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Midwest NEWSLETTER Illinois • Indiana • Iowa • Kansas • Michigan • Minnesota • Missouri • Nebraska • North Dakota • Ohio • South Dakota • Wisconsin Vol. 26, No. 1, Winter 2016 Japan External Trade Organization 1 East Wacker Drive, Suite 3350 Chicago, IL 60601 Phone: 312-832-6000 Fax: 312-832-6066 Midwest www.jetro.org NEWSLETTER Illinois • Indiana • Iowa • Kansas • Michigan • Minnesota • Missouri • Nebraska • North Dakota • Ohio • South Dakota • Wisconsin In this issue ... Nebraska Governor Ricketts Looks to • JETRO Around the Midwest ... page 2 Strengthen Ties with Japan • Richmond, Indiana Mayor talks about the Japan On September 22, Nebraska Governor connection ... page 3 Guest View Pete Ricketts had an article published in The Plattsmouth (NE) Journal, which is • The Japan/Michigan Wine Connection ... page 3 reprinted here. • New University of Nebraska Program on Late last week, I returned from my International Trade ... page 4 inaugural trade mission to Asia where I Pete Ricketts visited Japan and China, Nebraska’s two • JETRO to host Japan Pavilion at Pittcon 2016 in Governor, largest trade partners in Asia. During our Atlanta ... page 5 State of Nebraska travels, the trade delegation met with business executives, potential investors, • JETRO hosts Japan Pavilion at MDM West in and public-sector leaders about how we continue to build on our existing relationships February ... page 7 See “Guest View: Ricketts,” page 6 JETRO Returns to Change Continues in Japan in the New Year Las Vegas for CES 2016 I would like to take this opportunity to From the wish everyone all the best in 2016. If in January I have one main message for the New Chief Year, it is that I would like U.S. business JETRO Chicago is once Executive people in the Midwest to know how again coordinating Director much Japan has changed drastically the Japan Innovation Ichiro Soné over the last couple of years, in a Showcase at the 2016 positive way. International Consumer Chief Executive Director, Electronics Show (CES), JETRO Chicago Abenomics, Prime Minister Shinzo to be held in Las Vegas, Abe’s economic reform policy is well Nevada from January 6-9. CES 2016 will feature more underway, and is already showing results. As JETRO Chairman and CEO Hiroyuki Ishige than 3,600 exhibitors unveiling the latest consumer stated in a recent media interview, “After the introduction of Abenomics, we noticed technology products and services. an improvement in the macroeconomic environment, and consequently in the flow of FDI (foreign direct investment). The business infrastructure of Japanese and foreign For CES 2016, six companies will exhibit in the Japan companies has also become more integrated. The regulatory reforms introduced by Innovation Showcase (Booth 72150). This includes Abenomics have in addition brought noticeable progress. The local monopoly of the two first-time exhibitors. The Innovation Showcase power/energy sector will be reformed next year and we are beginning to see many foreign will be located in the Robotics Marketplace, on Level companies starting to invest in Japan. 2 of the Sands Expo and Convention Center. “There are significant reforms taking place regarding regulations of the development of In addition, two Japanese companies will exhibit in pharmaceuticals and medical devices. I believe that in line with the significant ease of Eureka Park, located on Level 1, Hall G, of the Sands regulations, Japan has become, in terms of development of pharmaceuticals and medical Expo. Bonsai Labs will exhibit in Booth 80658, with devices, a development-friendly country. U.S.-based companies in these industries are Westunitis in Booth 80950. Eureka Park is dedicated currently looking to increase their investment to Japan.” to emerging start-up companies with innovative products which are not yet commercially available. Many people still might have the idea that everything is expensive in Japan, but that has More than 400 companies are expected to exhibit in changed. As the yen has weakened since Prime Minister Abe took the helm, prices in Japan Eureka Park at CES 2016. are more in line with those in other major cities in the Asia. Mr. Ishige mentioned some examples about lower business and investment costs: “Office rental and housing costs See “CES,” page 7 for foreigners have been declining and are much below those of Hong Kong or Singapore. See “Chief Executive Director,” page 8 This material is distributed by JETRO Chicago on behalf of Japan External Trade Organization, Tokyo, Japan. Additional information is available at the Department of Justice, Washington, D.C. In this issue ... • JETRO to host Japan Pavilion at Pittcon 2016 in Atlanta ... page 5 • Nebraska Governor Ricketts Looks to Strengthen Ties with Japan ... page 1 • JETRO hosts Japan Pavilion at MDM Midwest Newsletter West in February ... page 7 Winter, 2016, Page 2 • New University of Nebraska Program on International Trade ... page 4 Back to Page 1 JETRO Around the Midwest Seminars, Meetings and Events A Service Industry Mission from Japan visited the Chicago area in late November. The mission visited area service industries, such as