PHOENIX, AZ (May 26, 2026) – Building on record international activity and historic foreign investments, the Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA), will lead an economic and innovation-focused delegation to Japan, the Republic of Korea, and Taiwan from May 27 through June 3. The visit underscores Arizona’s accelerating international momentum and the state’s expanding leadership in the global technology ecosystem.

 

The delegation will begin in Tokyo and Kumamoto Prefecture in Japan before traveling to Seoul in the Republic of Korea. For the final leg, the ACA will be joined by 20 Arizona partners in Taipei and Kaohsiung City, Taiwan, for meetings with government, business, academic, and innovation leaders. 

 

In Tokyo, the ACA will meet with the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC), Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), and JETRO to strengthen collaboration around investment, trade, and semiconductor supply chains. The agency will also engage with Plug and Play Japan, Tokyo Innovation Base/Cambridge Innovation Center, and the Life Science Innovation Network Japan (LINK‑J) to expand partnerships in startup acceleration, university collaboration, and biotech innovation. 

 

In Kumamoto Prefecture, the ACA will meet with regional innovation and startup leaders, as well as Vice Governor Shingi Takeuchi, and visit Kumamoto’s growing semiconductor hub—including Mitsui Fudosan’s Science Park. 

 

In Seoul, the ACA will meet with global technology leaders and participate in the Arizona x Korea Innovation Launchpad – a seminar connecting Korean innovators with Arizona’s ecosystem. 

 

In Kaohsiung City, Taiwan, the delegation will meet with Mayor Chi mai Chen; visit the Kaohsiung Smart Transportation Center; participate in a sister city signing ceremony formalizing a new partnership between Southern Arizona and Southern Taiwan; and participate in the opening of COMPUTEX — one of the world’s most significant technology and semiconductor showcases. 

 

“Arizona’s partnerships with Japan, the Republic of Korea, and Taiwan continue to grow with a shared commitment to advancing innovation, economic growth, and workforce excellence,” said Sandra Watson, President and CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority. “This delegation visit will further strengthen collaboration with leaders in each region—strengthening ties in growing sectors such as semiconductors, innovation, and advanced manufacturing.” 

 

Last week, Arizona was selected as one of six state winners of 2026 Economic Development Organization Award by Business Facilities Magazine for the state’s proactive international economic development strategy. 

The ACA operates Arizona Trade and Investment Offices in Japan, Taiwan, the Republic of Korea, Mexico, Canada, Europe, and Israel. These offices serve as platforms to increase economic collaboration and enhance the market reach of Arizona companies.   

Media Contact

Alyssa Tufts, Arizona Commerce Authority, alyssat@azcommerce.com

About the Arizona Commerce Authority
The Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) is the state's leading economic development organization with a streamlined mission to grow and strengthen Arizona's economy. The ACA uses a three-pronged approach to advance the overall economy: attract, expand, create - attract out-of-state companies to establish operations in Arizona; work with existing companies to expand their business in Arizona and beyond; and help entrepreneurs create new Arizona businesses in targeted industries. For more information, please visit azcommerce.com and follow the ACA on X @azcommerce.