Government and Commerce In June 2014, Toppan Printing Co., Ltd. announced a Georgia serves as a leading business partner for $100 million investment in Griffin creating 80 jobs. In Japan. The state of Georgia has had continuous January 2015, Marukan, a Japanese leader in rice economic development representation in Japan since vinegar brewing, established its second U.S. brewery in 1973 and has assisted hundreds of Japanese firms in Griffin. Both investments are in Spalding County. locating to Georgia. Yumiko Nakazono has led the state’s economic development efforts since 1989. In In October 2016, Governor Deal met with the 2013, Governor Deal presented the Japan office with a Ambassador of Japan to the U.S. during a visit to th commendation recognizing its 40 anniversary. Atlanta to discuss Georgia’s relationship with Japan. The Consulate General of Japan and the Japan Ten Georgia cities have sister city agreements with External Trade Organization (JETRO) are both located Japan, including: Elberton - Takamatsu; Atlanta - in Atlanta. Japan has maintained a consular presence Fukuoka; Macon - Kurobe; and Georgia is a sister state in Georgia since 1974. Takashi Shinozuka has served to Kagoshima Prefecture. as Consul General since January 2016. Atlanta is also home to the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Japan-American Society of Georgia. Academics The University System of Georgia (USG) offers 35 study abroad programs to Japan in programs such as Georgia is a charter member of the Southeastern language, history, business and Japanese culture. United States (SEUS) Japan Alliance, established in During the 2015-16 school year, 114 USG students 1976, which brings together business leaders and studied in Japan. As of Fall 2017, 143 Japanese government officials from both regions annually. students were enrolled in USG schools. USG Georgia will host the 42nd annual joint meeting institutions currently host 44 visiting Japanese October 20-23, 2019 in Savannah. scholars. In August 2013, Governor Deal led a business, trade Emory University provides faculty-led study abroad and tourism mission to Asia, ending in Tokyo to programs to Japan as well as exchanges with Kansai celebrate the 40th anniversary of Georgia’s economic Gaidai University and Kwansei Gakuin University. development office in Japan. The Georgia Department of Economic Development Commissioner led a Arts, Culture and Tourism delegation to Japan in 2015. Governor Deal returned to JapanFest is held annually in Atlanta and draws Japan in June 2017. crowds of more than 20,000 people. The festival In October 2014, Haso USA Inc., a Tokyo-based includes a variety of dance and music performances manufacturer of personal use cleaning products, as well as cultural workshops. announced its location to Gwinnett County, an investment of $7 million creating 170 jobs. Gretsch, the Georgia-based musical instruments Japan is a leading investor nation in Georgia, company, partners with the Terada factory in ranking first among Georgia’s international Nagoya, Japan in manufacturing a selection of its investors based on total dollar value of guitars for distribution worldwide. investments, and third based on total number of facilities. th In 2017, Atlanta hosted the 27 annual Japan-America There are more than 500 Japanese facilities Grassroots Summit, a one-week cultural exchange operating in Georgia. These Japanese-affiliated program held alternately each year in Japan and the companies employ approximately 30,000 Georgians. U.S. for Japanese and American citizens fostering A list can be found online at Georgia.org/SiteSelector. peace and friendship at the grassroots level. Transportation In 2016, 30,300 Japanese tourists traveled to Georgia Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport offers spending more than $74.3 million. Visitation from Japan daily direct flights from Atlanta to Tokyo. to Georgia is expected to increase by 14% between 2016-2020. The Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) in Savannah has an established relationship with Japan. GPA offers two International Trade weekly container services to Tokyo and Kobe. GPA’s Brunswick Port also offers shipping services to Hitachi, EXPORTS: In 2017, Georgia exports to Japan totaled Kawasaki, Kobe, Nagoya, Yokohama and Kanda. $1.36 billion. Japan is currently the 6th largest export market for Georgia. About GDEcD Top exports from Georgia to Japan include civilian The Georgia Department of Economic Development aircraft, parts of gas turbines, medical instruments, (GDEcD) is the state’s sales and marketing arm, the kaolin and chemical woodpulp. lead agency for attracting new business investment, encouraging the expansion of existing industry and Georgia leads the nation in the export of the following small businesses, aligning workforce education and goods to Japan: insecticides and herbicides, carpets training with in-demand jobs, locating new markets for and other textile floor coverings and kaolin. Georgia products, attracting tourists to Georgia, and promoting the state as a destination for arts and IMPORTS: In 2017, Georgia imports from Japan totaled location for film, music and digital entertainment $4.95 billion. Japan ranks 5th among Georgia’s projects, as well as planning and mobilizing state importer nations. resources for economic development. Top imports from Japan include construction GDEcD’s International Representative machinery, motor vehicles, motor vehicle parts and accessories, chemicals for photography and electrical in Japan Yumiko Nakazono capacitors. Managing Director State of Georgia – Japan Capital Investment Holland Hills Mori Tower RoP#1202 At least 41 Georgia companies have operations in 5-11-1 Toranomon Japan, including but not limited to: Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-0001 – JAPAN Aflac T: +81 (3) 6402.5035 Crawford & Company [email protected] Invesco *Information valid as of July 2018 King & Spalding NCR Corporation The Coca-Cola Company Travelport Turner Broadcasting System UPS WestRock .