Several local officials, including Sidney Mayor Mike Barhorst, Shelby County Commissioner Julie Ehemann and Sidney-Shelby Economic Partnership Director James Hill attended the 2024 Midwest Japan-America Conference. The conference was held September 8-10 in Columbus at the Hilton Columbus.

The opening ceremonies featured the playing of the National Anthems of both Japan and the United States, followed by remarks from Consul General of Japan in Detroit Yusuke Shindo, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, Shiga Prefecture Goveror Taizo Mikazuki, Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers, Saitama Prefecture Governor Motohiro Ono, Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb and Gunma Prefecture Governor Ichita Yamamoto.

Governor Yamamoto received a standing ovation when he closed his remarks with his rendition of Purple Rain. Governor Yamamoto both sang the vocals and played a guitar while beautiful photos of Gunma Prefecture were shown on the large screens that flanked the stage.

In his remarks, Gov. DeWine noted that Ohio was named the number one state in Site Selection’s 2023 Global Groundwork Index. The index captures where private and public sector physical facility investment are converging for the public good and increased prosperity. He also noted that Ohio offers the lowest tax burden in the Midwest.

Gov. DeWine also noted that Ohio ranks third among the states with having the largest manufacturing workforce in the United States. He also noted that Ohio has the seventh largest economy in the United States, and the 21st largest economy in the world.

Presentations throughout the conference included sessions on “Sustainable Mobility-Electric Vehicle, Hydrogen, and Sustainable Aviation Fuel”, “Global Innovations for a Healthier Future”, “Construction & Site Selection”, and “Creating, Attracting & Retaining the Talent of Tomorrow.”

Speakers included the Japanese Ambassador to the United States H.E. Shigeo Yamada, Director of Ohio’s Department of Development Lydia Mahalik, Canon Healthcare CEO Dr. Hiroyuki Fujita, Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs for Honda of America Jennifer Thomas, and Consul General of Japan in Chicago Jun Yanagi, among numerous other corporate and political leaders.

The annual conference is held in Japan or the United States in alternate years. Next year’s conference will be held in Tokyo. It will be held in Indianapolis in 2026.

“I always find such events great opportunities to meet key officials new to their positions,” Barhorst said. “For example, I recently received a letter from Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) Chicago Chief Executive Director Hiroyuki Nemoto, advising that he was being transferred back to Japan to help organize Expo 2025, the World’s Fair that will be held in Osaka. He was able to introduce me to his replacement, Takashi Nakagawa. Nakagawa in turn introduced me to JETRO CEO Norihiko Ishiguro, who had flown in from Tokyo for the conference.”

Ehemann agreed.

“Meeting people and learning how quickly things are evolving is probably the most important thing I take away from such conferences,” Ehemann said.

“It was also another opportunity to speak briefly with Governor DeWine and Director Mahalik,” Barhorst said. “There are a number of projects currently in the works, and certainly the opportunity to discuss them even briefly is advantageous.”