ST. PAUL — Gov. Tim Pawlenty is departing on a trade mission to China and Japan.
The Republican governor leaves from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport on Thursday. He is leading a 48-member delegation that includes business and community leaders and government officials.
The focus of the trip is on building economic ties between Minnesota businesses and the world's second and third largest economies. It is likely Pawlenty's last overseas trade mission before he leaves office in January.
The itinerary includes stops in Shanghai and Tokyo.
