This week, Governor Josh Stein led a 51-member delegation to the Southeast United States (SEUS)/Japan Annual Joint Meeting in Tokyo. The group included North Carolina Department of Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley, Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC) CEO Christopher Chung, and state business leaders. The visit aimed to strengthen economic ties with Japan and attract more jobs to North Carolina.
“After a productive week, I am optimistic about what North Carolina and Japan will continue to achieve together,” said Governor Josh Stein. “Japan is the number one source of foreign direct investment in North Carolina, and we are eager to see our partnership deepen so more North Carolinians can secure good-paying jobs.”
“Our close economic ties with Japan are creating prosperity for North Carolina families,” said Department of Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley. “We continue to pursue new opportunities for growth by sharing why we’re the best state for business in America.”
“North Carolina is the perfect state for businesses looking to put roots down,” said Christopher Chung, CEO of the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina. “This week was monumental for strengthening our relationship with Japan and cementing the state’s increasingly important role in global trade and investment.”
“Toyota has found a strong partner in the State of North Carolina,” said Don Stewart, President of Toyota Battery Manufacturing North Carolina. “We will continue to prioritize this mutually beneficial partnership with the Tar Heel State as we embark on our journey to achieve carbon neutrality and provide mobility for all.”
During his time in Japan, Governor Stein hosted a reception for delegates and marked 50 years of partnership between Japan and North Carolina at the SEUS/Japan opening ceremony. At the end of the conference, he handed over leadership of the Southeast U.S./Japan Association to Tennessee Governor Bill Lee. Georgia Governor Brian Kemp also attended.
Governor Stein also traveled to Taiwan where he hosted a seminar for Taiwanese businesses such as Everest Textiles and Anderson Group—companies that have invested in job creation within North Carolina. He met representatives from Delta Electronics, which operates its regional research headquarters at Research Triangle Park.
In meetings with Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te, Vice-President Hsiao Bi-khim, Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung, and Deputy Economic Minister Cynthia Kiang, discussions focused on strengthening economic and cultural connections between Taiwan and North Carolina.
The 47th SEUS/Japan Annual Joint Meeting centered on themes like partnership, innovation, and growth. Panels addressed topics including bilateral business partnerships, space exploration opportunities between SEUS states and Japan, and higher education’s role in technological development.
While in Japan, Governor Stein held talks with Toyota executives regarding their $13.9 billion investment in Liberty that is expected to create over 5,100 jobs in Randolph County. He also met Asahi Kasei—a supplier of lithium-ion batteries—and discussed operations with Fujifilm following its recent $3.2 billion biotechnology facility opening in Holly Springs.
Meetings were also held with Sumitomo Pharma, Morinaga, Nipro, Kyowa Kirin—companies responsible for bringing more than 500 jobs to the state—as well as other firms considering investments.
Following the conference, Governor Stein presented information about North Carolina’s assets to Japanese companies associated with JETRO (Japan External Trade Organization). This year’s event saw the largest ever delegation from North Carolina attend SEUS/Japan meetings.
Japan is now both the leading source of foreign direct investment capital into North Carolina and job creation by foreign-owned firms; more than 36,000 residents work at Japanese-owned companies across the state. For three out of four years recently surveyed, North Carolina has been named America’s top state for business.
North Carolina joined SEUS/Japan Association as a charter member in 1976; it opened its first business office in Tokyo two years later—a presence maintained ever since. Today there are 225 Japanese companies operating significantly within the state.
