The reaffirmation of Alberta’s and Hokkaido’s sister province relationship took place in a ceremonial signing between Deputy Premier Mike Ellis and Vice-Governor Shinichi Hamasaka of Hokkaido, Japan as part of the Vice-Governor’s official visit to the province from May 21 to 24.
The Vice-Governor’s visit follows Premier Smith’s successful mission to Japan in April, where she focused on strengthening key partnerships that will open new doors for Alberta companies and lay the foundation for long-term investment and energy security.
Vice Governor Hamasaka and Premier Smith during Premier’s April 2025 mission to Japan.
“Alberta and Hokkaido have enjoyed a productive and visionary relationship that has helped support our people, jobs and profound economic growth in both our regions for more than four decades and counting. This is something that I was able to experience first-hand when I met with officials, businesses and industry in Hokkaido and Japan last month. Alberta is honoured to welcome Vice-Governor Hamasaka to our province to show him the warm hospitality our province is known for, and further build on a friendship and partnership that Albertans hold very dear.”
“This monumental occasion is not just an opportunity to look back at our shared achievements, but to forge new partnerships and explore mutually beneficial opportunities together that will secure a future of prosperity for our people, businesses, industries and economies. Alberta’s government looks forward to working with Hokkaido in the months and years in front of us to identify meaningful initiatives.”
“I am delighted to reaffirm the proclamation of friendship and affiliation between Alberta and Hokkaido. Alberta is Hokkaido’s first sister-state relationship, and we consider Alberta a special partner. We have engaged in exchange in many different areas, and in commemorating the 45th anniversary, we aspire to further develop the significance of these exchanges under the mutual cooperation of both our regions.”
Vice Governor Hamasaka and Deputy Premier Ellis following the reaffirmation ceremony on May 22, 2025.
Collaboration under Alberta’s sister province agreement with Hokkaido is focused on enhancing cooperation in areas such as education, sports, agriculture and food, culture, energy and decarbonization, startups and innovation, trade and investment attraction and municipal twinning relationships.
While Alberta’s ties with Hokkaido began in 1972 with an Alberta economic mission to Japan, Alberta and Hokkaido signed their first official affirmation of friendship establishing the sister province relationship on September 5, 1980. Since then, Alberta’s relationship with Hokkaido has been the most active among all its sister-province partnerships.
Quick facts
- Alberta and Hokkaido’s sister province relationship has been a catalyst for several successes over the past four decades including:
- nine additional municipal-level twinning agreements
- numerous sports, educational and museum exchanges
- agricultural partnerships
- industry and business-to-business ties in sectors spanning agrifood, forestry, energy and emerging technologies
- Canada and Japan have been members of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade agreement since 2018.
- Bilateral trade between Alberta and Japan totalled more than $3 billion in 2024.
- In 2024, Japan was Alberta’s third-largest export market, with Alberta’s exports to Japan totalling almost $2.7 billion, and energy exports making up almost $1 billion of that total.
- Alberta has vibrant Japanese community, with approximately about 13,500 Albertans of Japanese descent.
- Alberta’s relationship with Japan is further supported by staff in the Alberta Japan Office in Tokyo. The Alberta Japan Office’s doors swung open for the first time 55 years ago and is the Alberta government’s longest-running international office abroad.
Related news
- Reaching across the Pacific to expand our markets (April 18, 2025)