The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) and the Illinois Economic Development Corporation (EDC) are gearing up for a trip to Tokyo, where they'll be participating in the 55th annual Midwest U.S.-Japan Association's (MWJA) Conference; they're accompanied by a squad of public sector, education, and economic development leaders, representing Illinois' commitment to fostering international business relations, particularly with Japan.
According to the official press release, Governor JB Pritzker expressed his dedication "to strengthening Illinois’ economic relationship with Japan, from securing business expansions on trade missions to highlighting our state’s unmatched workforce, infrastructure and location"; his remarks underscore the importance of the collaboration as Team Illinois prepares to explore new partnership avenues with Japan and more than 100 Japanese corporations, and this shows the importance of the MWJA's role in fostering these cross-cultural economic discussions that switch venues annually between the Midwest and Japan.
Illinois' relationship with Japan began solidifying in 1983 when the state established an office there to encourage bilateral business collaborations: currently, this translates to one sister-state and nine sister-city relationships, showing the bonds aren't just governmental but have also seeped into community levels.
DCEO Director Kristin Richards pointed out Illinois' significant role, saying, "Illinois is proud to participate in the MWJA’s 55th Conference reaffirming our deep commitment to growing our economic partnership with Japan," with more than 400 Japanese companies operating within Illinois borders, employing over 56,000 residents, which not only indicates a strong economic alliance but also impacts the lives of many Illinoisans tangibly; in fact, in 2024 Illinois exported $2.5 billion worth of goods to Japan, marking it as the state's 9th largest export market, and in turn, Illinois imported goods totaling $7 billion from Japan, making it the 6th largest import source.
The state's assets "make it a dominant player on the international stage, and the leader for investment in the Midwest," Christy George, President, and CEO of the Illinois Economic Development Corporation, remarked, highlighting that Japanese-backed sectors in Illinois extend from advanced manufacturing to agriculture and quantum computing, showing the versatility and scope of these economic ties.
The Illinois delegation heading to Tokyo is comprised of various notable figures from the governmental and economic sectors, such as Kristin Richards, Cas Peters, Motoshi Yamada, and Christy George, along with representatives from the consulate and academic institutions, who will together represent the state's economic interests and developmental prospects on a global platform.
