Archives West Finding Aid

In 1909, at the invitation of the Seattle Chamber of Commerce and the Associated Chambers of Commerce of the Pacific Coast, a group of more than fifty of Japan's leading businessmen toured 53 cities in the United States over the course of three months. Led by Eiichi Shibusawa, who was Japan's most prominent business leader, the purpose of this trip was to increase Japanese knowledge of American business and to improve relations between Japan and the United States (which had been strained particularly as a result of Japan's victory in the Russo-Japanese War, as well as immigration and labor concerns) and to encourage trade and commerce between the two nations.

Following their departure from Yokohama, Japan on August 19, 1909, the Commission arrived in Seattle on September 1, where they attended the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition. After travelling throughout the country to cities including Portland, New York, Denver, and Los Angeles, the Commission left Honolulu on December 6. In addition to visiting sites such as chambers of commerce, power plants, mines, schools, libraries, and more, the Commission also met with American leaders including J.P. Morgan, Thomas Edison, and President William Taft.