Press Releases
Foreign Minister Kono participates in the 51st Annual Joint Meeting
of the Japan-Miswest U.S. Association and the Midwest U.S.- Japan Association
1. On September 9th, Mr. Kono Taro, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, attended the opening ceremony of the 51st Annual Joint Meeting of the Japan-Midwest U.S. Association and the Midwest U.S.-Japan Association held in Tokyo and gave a speech.
2. Referring to the strengthening of exchanges between Japan and the United States through investments and job creation by Japanese companies particularly in the Midwest U.S., where manufacturing flourishes, measures implemented by the Japanese government to enhance the bilateral relationship at the grass-roots level and the entry of Midwestern companies into Japan, Minister Kono expressed his hope for the deepening of the bilateral economic relatinoship in a mutually beneficial manner for Japan and the United States.
(Reference) The Japan-Midwest U.S. Association
(1) The Japan-Midwest U.S. Association was established in 1967 in order to promote trade and investments and mutual exchanges in broad areas including industry, technology and culture between Japan and the United States. The Japan-Midwest U.S. Association holds the Annual Joint Meeting together with the Midwest U.S.-Japan Association, its counterpart.
(2) U.S. attendees include governors of the states of Indiana, Minnesota, Nebraska, Ohio and Wisconsin and Mr. Tommy Thompson, U.S. Chairman of the Joint Meeting.