Japan's Close Ties with Georgia

Georgia and Japan have a long history of friendship and economic relations. Georgia has operated an international office in Japan for more than 40 years, and today, more than 400 Japanese facilities call Georgia home – a number that is increasing.
We are proud of Japan's growing presence in our state. Japan's economy is now the fourth largest in the world, bolstered by the fact that they are also the world's fourth largest importer and exporter.

Cultivating the Georgia-Japan Relationship for Decades

In August 2013, Gov. Nathan Deal traveled to Japan to meet with dignitaries and global business leaders to further strengthen our relationship. In fact, Gov. Deal's recent trip to Japan was in celebration of the 40-year operation of Georgia's office in Tokyo. 

Japan's growing presence in our state testifies to our strong international reach. Georgia has an excellent support structure for Japanese nationals, including:

  • Consulate-General of Japan
  • Japan External Trade Organization
  • Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Georgia – with more than 130 corporate members
  • Georgia Japanese Language School
  • Japan-America Society of Georgia



Georgia's cultural ties with Japan date back to 1912 when Japan gave thousands of cherry trees to the U.S., including Macon, Ga. Now, Georgia is home to the largest population of cherry trees in North America, and the Cherry Blossom Festival in March is not to be missed!

The Georgia – Japan Relationship 'Speaks Business'

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Georgia's ties with Japan aren't limited to gift giving. Georgia's relationship with Japan has also grown economically. Japan was Georgia's sixth-largest global trading partner in 2012. Since January 2013, there has been significant Japanese investment in Georgia's manufacturing and logistics sector. The three projects below explain how the Georgia-Japan relationship 'Speaks Business.'

Toyota Industries Facility

In January 2013, Toyota Industries announced a $350 million investment into a new manufacturing facility in Pendergrass, Ga., providing 320 jobs for the community. Toyota will also leverage the strengths of nearby TD Automotive Compressor Georgia, allowing Toyota's manufactured products to be assembled by TD Automotive Compressor Georgia

Hitachi Automotive Expansion

Hitachi Automotive sought to move its business closer to its customer base. Announced in May 2013, Hitachi Automotive chose to further expand its business in Monroe, Ga., investing $80 million into the expansion of its current manufacturing facility. The expansion will create 250 more jobs for Georgians.

Yachiyo Expansion

Yachiyo chose Carrollton Industrial Park as the site for its new facility, an expansion of the company's current North American plastic fuel tank and sunroof production plant. The new facility, a $30 million investment, will create 200 jobs over the next three years.

Georgia's booming automotive manufacturing industry and growing number of Japanese companies, strengthened by the fact that Georgia is now the No. 1 place in the nation for business, makes our state the ideal location for Japanese companies looking to expand or relocate.

We invite you to learn more about Georgia's foreign direct investment and why we are truly an international state.