TOKYO, Japan (September 10, 2007) - Indiana is fortunate to have a strong U.S.-Japan bond, Governor Mitch Daniels told participants at the 39th Annual U.S. Midwest-Japan Association Conference, during remarks at the opening ceremonies in Tokyo on Monday. Twenty-eight Japanese companies have invested more than $1.3 billion in the state in the past three years, and Daniels said more projects are in process.
Indiana's trade delegation of business, elected and community leaders is the largest contingent represented at the conference. Ten Midwestern states are members of the Association and are here to promote trade, investment and build relationships.
"We were enormously grateful to host the 38th annual meeting last year. This year, we are here some 70 strong with mayors and business people and others from across our state to say to organizations and businesses from Japan represented here that Indiana appreciates this relationship and the business we do together," said Daniels.
This year, three Japanese companies, Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Aisin Seiki, and GECOM (Greensburg Equipment and Components Manufacturing), are celebrating 20 years of business in Indiana. Daniels said when he attended his first U.S. Midwest-Japan Association conference two years ago in Cincinnati, he predicted that Indiana was poised for a second surge of investment and partnership with Japan.
"Two years later, we can see that has happened. Indiana shattered all records for inbound Japanese investment in 2006," said Daniels. "We are now the only American state in which Honda and Toyota reside. Including Subaru, Indiana is the only American state that three major Japanese automobile companies call home. We will do all we can everyday to see that the conditions that made this possible are continued and extended."
Interest in Indiana and the Japanese automotive investment have not escaped the Japanese media. During an interview with the governor, one business journalist said Indiana and Honda come up often together in coverage of the automotive industry.
In addition to remarks by other Midwestern governors and governors of Japanese prefectures that are members of the Japan-Midwest U.S. Association, conference participants heard from U.S. Ambassador to Japan J. Thomas Schieffer and Japan's Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Akira Amari.
Also on Monday, Daniels met with Tochigi Prefecture Governor Tomikazu Fukuda. Tochigi is Indiana's sister-state in Japan and the two governors have discussed common challenges and opportunities on previous missions to Japan. Companies such as Honda and Nissan call the Tochigi Prefecture home.
Daniels also called on Masuda Manufacturing Co., Ltd., the parent company of Tomasco Indiana, LLC, which employs 130 people in Winchester where metal hinges, locks and brackets are produced for Honda. Earlier this year, Tomasco broke ground on a $29 million project that will add a parts manufacturing line to supply the new Honda plant near Greensburg.
The joint conference continues on Tuesday. Daniels is scheduled to participate in an Indiana agriculture event and joint governors meeting with Toyota Chairman Fujio Cho. He will also have a separate luncheon meeting with Cho and will speak with Nobuyuki Idei, chairman of the Sony Advisory Board and travel to Honda to meet with company executives, including Chairman Satoshi Aoki.
Photos from the governor's trade mission to Japan are available here: http://www.in.gov/gov/3031.htm
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