Conference to Focus on Indiana-Japan Relations
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowA senior Toyota Motor Corp. (NYSE: TM) executive will headline an annual Japan-America Society of Indiana conference in Indianapolis. Next week's event will examine the business relationship between the state and Asian nation. It will also feature economic projections for Japan, Indiana and Asia. February 18, 2014
News Release
On Thursday, February 27th the Japan-America Society of Indiana will present “Japan Update 2014”, an annual conference providing a business, economic and international relations outlook for the year with discussion of key developments and projections for Japan, Indiana and Asia. The conference will be held at the Hyatt Regency Indianapolis. The Keizai Koho Center of KEIDANREN, Japan's largest business association, and the National Association of Japan-America Societies are co-presenting organizations.
Indiana Governor Mike Pence will deliver opening remarks. In September, 2013, he completed a successful economic development mission to Japan. Indiana is the only state to be the home of assembly plants for three of Japan's top automakers.
Shigeru Hayakawa, Senior Managing Officer for Toyota Motor Corporation, Japan will headline the conference. With the Highlander, Sequoia and Sienna built in Princeton and the Camry built in Lafayette, Toyota plays a vital role in Indiana's economy. Globally, Toyota is forecasting a record profit for the fiscal year ending in March.
The conference will also feature Morgan McGrath, Head of JP Morgan International Commercial Banking at JP Morgan Chase, New York, and Mark Rechtin, West Coast Editor of Automotive News.
Distinguished speakers and industry leaders will take an in-depth look at the Indiana-Japan relationship in the areas of investment, manufacturing and trade; including key considerations in Asia. Representatives of Japanese industry with facilities in Indiana will speak to trends in the automotive supply chain with projections for growth and economic development.
Tom Easterday, President of the Japan-America Society of Indiana and Executive Vice President of Subaru of Indiana Automotive commented, “The Japan Update Conference provides a unique opportunity to obtain insight into important developments that will impact Japan and Indiana in 2014 and over the next several years. We are fortunate to have an outstanding group of presenters who are extremely knowledgeable about economic factors, international trade, industry trends and the Indiana-Japan relationship. ”
Theresa Kulczak, Executive Director of the Japan-America Society of Indiana, added: “We're pleased to welcome Mr. Hayakawa of Toyota who will travel from Japan through the support of the Keizai Koho Center and Keidanren. And, new to the conference this year will be a session focusing on Indiana companies successfully doing business in Japan.”
Presenters include (in alphabetical order):
Stephen Akard, Vice President and General Counsel, Indiana Economic Development
Corporation
Shigeru Hayakawa, Senior Managing Officer, Toyota Motor Corporation, Japan
Peter Kelley, President, National Association of Japan-America Societies
Marc Knapper, Director at Office of Japanese Affairs, U.S. Department of State, Washington D.C.
Bob Mason, Vice President and International Sales Manager, Ford Meter Box
Morgan McGrath, Head of J.P. Morgan International Commercial Banking, New York
Rick Merkel, Executive Vice President, Enkei America
Mark Rechtin, West Coast Editor, Automotive News
The Honorable Mike Pence, Governor of Indiana
Jim Riggs, President, NTN Driveshaft
Masayasu Saito, President and CEO, and SCOTT TURPIN, Executive Vice President, AISIN Holdings of America
Sachin Shah, Senior Director, Strategic Initiatives, Vera Bradley
Ichiro Sone, Chief Executive Director, Japan External Trade Organization, Chicago
The Honorable Masaharu Yoshida, Consul General of Japan at Chicago
The registration fee for the luncheon and conference is $130.00 for the public, $100 for Japan-America Society of Indiana members. Full-time college students with I.D. are free (not including lunch). Registration is at 11:30 a.m., the keynote luncheon program with Mr. Hayakawa and Governor Pence begins at noon, and the afternoon conference sessions start at 1:30 p.m.; followed by a networking reception from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. For the full conference schedule and to register online go to www.japanindiana.org
Corporate Sponsors: AISIN; Cornerstone Environmental, Health and Services; Chase; Duke Energy; Enkei America; GECOM Corporation; Honda Manufacturing of Indiana; Hoosier Energy; Indiana Economic Development Corporation; Indiana Packers Corporation; KYB Americas Corp., Gecom Corp., NTN Driveshaft; Ogletree Deakins; Subaru of Indiana Automotive; TASUS Corporation; TOA (USA); Toyota Industrial Equipment Manufacturing; Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Indiana; Vectren Energy Delivery.
Supporting Organizations: Indiana Economic Development Corporation; the Indiana Japan Chamber, and the Indiana Manufacturers Association.
About Japan-America Society of Indiana (JASI)
Founded in 1988 by community, business and academic leaders, the Japan-America Society of Indiana (JASI) is a not-for-profit cultural, educational, and business-support organization which serves as a bridge of friendship and cooperation between the people of Indiana and Japan. The Society is supported by a diverse membership of businesses, communities, academic institutions, families and individuals. Annually, the Japan-America Society of Indiana reaches more than 10,000 individuals through its programs, outreach activities, and services. The Japan-America Society of Indiana is a member of the National Association of Japan-America Societies, headquartered in Washington D.C., which includes over forty Societies nationwide. Source: Japan-America Society of Indiana