It was 1985 and Colorado was on the edge of a deep recession. The job numbers were still good, but a number of us who worked for Gov. Dick Lamm knew that a disaster, mostly fueled by real estate speculation, was headed our way.
As we cast around for solutions, Bill Hosokawa, the honorary consul for Japan, brought me a letter that had been written by the president of Pentax. The letter talked about how comments from the governor’s office were damaging our relations with Japan and how our tax policies — the unitary tax — were making us uncompetitive.
We quickly recognized that most other states were focusing on attracting Japanese investment and creating thousands of jobs in the process. In addition, Japan was at that time the largest market for exports from the United States.
Little did I know at the time that Hosokawa had selected me to be the messenger within state government.
Soon we were invited to enter into a sister state relationship with Yamagata Prefecture in northern Japan. Considered to be a farming area with little high tech or industry, it didn’t seem like the best choice. The issue, however, was building a relationship and showing commitment.
I took the request to Gov. Lamm and he graciously approved it. I have always considered him to be one of Colorado’s great governors for this very reason. Even though he’s a person of very strong views, he always gave those of us who worked for him the opportunity to express different or opposing views. As his public statements made clear, he wasn’t enamored of the idea of seeking Japanese investment. Nonetheless, he let me go ahead.
Shortly thereafter, I received an invitation to go to Japan on a “study tour” hosted by the Japanese External Trade Office. That was a life-changing experience. It was also the first opportunity to meet with officials from Yamagata and tell them personally of our interest in this sister state relationship.
During the last year of Lamm’s tenure, I made three additional trips. On one occasion, Hosokawa and I went as guests of Yamagata and did a series of presentations about Colorado. At one meeting, we were asked the meaning of the state motto, “Nil sine numine.” We were unable to answer, but fortunately an older Japanese gentleman stood up and said, “Nothing without providence.”
At another, we were asked to sing the song “Moonlight Over the River Colorado,” a song that Japanese use to practice English but which is totally unknown here. Luckily we had memorized the words in preparation for this happening
The last trip was in late November, 1986, and led by Roy Romer, then the governor-elect. Some six months before the 1986 elections, I went to each of the various candidates for governor and asked if they would be willing to go to Japan right after the election to show that Colorado was serious. All agreed. As a result, we began planning this mission many months before we knew who the actual governor would be.
This was critical because we knew the relationship could no longer muddle along with me, a Cabinet member, as its leader. The new governor would have to take charge.
Romer was tremendous. After business meetings in Tokyo, we went to Yamagata for an extraordinary celebration. A band played “When the Saints Come Marching In.” Our Japanese hosts cheered, “Banzai, banzai!” (“What is going on?” Romer whispered to me nervously. “Just keep smiling, ” I answered.)
That’s old history now, but the relationship continues to thrive. And thanks to that quiet but tireless visionary, Bill Hosokawa, thousands of Colorado jobs have resulted from our commitment to Japan. I also want to thank Lamm and Romer, without whose support and approval, this never would have happened. When the 25th anniversary is celebrated in Denver on Aug. 6, it is my hope that their names will be remembered.
Morgan Smith is a former state legislator and former executive director of the Colorado Department of Local Affairs.
