Japan-Indiana insights, investments, current threats from China, Russia, North Korea
INDIANAPOLIS – Publicly confirming that the U.S.-Japan Alliance is a “cornerstone of peace, prosperity and freedom” in the Asia-Pacific region, Vice President Mike Pence will review current threats to democracy from China, Russia, North Korea and others at the Japan-America Society of Indiana Gala Oct. 17. The Vice President, who also served as the 50th Governor of Indiana, will share his insights on the heightened importance of the Japan-U.S. relationship and global alliances to meet and counter increasing geopolitical challenges.
“Given his continued leadership role in international and national affairs, Vice President Pence holds a unique vantage of the U.S.-Japan relationship and its critical economic and political importance to both the nation and our state,” said Theresa Kulczak, JASI Executive Director. “The United States and Japan jointly face many new developments from shifts in global and regional power balances, and we look forward to hearing Vice President Pence’s insights and perspectives.”
JASI will also confer the JASI Bridge of Friendship Award on Vice President Pence in recognition of distinguished leadership in support of relations between the two counties.
In addition to comments from Vice President Pence, the Oct. 17 JASI Gala will feature remarks from The Honorable Jun Yanagi, Consul-General of Japan in Chicago, and Takashi Nakagawa, Chief Executive Director of JETRO Chicago.
“Japan has been the world’s No. 1 investor to the U.S. for four consecutive years, creating nearly one million U.S. jobs,” noted Consul-General Jun Yangi, highlighting the importance the Japanese nation places on the United States. He added: “In Indiana alone, 313 Japanese business facilities provide 70,000 U.S. jobs.”
This major job creation is representative of the fact that Japanese companies have invested more than $11.7 billion in their Indiana operations since 2003.
“Indiana represents the largest amount of Japanese investment per capita among all U.S. states and is one of only two American states that are home to three Japanese original equipment manufacturers, Honda, Subaru and Toyota,” Kulczak continued “We anticipate strong interest in these remarks,”.
The JASI Executive Director noted that the combination of Vice President Pence with regional Japanese government leaders is expected to provide “substantial insight” for Indiana and regional executives and policy leaders. “This evening promises to be a worthy and memorable event,” she said.
The Japan-America Society of Indiana’s Annual Gala brings together corporate and community leaders across Indiana and Midwest region.
Details about the Thursday, Oct. 17 event at the Indiana Ballroom are available online or by calling: 317-635-0123.
Gala Sponsors: AISIN; Barnes & Thornburg; Honda Indiana Auto Plant; Hoosier Energy; Indiana Economic Development Corporation; Subaru of Indiana Automotive; Toyota Indiana; Duke Energy; Eli Lilly & Company; Force Construction Company, Inc.; Greater Columbus Economic Development Corporation; NTN; Toyota Material Handling; Cornerstone Environmental, Health & Safety, a Foresight Partner Company; Elwood Staffing; Gaylor Electric; Hitachi Astemo Indiana; Integrity Metals; INzone; MEK Group; Ogletree Deakins; Radius Indiana; Seymour-Jackson County Industrial Development Corporation; Stratosphere Quality; TASUS/Tsuchiya Group North America; TOA (USA)
With support from: Consulate-General of Japan in Chicago; JETRO Chicago
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About the Japan-America Society of Indiana (JASI)
The Japan-America Society of Indiana (JASI) is a not-for-profit cultural and educational organization whose mission is to serve as a bridge of friendship between the people of Indiana and Japan through the promotion of cultural understanding and economic partnerships. The Society is supported by a statewide membership of businesses, communities, academic institutions, families, and individuals.
JASI sponsors a wide range of cultural events, networking receptions, public affairs programs and business briefings that explore current issues in the Japan-U.S. relationship. JASI’s outreach programs provide Indiana communities and youth throughout the state with educational experiences of Japanese culture. The JASI Japan Culture Center and its bilingual staff serve as an information resource.
The Japan-America Society of Indiana is a member of the National Association of Japan-America Societies, headquartered in Washington D.C., which includes over forty societies nationwide. For more information, please visit: https://www.japanindiana.org/english/index.html
Media inquiries:
Michael Snyder, MEK 317-805-4870 msnyder@themekgroup.com
Japan-America Society of Indiana – 317-635-0123 theresa.kulczak@japanindiana.org