Blog: Coming Home with More than Business Cards
Coming Home with More than Business Cards
September 28, 2011
Tonight I wrapped up our eight day trade mission by hosting a reception for nearly 250 of our Japanese friends, business partners, and officials. It truly was the icing on the cake. We were surprised to see Mr. Toyoda at the reception, (the vehicle manufacturer) as we met with him earlier in the day. He flattered us by wearing his State of Indiana tie. The Consul General for the U.S. to Nagoya attended as well. It was a privilege to be able to share the Indiana story one more time.
Before tonight’s reception, we made the most of our last day by traveling three hours from Tokyo to Nagoya. On the way to Nagoya, officials took me into the cockpit of the bullet train and I was able to watch us moving at 270 miles an hour up close and personal.
We went to Nagoya to visit our friends at Toyota. They have plants in two of our Indiana communities: Princeton and Lafayette. During a brief tour of their showroom floor, we learned about the hybrid vehicle engines, cars that run on propane, and new safety features that automatically slow down the vehicle to prevent collisions. They also have new safety features that assist with visibility, and traction control. They truly are leading the pack when it comes to vehicle safety technology. You may know of my affection for fast cars. I enjoyed taking a picture with a yellow Lexus LFA sports car.
After our tour of their new projects, I met with Toyota executives to inquire about their potential for growth. We had a good discussion about the global economy, and of course I reminded them of Indiana’s fiscal responsibility and business friendly environment. They also surprised me with another birthday cake. In Japan, my birthday is the worst kept secret. Everyone here is so generous.
After leaving Toyota, we headed to visit Aisin. They make drive shafts for Toyota vehicles. Aisin operates plants in Crothersville, Seymour, Tell City, Terre Haute, and Rushville. I know personally many of the Asian Executives due to my time in the Indiana Senate representing the Seymour community. Aisin employs around 5,000 Hoosiers, a positive economic impact on our state.
Finally, we went to speak to the leadership of the Nagoya Chamber of Commerce. While we were there we stopped to see our Indiana state office in Nagoya. Mr. Kano, our guide for the week, is the Director of the Indiana Office in Japan. He has been an excellent liaison and marketer of our state.
Upon meeting with the chamber members, we discussed the depreciation of the dollar and its impact on other countries, mainly Japan. In recent year, the Yen has become stronger and the dollar weaker, it is making the price to do business too expensive. I was glad to let them know that while the country continues to struggle, Indiana remains fiscally and economically sound. They were also pleased to hear that we are cutting the corporate income tax while maintaining a $1.2 billion surplus. It was a very productive meeting.
I have now completed five international trade missions, but this was my first trip to Japan. I was extremely impressed by our Japanese friends. Their culture is generous, orderly, and highly intellectual. The strides we made building relationships could never be accomplished from half way around the world. We visited with many of the major corporations that do business in Indiana, such as Subaru, Toyota, Zen Noh, Toa, North American Lighting, Mitsubishi and many more. We also spent several days taking part in the Midwest U.S. – Japan Conference. Governor Fukuda from Tochigi Prefecture hosted us one day as well. All of these events will hopefully strengthen the ties between Indiana and Japan, resulting in more jobs for our hardworking Hoosiers.
It has been a pleasure serving our State from across the Pacific. Now I’m coming home.
Day 6 Photos
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