enduring cornerstone of Hawaiʻi’s strategic future?

Governor Josh Green: Japanese immigration to Hawaiʻi began in the late 19th century and today, Japanese Americans form one of the largest ethnic groups in the state. Initiatives like sister-city relationships, international student programs and cultural festivals foster the ongoing cultural exchange. Additionally, Japan is one of Hawaiʻi’s top tourism markets and Japanese visitors contribute significantly to the local economy. What makes the relationship between Hawaiʻi and Japan extraordinary is our shared values and a collaborative vision for the future—prioritizing our people, place and culture—from heritage and education to sustainability and innovation.

Your diplomatic mission to Japan in September 2024 represented a significant landmark in strengthening bilateral relations. What concrete progress or developments since that visit best demonstrate its impact on advancing Hawaiʻi-Japan partnerships?

In Fukuoka, I met with Governor Seitaro Hattori and signed a memorandum of understanding called One Health. The tenet of One Health is to mutually promote human, social, environmental and animal well-being. This has led to One Health being a major component of the Hawaiʻi-Japan Sister Summit that will be held in Honolulu in May 20-22, 2026.

In February, you and Consul General Kodama formalized the Action Plan to streamline visitor entry processes from Japan to Hawaiʻi. How do you envision this agreement reshaping the landscape of Japanese tourism to our islands, and what complementary measures are under consideration to sustainably support and enhance this growth?

We have Global Entry and Mobile Passport Control (MPC) in place and the state of Hawaiʻi is actively promoting these programs to facilitate expedited entry for Japanese visitors. Educating travelers about the application process and encouraging greater usage of these programs benefits both sides. I will continue to work with our local government, federal government and Japan government to explore ways to make the entry into Hawaiʻi for Japanese visitors as efficient and pleasant as possible.

Looking ahead, beyond tourism and formal agreements, what initiatives are you supporting to strengthen everyday connections between Hawaiʻi’s local communities and Japanese residents, students, and businesses? Furthermore, what future areas of cooperation between Hawaiʻi and Japan are you most excited to explore?

Hawaiʻi has long fostered strong cultural, educational and economic ties with Japan and several initiatives continue to strengthen everyday connections including ongoing support of government and diplomatic relations with the Consulate General of Japan; supporting youth and educational exchange programs; participating in cultural events and festivals; and engaging with the East-West Center, Japan-America Society of Hawaiʻi and other community and business organizations. In 2023, the first Japan-Hawaiʻi Sister State & Sister City Summit was held in Honolulu with the theme, “The Ties That Bind.” The Governors, Mayors and designated representatives of our sister prefectures, cities and towns in Japan and I, along with the Mayors of the City & Counties of Honolulu, Kauaʻi, Maui and Hawaiʻi, participated. We discussed common issues and opportunities for further collaboration and mutual benefit, including education, sustainable energy, sustainable tourism, sustainable agriculture and cross-border commerce. I am excited to explore even more areas at the Hawaiʻi-Japan Sister Summit in Honolulu in May 2026.

One of the most enduring people-to-people connections has been the relationship between the U.S. Army’s Wolfhounds, the Peace Bridge Foundation, and the Holy Family Home orphanage in Osaka. For more than seven decades, Hawaiʻi soldiers and families have supported the orphanage through exchange visits and humanitarian aid—a bond that began in the aftermath of war and has grown into a symbol of friendship, reconciliation and aloha across generations.

As the world grows increasingly complex and interconnected, the Hawaiʻi-Japan partnership stands as proof that meaningful relationships transcend mere economic transactions or political convenience. Under Governor Green’s leadership, this alliance is evolving into a model for how shared values, cultural respect, and collaborative innovation can address the defining challenges of our time, from the groundbreaking One Health initiative to streamlined travel processes that honor both security and hospitality.

Perhaps most importantly, this partnership recognizes that true prosperity flows not from what we can extract from relationships, but from what we can build together. In an era when division often makes headlines, the Hawaiʻi-Japan alliance quietly demonstrates that our greatest strength lies in extending our hands across the Pacific, creating bridges that will carry both nations toward a more sustainable, prosperous, and connected future.