Mie Gov. Eikei Suzuki, selected as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum this year, is trying to promote his prefecture on the global stage.
He has visited 10 countries in Asia, Europe and the Americas since he took over the prefecture's top position in April 2011, to discuss economics, academic collaborations, exchanges and other subjects.
"Mie Prefecture has the highest growth potential in Japan. It also has Ise Jingu Shrine, the origin of Japanese spirit. I use those sales points to promote Mie to the world," Suzuki told The Japan Times at the prefecture's satellite office in Tokyo.