A few photos....

Hamamatsu

Thursday we climbed aboard the Shinkansen once again and traveled to Hamamatsu.  Hamamatsu is a beautiful city that sits along the Pacific Ocean.  It is home to companies like Atsumi Tech (Ada Technologies), Roki and Fuji.  These companies all have operations in the Findlay/Hancock County area.  

We visited with Hamamatsu Mayor Suzuki at City Hall right next to Hamamatsu Castle which was a site to see.  The Mayor and I discussed how our communities are connected economically as well as through our educational institutions.  Shizoukoa University of Arts and Culture (SUAC) located in Hamamatsu has a relationship with the University of Findlay, whereby their students study abroad for a semester or two.  The relationship has been mutually beneficial.  I stressed to Mayor Suzuki that I look forward to building upon those existing relationships so that our communities can continue to be successful. We presented Mayor Suzuki with a City of Findlay Flag as well as a beautiful plate that commemorated our bicentennial events last year.  

Our visit also included a campus tour of SUAC and a meeting with the President of the University as well as top administration officials and two students who had studied at UF.  While our interaction was brief, I was impressed by the level of cooperation that exists between our beloved UF and SUAC. 

Hamamatsu is one of my most favorite places to visit in Japan and I look forward to returning.  While it is a City of 800,000 people, it is just as welcoming and pleasant as our community in Findlay.  

We will visit Molten just outside of Hiroshima on Friday.  We are looking forward to meeting with company executives.

By the way, it is incredibly hot and humid here and all of us spend most of the day melting in our business attire.  We are quite the sight to see.  

Saitima Prefecture, JETRO and US Embassy

Wednesday was a very busy day for us.  It began with a courtesy visit to Governor Ueda's residence in the City of Saitima.  This was my second official meeting with the Governor and I enjoyed catching up and learning more about how our we could expand our mutually beneficial relationship. Also in attendance at the meeting was the Prefectural Assembly Chair. 

We extended an invitation to visit the City of Findlay and I am very optimistic that he will accept.  The University of Findlay hosts scholarship students from Saitama Prefecture every year.  There are currently 3 students from Saitima attending UF this fall.  The relationship between Saitima and UF is very strong as well.  I look forward spending more time with the  Saitima students as they continue their education in Findlay as well as to Governor Ueda's visit in 2014.

JETRO (Japanese External Trade Organization) welcomed us to their office in Tokyo.  We learned more about the trends in foreign direct investment (FDI).  Most interesting was that 60% of Japanese companies surveyed in 2012 expect their business to expand in the next one or two years.  Most of those investments will be made for the modernization and streamlining of plants.

Business Confidence among those surveyed is on the rise and sectors that are most likely to grow faster in the next few years within the US are 1) Energy Conservation and Environment 2) Medical, Health & Beauty and 3) Electronic vehicle, Hybrid cars.  It is important for us to know what these fields are because we strive to diversify our Japanese companies within the Findlay/Hancock County area.  

The probability of  attracting companies in the agriculture field was also discussed at length.  Why not take advantage of Ohio's number one industry?

Our final stop on Wednesday was to the US Embassy where we met with "Select USA".  This particular group is a in charge of a program that assists communities in attracting FDI.  There are many ways that Select USA can assist us and we are looking to develop our relationship with them in the near future.

This visit has been incredible so far and I look forward to the coming days ahead.  

Everyone back home should be very proud of our delegation.   It is an honor to represent the Findlay/Hancock County.

Kyoto Visit to Nichidai

Our trip to Kyoto was a good one.  We took the Shinkansen 2.5 hours from Tokyo to the former capital.

We met with Nichidai which is an advanced manufacturer that has a US Sales office in Findlay.  We wanted to learn more about their company as well as learn how we can assist them with future investment in the states.

We spent time sharing our story about the Findlay/Hancock County community.

After our meeting, we spent time touring their facilities.  It is amazing to me the amount of precision that goes into their product.  The plant tour concluded with a great question and answer session.

