Governor Roy Cooper Leads North Carolina Delegation to Strengthen Economic Ties with Japan

Why It Matters:

This trip is crucial for strengthening economic ties between North Carolina and Japan, one of the state's largest trading partners. It also sets the stage for next year's SEUS/Japan Conference in Charlotte, which will further showcase North Carolina's economy.

The Details:

• Governor Cooper aims to recruit new businesses with better-paying jobs for North Carolina while encouraging industry leaders to attend next year's SEUS/Japan Conference.

• SEUS/Japan is a significant economic development partnership between eight southeastern US states and Japan, home to 225 companies with a strong presence in North Carolina.

• Thousands of North Carolinians work at Japanese-owned companies, and more job opportunities are expected in the coming years.

• Toyota, HondaJet, and Fujifilm are among the companies that have made significant investments in North Carolina recently.

• The Governor's delegation includes Secretary of Commerce Machelle Baker Sanders, Executive Director Chris Chung, and other economic development leaders.

• The delegation will meet with Japanese business leaders and government officials to strengthen relationships and attract new jobs to North Carolina.

• Governor Cooper has prioritized recruiting high-paying jobs from Japanese companies in industries like aerospace, electric vehicles, and biotech.

Conclusion:

Governor Cooper's trip to Japan is a crucial step in strengthening economic cooperation between North Carolina and Japan. It paves the way for next year's SEUS/Japan Conference, showcasing the state's economy and attracting more investments.