Japan ‘s state minister of agriculture, forestry and fisheries sees promise in future trade with Arkansas, even if only in small bites.
Why it matters: Minister Norikazu Suzuki’s purview includes not only rice, but also rural tourism, and the country’s culturally significant, globally influential cuisine.
State of play: Suzuki and his entourage toured Northwest Arkansas last week with Phil Libin, a co-founder of the virtual restaurant Bentoville and CEO of All Turtles, and Hitoshi Hokamura of All Turtles.
- Through an interpreter, Suzuki told Axios his team decided to visit NWA because of its growth trajectory and the potential business opportunities between his ministry and the state.
- No official agreements were struck, although the visit could lay the groundwork for more economic and goodwill trade between the Natural State and the land of the rising sun.
Norikazu Suzuki, head of Japan’s ministry of agriculture, forestry and fisheries, in Bentonville. Photo: Worth Sparkman/Axios