Charlotte was the center of international business dialogues this past weekend as Governor Roy Cooper played host to Japanese Ambassador Shigeo Yamada and a league of high-profile Japanese business leaders for the 46th annual Southeast U.S./Japan Economic Development Conference, as reported by the press office of the Governor of North Carolina. The conference, which took place on October 27, aimed to bolster ties and encourage Japanese investment in the region.
In a show of international business camaraderie, "Japan is currently North Carolina’s number one source of international business investment, and I’m pleased to welcome once again Ambassador Shigeo Yamada to our state," said Governor Cooper, his words reflecting both a sense of accomplishment and welcoming, this conference not only attracts senior business representatives from major Japanese corporations like Toyota, Honda, Bridgestone, FUJIFILM Diosynth but also serves as a platform to demonstrate the economic potential of North Carolina. N.C. Commerce Secretary Machelle Baker Sanders highlighted the importance of the event, saying, "This conference will continue to reinforce a dynamic future that is shaped through collaboration, partnerships, innovation, and growth."
The significance of the SEUS/Japan partnership cannot be overstressed, representing a robust economic bridge between the Southeastern United States and one of its largest trading allies. With more than 31,000 North Carolinians employed by Japanese-owned companies, and thousands more poised to join them, the impact of Japanese investment in the region is tangible and growing. Moreover, companies such as Toyota, HondaJet, and FUJIFILM Diosynth have committed significant resources, promising not only investment but also the creation of new, good-paying jobs within North Carolina communities.
Highlighting the importance of continued investment and cooperation, Sean Suggs, President of Toyota Battery Manufacturing North Carolina and a figure appointed by Governor Cooper to serve as the Chairman of the seven-state association that organizes the conference each year, probably understands the value these partnerships bring, the conference garnered the backing of various significant local sponsors including Duke Energy, Honeywell, and Bank of America which reflects not merely a passing gesture but an entrenched belief in mutual progress and prosperity. Toyota has been noted specifically as the title sponsor for the event, solidifying its commitment to the region and the importance of the conference as a conduit for further economic development.
Since his first visit to Tokyo in 2017 and including the historic April 2024 state visit from Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, Governor Cooper has been instrumental in deepening the economic ties between North Carolina and Japan. The state's proactive approach to fostering these relationships is part of a long-term strategy to attract high-growth industries to the region.
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