Press Releases
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Yamada participates in the 53rd Annual Joint Meeting of the Japan-Midwest U.S. Association and the Midwest U.S.-Japan Association
On September 11th, Mr. YAMADA Kenji, State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, attended the opening ceremony of the 53rd Annual Joint Meeting of the Japan-Midwest U.S. Association and the Midwest U.S.-Japan Association held in Tokyo and delivered welcome remarks.
Noting that Japan-U.S. economic ties are truly one of key pillars that underpin the Japan-U.S. Alliance, State Minister Yamada encouraged U.S. companies to invest in Japan, mentioning the investment and job creation undertaken by Japanese companies in the Midwest, where manufacturing is thriving, as well as touching upon the various initiatives by the Government of Japan to strengthen Japan-U.S. relations at the grassroots level. He then expressed his wishes for the success of this Joint Meeting and the further deepening of the Japan-U.S. "kizuna (bond)" toward the development of the Japan-U.S. relationship.
- 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.
- U.S. attendees to this year’s Joint Meeting included governors of the states of Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, and Nebraska, lieutenant governors of the states of Ilinois and Minnesota, as well as Mr.Gordon Dobie, Chairman of the Midwest U.S.-Japan Association.