Soon after Gov. Deukmejian disclosed plans to...

Soon after Gov. Deukmejian disclosed plans to open a California trade office in Mexico City, directors of the state’s two other trade offices in Tokyo and London were making first-year progress reports.

James R. Phillips, who heads the London office, and James B. Vaughn of the Tokyo office said they found widespread interest abroad in trading and investing in California. The declining dollar has helped to generate more interest, they said during a recent visit.

The two offices have amassed extensive libraries on California trade and investment data, and organized industry shows to publicize firms in the state.

Vaughn estimated that one Japanese company per week decides to make a major investment in California either in manufacturing, distribution or research and development. He said interest in California exports range from log homes to edible flowers.