More than 120 aerospace and other technology industry professionals met with Long Beach and Japanese officials last week for an event intended to strengthen global partnerships and regional economic growth.
The event, dubbed “Long Beach – Japan: A Space, Aerospace and Advanced Technology,” took place on Aug. 12 at the Museum of Latin American Art. It featured representatives from the city’s Department of Economic Development and Opportunity, Invest Long Beach and the Consulate General of Japan in Los Angeles. The nonprofit Invest Long Beach is the city’s private-sector economic development partner.
“Long Beach is helping shape the future of aerospace and advanced technology,” Mayor Rex Richardson said in a press release, “by bringing together leaders, innovators and businesses from across sectors and around the world.”
Japan, meanwhile, is one of Long Beach’s most significant foreign investment partners, Invest Long Beach CEO Courtney Russell said in the press release.
“This collaboration reflects how deeply integrated our economies already are,” Russell said. “Together, we are building a more connected and competitive aerospace economy that will drive discovery, investment and opportunity for generations to come.”
Presentations and panel discussions on trends and emerging technologies featured various industry leaders, including from Mitsubishi, Nikon and Relativity Space. The event included more than 70 chief executives, founders and other leaders from companies such as Boeing, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, Japan Bank for International Cooperation, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, SpaceX and the U.S. Space Force’s Space Systems Command.
The event sought to support innovation, investment and workforce development, fostering collaboration with public and private partners in Japan and beyond.
“While Japan has built strong capabilities in academic research and is ramping up defense, the commercial side still has much room to grow compared to the U.S. and other countries,” Consul General Kosei Murota said in the press release. “My hope is that more Japanese companies take on that challenge.”
Guests toured the Signal Hill headquarters of aerospace company Vast, receiving an inside look at the company’s advancements in commercial space technology and infrastructure like space stations.
One of the country’s fastest-growing hubs of space, aerospace and advanced technology, Long Beach — which, when discussing this industry, refers to itself as “Space Beach” — creates thousands of jobs while advancing sustainable technology. The city is home to more than 36 space and aerospace companies, employing more than 7,000 people in engineering and advanced manufacturing.
“As Space Beach continues to thrive, we are creating new pathways for businesses to invest, expand and drive lasting economic prosperity for our community,” Economic Development Director Bo Martinez said in the press release. “Partnerships like this demonstrate the power of collaboration to spark innovation, strengthen international relations and create new opportunities for businesses, workers and residents.”