Premier, Minister and Yukon business delegation conclude Tokyo portion of Asia mission, sign tourism agreement

Premier Ranj Pillai, Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources and Tourism and Culture John Streicker and a Yukon business delegation have concluded business development meetings in Tokyo and signed a tourism agreement with Japanese tour companies. Premier Pillai and the business delegation will continue the Asia mission in the coming days in Trivandrum, India.

As part of the Tokyo portion of the mission, Minister Streicker signed an aurora-viewing flight agreement between the Government of Yukon and two Japan-based tour companies, Hankyu Travel International Co. Ltd. and Maple Fun. The first flight is scheduled for September 14 to 15, 2023. A letter of intent concerning a second flight scheduled for March 2024 was signed at a ceremony in Tokyo on September 12, 2023, and a follow-up, tourism-specific sales mission will take place in Japan in October 2023. This follow-up mission will draw on the contacts made by the Minister in support of Yukon tourism businesses.

While in Tokyo, the Premier met with Chairperson and CEO of Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security (JOGMEC) Ichiro Takahara to discuss natural resources and their shared commitment to stable, sustainable energy sources. The Premier also met with DOWA Metals and Mining Co. Ltd. and joined the business delegation to meet with the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The Premier also met with the President of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Japan Marc Bolduc.

The Premier and Minister met with Japan Overseas Infrastructure Investment (JOIN) Managing Executive Officer Yosuke Watanabe, Canadian Ambassador to Japan Ian McKay, and Japanese Ambassador in charge of Arctic Affairs, International Affairs and International Economic Affairs Keizo Takewaka.

The Minister and Premier also met with Sumitomo Corporation, Nittetsu Mining and Mitsubishi Materials.

The Government of Yukon’s 2023 Asia Mission paves the path towards addressing critical needs in our health care sector, fostering innovation and collaboration in critical minerals and technology and developing mutually beneficial business cooperation.