restaurants, food retail, pharmaceutical and clothing rental, to learn about the market potential here. On Friday, October 16, JETRO Chicago welcomed a (Above left) Ramen Takeya’s owner, Ms. Satoko Takeyama (standing left), is group of MBA students from the College of Business introduced to members of a Service Industry Mission from Japan as they try at Northern Illinois University. The students were her signature dish, chicken paitan ramen. led by Prof. Harry Lepinske and are part of NIU’s Fast-Trak MBA program. Robert Corder of JETRO (Above right) At Mitsuwa Marketplace in Arlington Heights, members listen Chicago spoke to the group about developments in Japan’s economy and the role JETRO plays to the manager of Tendon Hannosuke, a recently opened “tempura don” (bowl) in increasing inbound FDI. JETRO Chicago has spoken to groups from NIU every year since restaurant, explain how he opened the shop. 2007. To express NIU’s gratitude, Prof. Lepinske presented JETRO Chicago Chief Executive Director Ichiro Soné with a certificate of appreciation. Said Prof. Lepinske, “JETRO has been a wonderful partner and we hope to continue working with them for years to come.” On Friday, October 2, Ichiro Soné visited Topeka, Kansas where he met with Kansas The Japan America Governor Sam Society of Minnesota Brownback. held the 18th Annual Mondale Award and On December 9, Ichiro Soné was the featured speaker at Scholarship Gala on “Opportunity Japan,” sponsored by the INDY Chamber in Saturday, November Indianapolis. (From left) Theresa Kulczak, Japan-America 14, 2015. At the event, Society of Indiana; Ichiro Soné; Koichi Okano, Honda Ichiro Soné met up with Manufacturing of Indiana, Inc.; Beck Fromm, Somerset Richard Stahl, Honorary CPAs & Advisors; and Dale Stackhouse, Ice Miller LLP. Consul of Japan (left). Representatives from Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry Kathleen McCarthy (left) and John Beckman (right) check out John Beckman shakes hands with the HOSPI-Rimo by Panasonic at IREX2015. recently visited Japan for the IREX2015 Conference. (Above) Tatsuhiro his new friend Pepper by Softbank Shindo, Executive Vice President of JETRO, John Beckman, Director, Robotics who was guiding him Exhibit Design and Development MSI, Kathleen McCarthy, Director and Kathleen McCarthy at the of Collections and Head Curator, Museum of Science and Industry, Amuzement Space near Yokohama Tomonori Shibahara, JETRO and Ichiro Soné. Station. In this issue ... • JETRO to host Japan Pavilion at Pittcon 2016 in Atlanta ... page 5 • Nebraska Governor Ricketts Looks to Strengthen Ties with Japan ... page 1 • JETRO hosts Japan Pavilion at MDM Midwest Newsletter West in February ... page 7 Winter, 2016, Page 3 • New University of Nebraska Program on International Trade ... page 4 Back to Page 1 Historic Connection with Japan Helps Bring Business to Richmond, IN Richmond has gained a lot dealing with Japanese Guest View more than strong business businesses, dignitaries, connections -- and hundreds students and educators. of jobs -- from Japanese One of my biggest pushes companies. as mayor fits strongly with The relationship has been our Japanese compatriots. Sally Hutton part of our culture for more I get out often to help Mayor, than half a century. That’s clean alleys and streets. In Richmond, Indiana thanks in large part to the Japan, we noticed there world-renowned Japanese is no litter. The people are Studies program at Earlham College. About 25 Japanese students come friendly and respectful. Toyota’s INTAT Precision automotive components to Richmond each year, while Earlham students head the other direction They never push or plant in Rushville to study at Waseda University in Tokyo. For many, that’s just the start shove even though many of a lifelong relationship on personal and professional levels. American areas are crowded. One of my neatest experiences was to have the students are enjoying careers in business areas such as consulting, mayor of Unnan City and four of his staff join me in cleaning alleys in global sales and communications. The students explore cultures. They Richmond. They worked hard and were always smiling and chatting with work together. They learn to speak each other’s languages -- literally and me through their interpreter. I’ve learned a lot from them. Those things figuratively. They build lifelong friendships. help, I think, in proving that we have something special going here. All of these activities help, I think, in proving that we have something very That program has been very fruitful for our city. So has our Sister City special going on here which also reflects in Richmond being named an program with Unnan City, located in Shimane Prefecture, a cultural All-America City and one of the Top 10 least expensive cities to live in the exchange that has been running since 1975. Unnan City merged with United States. four suburbs about 10 years ago, adding to the connections that have paid off in a range of ways: from tree-planting and cultural awareness to The historic connections with Japan have helped pave the way for economic-development efforts and commercial successes.
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