As you drive into Downtown Seattle, you might have noticed the slogan on the I-90 tunnel overpass that says: "Seattle the Portal to the Pacific." Its internet connotation would probably be the first thing that would come to mind for Doug Schwartz and David Keller of keystroke.com. The two internet executives from the online mortgage lending company were part of a three-day delegation trip to Japan.

The trip, sponsored by the Japan-America Society, involved an overview of business opportunities in the Japan E-Commerce market. According to an online report filed by the delegation, two of their main interests were the rise of Japan's young entrepreneur - the "Bit Valley" phenomenon and wireless internet usage in Japan.

Andrew Goodman, an Ontario-based writer and political scientist who covers the portal scene for traffick.com, told seattle.internet.com that he believes the business opportunities available abroad to internet infrastructure companies are staggering. "The breakneck pace of expansion in Asia - a "virgin" market where first mover advantage and customer acquisition are still all the rage - gives the "action" we crave," says Goodman.

If you are interested in learning more about the Japan internet market, you should attend the upcoming High Technology JASIG on June 8th at the World Trade Center from 7:30am to 9:00am. It's panel will feature members of the recent delegation.

According to a spokesperson for the Seattle Japan-America Society, the organization is looking into the possibility of forming another E-Commerce delegation to Japan.