This Web page has been archived on the Web

Information identified as archived is provided for reference, research or recordkeeping purposes. It is not subject to the Government of Canada Web Standards and has not been altered or updated since it was archived. Please contact us to request a format other than those available.

Minister Fast Visits Tokyo Lumber Terminal

Photo: (left to right) Mackenzie Clugston, Canada’s Ambassador to Japan; Senator David Tkachuk; Noriyuki Mita, President of Tokyo Lumber Terminal Co. Ltd.; Minister of State Wong; Minister Fast.


April 11, 2013, Tokyo, Japan - The Honourable Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway, tours the Tokyo Lumber Terminal pier with Noriyuki Mita, President of Tokyo Lumber Terminal Co. Ltd. This year marks the Tokyo Lumber Terminal’s 40th anniversary.

The Harper government’s efforts to deepen Canada’s trade and investment ties in the fast-growing Asia-Pacific region are being facilitated by our strategic investments and partnerships in building the Asia-Pacific Gateway.

This initiative is helping to increase Canadian exports and position Canada as the “gateway of choice” between Asia and North America. In fact, Canada’s west coast ports are over two days closer to Asian markets than any other ports in North America—which can save an estimated $250,000 in shipping costs per day.

In 2012, 35 percent (2.3 million cubic metres) of Japan’s total imports of lumber came from Canada, $700-million worth of which was shipped through Canada’s Asia-Pacific Gateway.

Minister Fast and the Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors), are leading a five-day trade mission to advance the interests of Canadian businesses in China and Japan. Increased trade will in turn lead to more jobs and greater prosperity in Canada.

For more information, please consult Deepening Trade with Asia.

Download this photo.

For further information, media representatives may contact:

Rudy Husny
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Ed Fast
Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway
613-992-7332

Trade Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
613-996-2000
Follow us on Twitter: @Canada_Trade