Japan Update to Feature Big Names, Issues
An event next week in Indianapolis will provide a snapshot of the business, economic and international relations picture of one of the state’s key global partners. The Japan Update 2016, presented by the Japan-America Society of Indiana, will feature discussions and panel presentations focusing on the relationship.
Toyota Motor Manufacturing of Indiana Inc. President Norm Bafunno will deliver a keynote address and Consul-General of Japan in Chicago Toshiyuki Iwado will open the conference with his remarks. The event will be at the Hyatt Recency Indianapolis.
In addition to outlook discussions, the conference will focus on topics including international exchange rates, security issues in the Pacific region, foreign direct investment, manufacturing and community economic development.
The society says the list of speakers includes:
- Tom Easterday – Executive Vice President, Secretary, and Chief Legal Officer, Subaru of Indiana Automotive
- Harold Force – President, Force Construction Company
- Atsushi Hagita – Vice President, Turbocharger Division, Mitsubishi Engine North America
- Jason Hester – Executive Director, Columbus Economic Development Board
- The Honorable Toshiyuki Iwado – Consul-General of Japan in Chicago
- Tatsuya Kinoshita – Executive Vice President, Tsuda Industries
- Sean McAlinden – Vice President and Chief Economist, Center for Automotive Research
- Yasushi Nakao – President & CEO, Greenville Technology
- Jim Plump – Executive Director, Jackson County Industrial Development Corporation
- Tohru Sasaki – Managing Director, Head of Japan Markets Research JPMorgan Chase, Tokyo
- Jim Schellinger – President, Indiana Economic Development Corporation
- Shelia Smith – Senior Fellow for Japan Studies, Council on Foreign Relations, Washington, D.C.
- Ichiro Soné – Chief Executive Director, Japan External Trade Organization, Chicago
- Melanie Walker – President, TASUS Corporation; CEO, Tsuchiya Group North America
- Greg Wathen – President & CEO, Economic Development Coalition of Southwest Indiana
JASI was founded in 1988.