On June 11th, a delegation from Kobe joined KTIO’s Director Tetsuya Sometani in assisting Mayor Kizō Hisamoto with a visit to San Francisco, Silicon Valley, and Seattle. Mayor Hisamoto has come to the West Coast with a deep interest in collaboration between aerospace, biomedical, IT, and community programs in both Washington state and California. Since arriving on the 11th, Mayor Hisamoto has met with numerous organizations and progressive thinkers–including Apple, startup investment organization “500 Startups,” and Seattle’s own Mayor Ed Murray. Mayors Hisamoto and Murray met for the signing of an agreement that will foster partnership and exchange between Seattle and Kobe’s aerospace and IT industries.
Mayor Hisamoto, the Kobe delegation, and KTIO Director Tetsuya Sometani have returned to San Francisco to meet with the San Francisco Japanese consulate; exchange with San Francisco’s Mayor Ed Lee; participate in San Francisco’s City Innovation Summit; and much more.
Check back periodically for updates, photos, and videos from Mayor Hisamoto’s visit to San Francisco and Seattle. Read on for a photo stream of Mayor Hisamoto’s activities from the 11th through the 15th.
Mayor Hisamoto (2nd on left) and members of the Kobe delegation at Apple in Cupertino, CA
Mayor Hisamoto (3rd from right) and members of the Kobe delegation stand with Zafer Younis, a Venture Partner at 500 Startups
Mayor Hisamoto tours the Ferry Building and local farmer’s market in San Francisco, CA
Mayor Hisamoto and the Kobe delegation explore the local market of San Francisco’s Ferry Building
Mayor Hisamoto visits a “Hackathon” at San Francisco International Airport–an event where local computer programmers joined together to innovate and improve upon travel apps
Mayor Hisamoto learning more about the “Hackathon” project at San Francisco International Airport
Seattle’s Mayor Ed Murray and Mayor Hisamoto signing an agreement of exchange between Seattle and Kobe’s aerospace and IT industries
Seattle Mayor Ed Murray and Mayor Hisamoto shake hands after signing the Letter of Intent for business exchange
Mayors Murray and Hisamoto after the signing the Letter of Intent at City Hall, Seattle, WA