INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana Governor Mike Braun today concluded the 56th annual joint meeting of the Midwest U.S.-Japan Association (MWJA) and the Japan-Midwest U.S. Associations (JMWA) conference, which hosted approximately 500 representatives of the U.S. Midwest and Japan in Indianapolis this week. At the event, the Governor detailed how he is supercharging Indiana’s bustling economy and business environment, the state’s momentum across key industries, and opportunities for continued Japanese and U.S. investment and job creation.
“Indiana’s strategic location, pro-growth business climate, and unmatched investments in workforce and quality of place make our state stand out as the ideal destination to create jobs,” said Gov. Braun. “The MWJA Conference highlighted the many benefits of doing business in Indiana, and we look forward to continuing conversations started here that are poised to bring new investment, innovation and high-wage jobs to Hoosiers.”
The event, hosted by Gov. Braun and organized in partnership with the Japan-America Society of Indiana (JASI), convened representatives of local, state and federal government, academia and industry to discuss the many shared partnerships between the U.S. and Japan and to identify opportunities for shared growth across business, innovation and workforce. Indiana’s relationship with Japan has grown significantly since Subaru of Indiana Automotive broke ground in Lafayette in 1987, with the state now supporting nearly 290 Japanese business facilities that provide nearly 62,000 Hoosier jobs statewide.
“We’re thrilled that the 56th Annual Joint Meeting of the Midwest U.S.-Japan Association and the Japan-Midwest U.S. Association was another record-breaking event hosted by the State of Indiana in partnership with the Japan-America Society of Indiana,” said Theresa Kulczak, executive director of JASI . “With senior government and business leaders from Japan, alongside leaders and stakeholders from throughout the Midwest, we were proud to deliver an exceptional event that showcased the strength and vitality of the Midwest-Japan relationship. We are grateful for the incredible support of the sponsors and economic development partners who helped make this gathering such a success, and we are confident the momentum generated will continue to grow and expand the already robust and vibrant relationship between Japan and the Midwest.”
The three-day MWJA Conference drew participation from nine U.S. states and a robust Japanese delegation including representatives of central and prefectural governments; industry and trade organizations like Keidanren, the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) and the Japan-U.S. Business Council; as well as nearly 40 Japanese businesses, including All Nippon Airways, Daifuku North America, Hitachi, Japan Airlines, Marubeni Corporation, Mitsubishi Corporation and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Subaru Corporation, Toshiba, Toyota, and Toyota Tsusho.
Programming featured remarks from top government officials and industry leaders, including H.E. Shigeo Yamada, Ambassador of Japan to the United States; keynotes on key topics and critical sectors, such as advanced manufacturing, life sciences, semiconductors and AI, infrastructure and workforce; tours of Indiana’s industry- and innovation-driven ecosystems like the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Purdue University; and ample opportunities for networking, connection and matchmaking.
“Indiana is consistently ranked one of the top states for business, and we are grateful to our communities, regions and partners statewide that collaborate to tell Indiana’s story and pursue continued economic development and growth,” said Indiana Secretary of Commerce Chuck Goodrich. “Our state’s relationship with Japan and its impact on Hoosiers is evident across industry, education and workforce, innovation, and throughout Indiana neighborhoods – the nearly 290 businesses like Subaru, Toyota and Honda that provide quality careers and the new Toyota Indiana YMCA in Princeton, to name a few. I’m confident these ties will continue to grow and create even more opportunities for residents.”
Indiana boasted a strong delegation of government, business, industry, and community leaders, leveraging the conference as an opportunity to highlight the state and its regions, to advance industry- and project-specific discussions and negotiations, and to bolster local and regional initiatives.
Representatives attending included Indiana-based businesses and global corporations with operations in Indiana; industry organizations, such as AgriNovus, BioCrossroads, Conexus Indiana, gener8tor, and the Applied Research Institute; academic and research institutions, including Ball State University, Earlham College, Indiana University, and Purdue University; community organizations, such as the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis; and partners engaged in economic and community development, including local governments, local and regional economic development partners, the Indiana Economic Development Association, law firms and location consultants, and utilities and energy providers.
The MWJA Conference is an annual event focused on increasing cooperation between Japan and U.S. Midwest states to advance foreign direct investment, trade, innovation, talent development, and community and cultural exchanges that improve the lives of residents. The conference alternates between Japan and U.S. Midwest member states; Indiana previously hosted in 2006 and 1989.
Learn more about this year’s conference here.
