Despite Japan's prolonged economic slump, Alaska sees new business opportunities with Japan in natural resources and seafood industries, a representative of the state said in Tokyo on Wednesday.

Alaska's exports to Japan, which has long been the state's most important overseas trading partner, reached $1.3 billion in 2000, making up more than half of the state's total exports. Crude oil, LNG, and seafood such as salmon and crab accounted for a major slice of the exports, said Greg Wolf, director of the state government's division of international trade and market development.

Wolf said he expects demand from Japanese trading companies for kelp, octopus and coal to rise.

Investment in Anchorage, which is aiming to become a major logistics center on the back of its geographic advantage, would benefit Japanese cargo companies in cutting distribution costs, Wolf said.

"We remain focused on Japan and we are confident that that commitment will pay in the long term."

Appointed to his current position in July 1998, Wolf came to Japan earlier this week for a short business trip. He oversees the state's international trade and investment promotion programs.