Gov. Braun accelerates economic, job opportunity through Japan partnership

 Indiana Governor Mike Braun is strengthening the state’s economic ties with

Japan on the heels of the 56^th annual joint meeting of the Midwest-U.S. Japan Association and the Japan-Midwest Association (MWJA) in Indianapolis last month. Under his leadership, Indiana Secretary of Commerce Chuck Goodrich will travel to Japan this week to strengthen relationships across business, industry and workforce and to create new job and wage opportunities for Hoosiers.

Japan-based businesses operate in 60 of Indiana’s 92 counties and have committed to investing more than $10 billion in Indiana since 2005, contributing to the state’s economy, communities and workforce.

“Indiana is proud to have built a nearly 40-year partnership with Japan that has provided countless talent development and career opportunities for Hoosiers,” said Gov. Braun. “The state’s trip to Japan this week is a commitment to continuing our work together and advancing our shared strengths, particularly across the automotive and advanced manufacturing sectors. Japanese businesses like Subaru, Toyota and Honda have had a lasting impact on our state’s communities and economy, and we look forward to these partnerships for years to come.”

In Japan, Sec. Goodrich will travel to Tokyo and Nagoya, a manufacturing powerhouse, to meet with executives of Japanese businesses with operations in Indiana as well as Indiana companies with facilities in Japan, including Eli Lilly and Company. Japan is Indiana’s largest foreign investor, accounting for more than 27% of the state’s international businesses, and Indiana leads the U.S. in Japanese investment per capita. The state is home to 290 Japanese business facilities that support nearly 62,000 Hoosier jobs statewide.

Sec. Goodrich will travel to the state’s three Japanese OEM automotive manufacturers, Subaru Corporation, Toyota Motor Corporation and Honda Motor Company; meet with leaders of Japanese businesses with longstanding operations in Indiana, including Aisin Corporation, Toyota Industries Corporation and Toyota Tsusho Corporation; and connect with executives of NTT Data Group – a subsidiary of NTT and the official technology partner of the NTT IndyCar Series and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

“Japan is our most prominent international partner and the ideal destination for a strategic economic development trip,” said Sec. Goodrich. “Our friendship with Japan has created thousands of career opportunities and investment in our communities over the last few decades, and we’re not slowing down. I look forward to sharing Indiana’s story and strengthening our continued commitment to job and wage growth with our partners in Japan this week.”

Recent jobs and wages announcements from Japanese businesses include:

• In August, Gov. Braun celebrated the completion of Toyota Material Handling North America’s $100 million factory in Columbus, paving the way for 140 new jobs. (Read more)
• In March, Toyota announced a $200 million investment at its Princeton facility to expand production capacity for the Grand Highlander SUV. (Read more) The company celebrated its 30^th anniversary of operating in Indiana this year.
• Nippon Steel is investing $3.1 billion in its newly acquired U.S. Steel Gary Works facility, modernizing the plant for long-term growth. (Read more)
• Sustainea, a joint venture between Japan-based Sojitz and Brazil-based Braskem, announced plans to locate its first US operation in Indiana, investing $400 million and creating 191 new jobs. (Read more)

This trip follows several engagements between Indiana and Japan over the past two years. In addition to hosting 500 attendees at the joint meeting of the Midwest-U.S. Japan Association and the Japan-Midwest Association (MWJA) in September, Gov. Braun has hosted numerous Japanese delegations of elected officials and businesses at the Indiana Statehouse, including the Governor of Gunma Prefecture and a Gunma business delegation of advanced manufacturers and automotive suppliers.

Sec. Goodrich will be joined by Mrs. Goodrich and supported by two representatives from the IEDC Indianapolis location and a representative of its Tokyo office. The total cost of the economic development trip is expected to be up to $25,000, with a majority of costs being paid through existing funds in the Indiana Economic Development Foundation while the Secretary and Mrs. Goodrich are personally covering their own travel-related expenses.

About the Office of Commerce
The State of Indiana’s Office of Commerce was created by Governor Mike Braun to align and accelerate the state’s economic development efforts and is led by Indiana Secretary of Commerce Chuck Goodrich.