The Kyoto area was a beautiful place with great scenery.  The mountains and river were gorgeous.  On top of the hill overlooking the Nichidai facility was a 1200 year old Temple.  Within the temple was a statue that was constructed in 991A.D.  We were able to learn from the Monk at the temple who graciously shared with us the story of the beautiful structure.

The day concluded with a return trip on the Shinkansen.

On Wednesday we will make a courtesy stop to see Governor Ueda of the Saitima Prefecture.  I was able to meet the governor last time we were here and I'm looking forward to our visit.

45th Annual Joint Meeting Japan-Midwest U.S. Conference

After a great run with Hiro this morning around the Emperor's Palace, we have spent the entire day at the Imperial Hotel at the 2013 Japan-Midwest U.S. Association Conference.  The theme of the conference is "Exploring Paths to Sustainable Growth".  

The first part of the morning was dedicated to listening to Opening Remarks by Yuzaburo Mogi, the Honorary CEO and Chairman of the Board of the Kikkoman Corporation.  Mr. Mogi shares the chairmanship role of the conference with Mr. Michael Moskow, Vice Chairman and Senior Fellow on the Global Economy, Chicago Council on Global Affairs & former President & CEO, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago.

Both of these gentlemen have done a wonderful job of moderating the conference so far.

We heard welcoming remarks from the Hon. Kazuyuki Katayama the new Consul General of Japan in Detroit who talked briefly on the importance of our relationships.

The highlight of the morning was hearing from the Governors from several key midwest states, including Gov. Scott Walker (Wisconsin), Gov. Terry Branstad (Iowa), Gov Rick Snyder (Michigan), Gov. Pat Quinn (Illinois) and Gov. Mike Pence (Indiana).  It was great to hear them all speak about shared values and shared interests between the U.S. and Japan and how those values and interests are what makes doing business so profitable.

We also heard from Prefectural Governors who spoke over and over again on how well their 

"states" are doing and how "Japan is Back". Gov. Takuya Tasso from the Iwate Prefecture gave us an update on the state of the area that was decimated by the Earthquake and Tsunami.  The citizens of Iwate are extremely grateful for the assistance from the United States.  It is an extremely exciting time to be here in Tokyo. 

Boeing Japan and Takeda Pharmaceutical spoke on "Exploring Innovative Approaches".  The high level of management represented here has made the conference very valuable for us.

It has been a great day.  We've made many new friends and reacquainted ourselves with the executives from the Saitima Prefecture (Ohio Sister State).  We will be meeting with Governor Ueda later this week.

The delegation sends its best wishes to everyone back home!

"Friends of Findlay" Reception

Our first full day in Tokyo was full of fun and excitement.

We found ourselves outside the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building while Tokyo was celebrating their successful bid on the 2020 Olympics!  We stumbled upon the celebration and enjoyed it very much.  It was extremely exciting to share in their success.  

The remainder of our day included a "Friends of Findlay" reception which was enjoyed by everyone. I am so amazed by the friendships that have been established and am moved by the exchanges we have shared.  

Representatives from Bridgestone, Nissin Brake, Sanhoh, Kobelco, Fuji Systems, Atsumi Tech (Ada Technologies), DTR, Kumi Kasei and the Saitima Prefecture were all in attendance.  We also enjoyed the company of a former UF student and a former City of Findlay employee.  

A great time was had by all.  We are on our way to the Opening Reception for the Japan-US Midwest Conference.  I'll be back in touch soon!  Look for photos on facebook and Twitter as I have not figured out how to upload them to this blog as of today.  There is hope for tomorrow though.

I wish you all a wonderful Sunday with your families.  I know I am missing mine.

Last minute preparations are being executed to ready our delegation for the trip to Japan.  Passports, transportation arrangements, gifts for our honorable hosts and a finalized itinerary have all been accounted for.  

I hope to be able to utilize this blog to update our friends and family back home on the progress of our Economic Mission Trip.

The City of Findlay and Hancock County have a 25+ year history and this trip will help us continue to solidify that relationship as well as find new friends and business partners for our community.

After a great United Way Kick Off event at Great Scot this morning, we are leaving Findlay at 11:30am from UF.

I will continue to update everyone as we make progress!