On his three-nation tour across Asia, Texas Governor Greg Abbott visited Nagoya, Japan, where he met with executives from Toyota Motor Corporation and toured the Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology. The meeting and tour were part of an ongoing economic development mission that includes Taiwan and South Korea. During his visit, Abbott expressed his views on the partnership between Texas and Toyota, mentioning that "Texas has been the proud home of Toyota manufacturing facilities for over two decades," and emphasizing the role of Toyota in bolstering the Texan economy and job market.
At the museum, which marks the origin of the Toyota Group as a textile company, Abbott received a guided tour showcasing Toyota's historical and current manufacturing technology, as well as their diverse range of automobiles. This was followed by a lunch meeting, where discussions regarding further investments in Texas were on the table, "I look forward to continuing to collaborate with Toyota as we build a more innovative future for both Texas and Japan," Abbott said. Photos and video of the visit were made available to the public along with a pool report supplied by Gromer Jeffers from Dallas Morning News.
Toyota, a global auto manufacturing leader with its North American headquarters in Plano, Texas, employs over 6,600 people and operates a state-of-the-art $1 billion campus in the region. Their San Antonio truck assembly plant, Toyota Motor Manufacturing Texas, home to 2,600 team members witnessed the production of 181,872 vehicles in 2023 alone, in a massive $3.1 billion facility. In June, Toyota Texas pledged a new investment estimated at $531 million to enhance the San Antonio plant, a step forecasted to create more than 400 jobs locally.
The Governor's economic development efforts continued as he met with Aisin President & CEO Moritaka Yoshida to appreciate the company's venture in Cibolo, Texas, where a new manufacturing facility was established. Abbott and Yoshida also exchanged thoughts on how to further solidify the partnership between Texas, and Japan in the automotive sector. Accompanying Governor Abbott were notable figures including First Lady Cecilia Abbott and Secretary of State Jane Nelson. The mission's agenda is clear: to deepen the economic, and cultural ties with Asia, stimulate trade in critical industries, and entice new business investments to Texas.
Japanese companies have played a significant role in Texas's economy over the past decade, creating over 20,000 jobs through investment in the state. In 2023 alone, trade between Japan and Texas amounted to $31.2 billion, positioning Japan as Texas's fifth-largest trade partner. The first five months of 2024 saw Japanese companies invest an additional $1.47 billion across six projects, which are projected to create over 520 jobs. Upcoming events for the delegation in Japan include a luncheon with the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), meetings with government officials, and a reception at the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo. The mission is financially backed by the Texas Economic Development Corporation, a nonprofit entity tasked with championing Texas as a leading business hub.
