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IMPORTANT: As of July 1st, 2011, functions once performed by the Wisconsin Department of Commerce have been moved to other state agencies and the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation. The former Commerce web site will continue to exist for the next several months as resources are moved to new web site locations. We will make every attempt possible to direct our users to the new locations as web resources are moved.

Wisconsin To Host 40th Annual Midwest U.S.-Japan Conference

The 40th Annual Joint Meeting of the Midwest I.S. – Japan Association and the Japan – Midwest U.S. Association will take place in Milwaukee September 7-9, 2008. The theme of this year's conference will be "Empowering Innovation for Tomorrow's Opportunities." This will be Wisconsin's chance to showcase new technology and attract interest and investment from across the Pacific.

Starting in 1967, business leaders from the Midwest and Japan have met annually to discuss growth and progress of economic relations. The first meeting took place when a delegation from the Japan Committee for Economic Development was welcomed in Chicago by representatives of the Chicago Association of Commerce and Industry. What started in 1967 has grown to become the principal forum for bilateral trade and investment discussion between the Midwest and Japan.

The Midwest U.S.-Japan Association consists of ten member states: Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, and Wisconsin. The governments of the states cooperate within the Association (a) to increase understanding throughout the Midwest business community about Japanese markets and resources; (b) to showcase the Midwest as a dynamic business environment; (c) to develop knowledge in Japan of direct foreign investment opportunities in the Midwest; and (d) to encourage export development. The Japan-Midwest U.S. Association consists of businesses that have direct economic ties to the Midwest or are interested in developing them.

Confirmed speakers at the Milwaukee event include:

  • Tim Donahue, Principal Investigator, Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center
  • Toyoo Gyohten, Senior Advisor, The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi, Ltd. / President, Institute for International Monetary Affairs Shigeru Hayakawa President, Toyota North America, Inc.
  • Dr. Mark Little, Senior Vice President & Director, GE Global Research
  • Toru Nagashima, President & CEO, Teijin Limited
  • Kichisaburo Nomura, Executive Advisor, All Nippon Airways Co., Ltd.
  • Nobuo Ohashi Chairman, Mitsui & Co. Ltd.
  • Tadashi Okamura, Chairman, Toshiba Corporation
  • Stephen A. Roell, Chairman & CEO, Johnson Controls Inc.
  • Michael L. Swenson, President & CEO, Northern States Power Company-Wisconsin an Xcel Energy Company
  • Shigemi Tamura, Chairman, Tokyo Electric Power Company, Inc.
  • Fumio Tateishi, Executive Vice President, Omron Corporation
  • Keith Trafton, Chief Executive Officer, President, Super Steel Corporation
  • Jim Zeimer, CEO, Harley-Davidson

The conference agenda and full speakers list is available on-line at http://www.midwest-japan.org/schedule.htm.

-- Stanley Pfrang