Florida Senate - 2025                            (NP)    SR 1852
       
       
        
       By Senator Calatayud
       
       
       
       
       
       38-02061-25                                           20251852__
    1                          Senate Resolution                        
    2         A resolution recognizing the importance of Japanese
    3         business, trade, and cultural cooperation with the
    4         State of Florida and encouraging increased diplomatic,
    5         business, and cultural ties with Japan.
    6  
    7         WHEREAS, the State of Florida and Japan share a rapidly
    8  growing political and economic relationship, characterized by
    9  mutual benefits that underscore the importance of this
   10  partnership, and
   11         WHEREAS, the historic ties between Florida and Japan date
   12  back to the early 20th century, beginning with the settlement of
   13  the Yamato Colony by Japanese immigrants in Delray Beach, which
   14  is now the renowned Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens, and
   15         WHEREAS, economic relations between Florida and Japan have
   16  always been good but have experienced many ups and downs, such
   17  as in the 1990s when many leading Japanese banks and companies
   18  that had been actively operating in Florida withdrew; however,
   19  Japanese corporate and financial interests have been returning,
   20  and today Japan is Florida’s second largest source of imports
   21  and a significant investor in the state’s economy, and
   22         WHEREAS, despite the return of numerous Japanese banks and
   23  companies, there remains untapped potential for expanding
   24  economic relations between Florida and Japan, particularly given
   25  Japan’s status as the largest source of foreign investment in
   26  the United States, and
   27         WHEREAS, Governor Ron DeSantis, leading a high-profile
   28  trade mission, visited Japan in April 2023, reinforcing
   29  diplomatic and economic dialogues between Florida and Japanese
   30  officials and business leaders, and
   31         WHEREAS, in October 2023, Florida hosted another successful
   32  trade mission to Japan, during which Secretary of State Cord
   33  Byrd and Japan’s Parliamentary Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs
   34  Masahiro Komura signed a Memorandum of Cooperation to enhance
   35  economic and trade collaboration between the two regions, and
   36         WHEREAS, in December 2023, Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella
   37  Levine Cava led a trade mission to Japan, culminating in the
   38  signing of a Sister Port Agreement between the Port of Miami and
   39  the Port of Yokohama, further solidifying the maritime and
   40  economic connections between the two regions, and
   41         WHEREAS, these recent exchanges and agreements underscore
   42  the accelerating momentum in Florida-Japan relations,
   43  highlighting the significant strides made in business, trade,
   44  and cultural cooperation over the past year, and
   45         WHEREAS, the Florida Legislature encourages strengthening
   46  political, economic, and cultural ties between Florida and
   47  Japan, ensuring continued collaboration and fostering long-term
   48  benefits for both regions, NOW, THEREFORE,
   49  
   50  Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of Florida:
   51  
   52         That the Senate recognizes the importance of Japanese
   53  business, trade, and cultural cooperation with the State of
   54  Florida and encourages increased diplomatic, business, and
   55  cultural ties with Japan.