DBEDT Strengthens Partnership With Leading Japanese Retailer Hankyu
Hawaiʻi's economic development agency has renewed its cooperation agreement with Hankyu Hanshin Department Stores. The deal backs Hawaiʻi-made products in Japan, where the 2026 Hankyu Hawaiʻi Fair in Osaka generated more than $3.8 million in gross sales from more than 80 companies.
The Hawaiʻi Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT) strengthens its partnership with leading Japanese retailer Hankyu Hanshin Department Stores, Inc. after both sides signed a reaffirmation of their cooperation agreement in Osaka. The aim is to help Hawaiʻi businesses promote products to Japanese consumers and grow international sales.
DBEDT Director James Kunane Tokioka and Hiraku Yamashita, general manager of event planning and marketing at Hankyu Umeda Main Store in Osaka, signed the document. The original agreement was first executed in 2024.
It commits both sides to promote authentic Hawaiʻi-made products and strengthen business ties between Hawaiʻi and the retailer.
The partnership has helped local companies reach Japanese shoppers through the annual Hankyu Hawaiʻi Fair, Japan's largest Hawaiʻi-themed retail event. The fair has a 12-year history. The 2026 edition featured more than 80 Hawaiʻi companies and generated more than $3.8 million in gross sales over 12 days in Osaka.
Tokioka said the arrangement gives island firms a way to win new customers. "This partnership creates valuable opportunities for Hawaiʻi businesses to reach new customers, grow their brand in Japan and showcase the culture, quality and spirit of Hawaiʻi," he said.
He also pointed to foot traffic. More than 300,000 people pass Hankyu's window displays each day, Tokioka said, which gives local businesses and Hawaiʻi as a destination visibility.
Seminar and trade show
After the signing ceremony, DBEDT hosted a seminar and trade show. It connected Hawaiʻi entrepreneurs with Hankyu buyers and event planners ahead of the July 2027 Hankyu Hawaiʻi Fair.
During the seminar, Hankyu representatives shared insights into Japanese consumer preferences and retail trends. They also explained how businesses are selected to take part in the annual fair.
The afternoon trade show featured 22 Hawaiʻi businesses, artists and brands. They showed locally made food products, artwork, fashion and other merchandise for consideration at the 2027 event.
Yamashita said Japanese interest in Hawaiʻi products remains strong. "We continue to see strong interest among Japanese consumers in products that reflect Hawaiʻi's culture, creativity and lifestyle that respects tradition," he said.
Support for local makers
Beyond direct sales, DBEDT's collaboration with Hankyu helps Hawaiʻi businesses build relationships with Japanese buyers. It also gives them insight into consumer preferences and helps them identify opportunities to develop products for the Japanese market.
The initiative supports DBEDT's broader efforts to strengthen Hawaiʻi's manufacturing and value-added product sectors.
Through its Food and Product Innovation Network and other business development programs, DBEDT provides entrepreneurs with resources to develop and refine products, prepare for market entry and pursue new sales. These efforts include support for businesses in the ʻĀina to Mākeke incubator, the Wahiawā Value-Added Product Development Center and the Maui Food Innovation Center.
Each year the Hankyu Hawaiʻi Fair attracts more than 300,000 shoppers during its 12-day event at the Hankyu Umeda Main Store in Osaka. Yamashita said Hankyu looks forward to "building on the success of the Hawaiʻi Fair."
