Gov. JB Pritzker is leaving Saturday for a six-day trip to Japan aimed at bolstering Illinois’ economic ties with the country in fields like clean energy and quantum computing.
Pritzker is leading the trade mission, along with 49 top administration officials and Illinois business leaders, including Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside, Illinois Senate President Don Harmon, D-Oak Park, Related Midwest President Curt Bailey and ComEd CEO Gil Quiniones. Former DNC Host Committee Chair Christy George, who is now leading Intersect Illinois, rounds out the list of the state’s power players on the trip.
Related Midwest last month announced the development of Illinois Quantum & Microelectronics Park, a 128-acre quantum campus anchored by PsiQuantum on the former U.S. Steel South Works site. Related Midwest is also trying to win support for building a new White Sox stadium at The 78 site in the South Loop, an effort that has thus far not caught any traction, especially with Pritzker.
The governor’s office said the Japan trip will focus on clean energy, manufacturing, life sciences and quantum computing.
Pritzker plans to visit with former Mayor Rahm Emanuel, President Joe Biden’s U.S. ambassador to Japan. Both Pritzker and Emanuel have been bringing attention — and research funds — to support the experimental field of quantum research, which they believe is essential for national security.
Pritzker took a four-day mission trip to Canada in June. He also spent seven days in Great Britain in July 2023 in a mission trip focused on clean energy and technology advancements. He traveled to Davos, Switzerland, in January 2023 to speak at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting and promote the state’s achievements.
The governor’s office said Pritzker and the group will leave for Japan on Saturday and return on Thursday, Oct. 10.
Mayor Brandon Johnson on Friday also announced he would join World Business Chicago in London later in October to help strengthen Chicago’s “global presence” and bolster economic development.
