Japanese delegation explores investment opportunities on Saipan
By Bryan Manabat
Saipan- Tinian and Hiroshima were bound by history, both were grounds of brutal fighting between the United States and Japan, hence equally scarred by the tragedies of World War II.
On Aug. 6, 1945, the Enola Gay left Tinian, carrying the uranium bomb Little Boy for its historic mission to Hiroshima. It was the beginning of the war’s end.
As the saying goes, time heals all wounds. Eighty years later, both islands are seeking final closure.
On Jan. 24, a Japanese delegation comprising members of the Hiroshima Prefectural Assembly and business leaders visited the Northern Marianas, seeking to build stronger ties and explore investment opportunities in the Commonwealth.
Christopher Concepcion, outgoing managing director of the Marianas Visitors Authority, said during his earlier meeting with the Hiroshima Prefectural Assembly, he proposed the establishment of a sister-city relationship between Hiroshima and Tinian.
“Tinian, as we all know, played a crucial role in World War II as the launching point for the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki,” Concepcion said, noting that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the end of WWII.
“They share a unique bond in world history like no other. Sister cities play a key role in tourism, building goodwill and friendship, cultural exchanges and promoting economic cooperation. My point was well received by Hiroshima officials and it culminated in this visit,” he added.
The Hiroshima delegation visited the atomic bomb pits and Runway Able in Tinian, other historic Japanese sites on Saipan and paid courtesy calls to Gov. Arnold Palacios, Lt. Gov. David Apatang, Saipan Mayor Ramon Camacho, Tinian Mayor Edwin Aldan and the MVA office.
“We will now leave the sister city negotiations to the respective mayors as that is under their purview. We are happy to connect them,” Concepcion said.
The delegation included Tetsuya Matsuda, the great-grandson of Jujiro Matusa, founder of the Hiroshima-headquartered Mazda Motor Corp.
“I’ve met him through a mutual friend. Mr. Matsuda was the key person who assisted with the delegation’s visit,” Concepcion said.
“The visit is highly important. It comes at a time when the MVA is working doubly hard to revitalize arrivals from Japan and position us once again as a must-see beach resort destination with long historic ties to Japan,” he added.
According to the MVA Japan office, Japanese travelers prefer other non-U.S. dollar destinations because of the current yen exchange rate.
The CNMI welcomed an annual average of 380,000 Japanese tourists during the industry's peak years until Japan Air pulled out of the Saipan in 2005.
Arrivals from Japan have since declined gradually. In 2024, the CNMI welcomed 14,000 Japanese visitors.
Conception said the delegation visited several areas on Saipan searching for investment opportunities.
“We understand there are serious inquiries about investment opportunities in the CNMI. So we hope the Commonwealth Economic Development Authority, Department of Commerce and all relevant agencies or organizations cooperate and assist with facilitating these potential investments from Japan,” he said.
CEDA’s Qualifying Certificate program offers tax incentives to offshore investors.
“The ultimate goal is to bring more tourists from Japan to the CNMI, and more Japanese investments will help accomplish that," Concepcion said.
Concepcion, who has resigned as MVA head, will be replaced by Jamika Taijeron, the MVA board’s vice chairwoman, on March 1.
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