WORLD TRADE CENTER SAN DIEGO CONVENES REGIONAL DELEGATION TO CREATE LOCAL JOBS, EXPAND SAN DIEGO GLOBAL IDENTITY
San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria, Congressman Scott Peters, and World Trade Center San Diego (WTCSD)—the international team at San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation (EDC)—are leading a 2026 trade delegation to Japan. During the September 7–11 trade mission, business, civic, and academic leaders will build partnerships across defense and maritime dual-use technologies, AI and semiconductors, life sciences, and urban development.
As trade policy uncertainty reshapes the global economy, it is more important than ever for San Diego companies and institutions to strengthen ties with trusted international partners. Japan—San Diego’s second-largest foreign investor and a global leader in advanced manufacturing, semiconductors, robotics, shipbuilding, life sciences, and emerging technologies—offers significant opportunities for collaboration with San Diego’s innovation economy. This trade mission will explore new pathways for investment, market access, research collaboration, and business connectivity while reinforcing San Diego’s strategic role in the Indo-Pacific.
“San Diego is open for business, and I’ve seen firsthand what happens when we show up and build relationships around the world,” said Mayor Todd Gloria. “WTCSD trade missions create opportunities to attract investment, support job growth, and open new markets for San Diego businesses. Japan is one of our most important global partners, and as we approach 70 years of friendship between San Diego and Yokohama, we are building on that relationship to bring new investment, partnerships and opportunities home to our region.”
“Now is the time to identify the right global partners to build the future together. Japan’s complementary expertise in developing and scaling critical technologies, along with its decades–long commitment to the San Diego binational region, make it a natural partner in this moment. That’s why we’re returning for our second trade mission to Japan in a decade, to turn momentum into impact here at home,” said Nikia Clarke, executive director of WTCSD and chief strategy officer at EDC.
Over the five-day trade mission in Tokyo, Yokohama, and Osaka, the delegation will pursue new business and institutional partnerships and showcase San Diego as a destination for investment.
Agenda items include:
- Celebrating 70 years of a Sister City partnership between San Diego and Yokohama, including a special address by Mayor Gloria to the Yokohama City Council and meetings with Yokohama’s city council president and other leadership—among other elected officials across the country.
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A visit to the U.S. Naval Base at Yokosuka, the largest naval base outside of the U.S., with deep ties to San Diego
- Advancing semiconductor and AI collaboration through meetings with Japanese industry and academic leaders—including Kyocera, RISE-A, and Yokohama Hardtech Hub—focused on pairing San Diego’s semiconductor design and edge AI strengths with Japan’s manufacturing and materials expertise.
- Driving fusion energy commercialization through a visit to Kyoto Fusioneering, a tour of the University of Osaka’s Institute of Laser Engineering, and discussions with General Atomics, UC San Diego, and Japanese partners on the technologies, infrastructure, and talent needed to commercialize fusion energy.
- Strengthening maritime and shipbuilding partnerships through meetings with Japan’s federal government agencies and the Port of San Diego, General Dynamics NASSCO, SAIC, and emerging defense technology company Firestorm Labs.
- Pitching the San Diego binational region for investment at a Tokyo investment summit spotlighting opportunities in dual-use technology, real estate, and R&D on both sides of the border for an audience of investment-ready companies.
- Deepening cooperation with Japan’s life sciences ecosystem through meetings at Osaka University and Nakanoshima Qross—a next-generation innovation hub bringing together hospitals, startups, researchers, pharmaceutical companies, investors, and government—together with Biocom, San Diego R&D leaders, and investors.
Delegates will participate in more than a dozen meetings, site visits, and networking events throughout the trade mission. The 40+ member, cross-sector San Diego delegation includes representatives from leading innovators Qualcomm, ASML, General Atomics, General Dynamics NASSCO, SAIC, Booz Allen Hamilton, and Mitsubishi Electric Ventures; growing startups Firestorm Labs, La Jolla Labs, Artis BioSolutions, AquaPoro Technologies, and ActivBody; public and civic leaders from the Port of San Diego, San Diego County Regional Airport Authority, Tijuana EDC, SANDAG, San Diego Tourism Authority, San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, and Biocom; research institutions UC San Diego, San Diego State University, and San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance; and more.
“The U.S. is stronger when we work with trusted allies to build more resilient supply chains, strengthen our industrial base, and stay ahead in the technologies that will define our future,” said Congressman Scott Peters. “From shipbuilding and maritime capacity to semiconductors, defense, and fusion energy, this trade mission is about turning strong U.S.-Japan relationships into real economic and national security outcomes for San Diego and the country.”
The trade mission is organized by World Trade Center San Diego, the international team at EDC, with support provided by the U.S. Embassy in Japan, and sponsorship by Ambix Ventures, Ganmi Corporation, Alaska Airlines, SAIC, and San Diego State University.
Learn more about Japan and San Diego’s connection here, and follow along during the trade mission: #SDinJP
WTCSD has previously led trade missions to France, Singapore, South Korea, The Netherlands, Germany, the United Kingdom, Vancouver, and more. This marks WTCSD’s second trade mission to Japan in the past decade.
About World Trade Center San Diego
World Trade Center San Diego (WTCSD) is the international team within San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation (EDC). WTCSD works to further San Diego’s global competitiveness by building an export pipeline, attracting and retaining foreign investment, and increasing San Diego’s global profile abroad. WTCSD.org
For media queries or other questions, contact:
Bree Burris
Sr. Director, Communications & Community Engagement