Governor Perdue Opens SEUS-Japan Conference

TOKYO, Japan, October 15, 2007  – Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue today addressed about 600 delegates during opening ceremonies of the three-day SEUS-Japan conference, calling the legendary Yoshino cherry trees of Japan and their counterparts in the city of Macon, Ga., 'a fitting symbol of the connections and partnership' between Japan and Georgia. "We are proud that those Japanese trees thrive in Georgia soil. But plants aren't the only things that thrive on southern soil," said Governor Sonny Perdue. "We value the personal connections and relationships that we have developed over the years, especially thanks to the outstanding help of organizations like SEUS-Japan." Governor Perdue also praised Georgia business assets, noting that the state's talented workforce, outstanding logistics network, great quality of life and strategic location as the gateway to the American South, have helped attract 341 Japanese companies to the state. These companies employ more than 30,000 people and include prominent firms like Yanmar, YKK, Toyo Tire, Nichiha and Suzukaku, which have all recently located or expanded in Georgia. Governor Perdue also paid tribute in his remarks to former Georgia Governor George Busbee, who created the SEUS-Japan Association in 1975 to establish ties of trade, investment, tourism, education, culture and friendship between seven southeastern U.S. states and Japan. On Sunday evening, Columbus-based Aflac continued its support of this conference by sponsoring the annual Georgia reception for the 8th consecutive year. The Governor George Busbee Award is presented each year at the reception, awarded to the person who has contributed the most towards building ever stronger relationships between Japan and our state. Governor Perdue presented this year's award to Yumiko Nakazono, the managing director of Georgia's Japan office. Ms. Nakazono joined the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) in 1989 as a project manager in the Tokyo office. She was named to her present position of managing director in 1994, with oversight responsibilities for the entire department's recruitment, trade and tourism promotion activities. Ms. Nakazono graduated from Kagoshima University with a Bachelor of Arts in English and American literature and linguistics. The SEUS-Japan conference location rotates annually between Japan and one of the participating states and is attended by governors, senior government officials and top business leaders. Georgia last hosted the event in 2004. Other governors attending the SEUS-Japan Conference this year include Governor Bob Riley of Alabama and Governor Phil Bredesen of Tennessee. Between attending sessions of the conference, whose theme this year is 'Building on Three Decades of Success,' Governor Perdue, Georgia Department of Economic Development Commissioner Ken Stewart and other members of the Georgia delegation will call on a number of Japanese businesses. This is Governor Perdue's third visit to Japan since taking office in 2003. Governor Perdue's delegation will next head to Korea to call on companies, including several Kia suppliers before returning to the U.S. on October 19. A copy of the Governor's itinerary is posted on the Web site www.StateofGeorgiamissions.com, which will also be updated with news and photos during the course of the mission. **Editor's Note: The full text of Governor Perdue's remarks at the opening session can be read below. SEUS Japan Opening session 15 October 2007 Each spring for the last 25 years, the city of Macon, just a half hour from my hometown in Middle Georgia, hosts a Cherry Blossom Festival. The cherry trees in Georgia may not be nearly as ancient as the 1,000 and 2,000 year-old ones you have here, but I can vouch that they're just as beautiful. In 1949 a man named William Fickling came across the first Yoshino cherry tree in Macon. No one knew what it was – though the conditions in Middle Georgia are perfect for the trees to thrive, they were very rare in the south. Fickling traveled to Washington, DC, where he found out what kind of tree he had, learned how to propagate it, and planted more Yoshino cherry trees throughout the town. The community joined in, planting hundreds of trees all over Macon, and the annual festival began. Over the last 50 years we've planted a 275,000 Yoshino trees, and the festival has become a large part of Macon's heritage. Every single one of those trees traces its ancestry back to Japan. We are proud that those Japanese trees thrive in Georgia soil. But plants aren't the only things that thrive on southern soil. In Georgia, almost 350 Japanese companies employ 30,200 people. Prominent Japanese firms like Yanmar, YKK and Suzukaku have all recently announced plans to locate or expand in Georgia. Nichiha USA is about to open a $78 million plant in Macon. And of course, we held the grand opening for Toyo Tires's $180 million facility that created 350 jobs nearly two years ago. Japanese companies appreciate Georgia's perfect location as the Gateway to the American South. Our outstanding transportation network help companies move goods and people across the country – and the world – with ease. Our logistics offer opportunities that no other state in the southeast can match. Our ports are booming – Savannah is the single fastest-growing port in the country. Our roadways are among the best-maintained in the country. Georgia is home to the world's busiest airport, less than a two hour flight from 80% of US markets, and Delta Airlines offers a daily direct flight to Tokyo. Opportunities abound in our state, and we want to share them with the world. Japanese companies are eager to employ Georgia's talented workforce and to take advantage of our #1-ranked Quickstart program, an employee training program tailored to each company's specific needs. Our workforce is strong and talented, and we value a culture of hard work and innovation. For example, every year, Georgia Tech in Atlanta, one of the country's most highly respected and well-funded research institutions, graduates more engineers than any other university in the nation. These are all talented, eager prospective employees. People also come to enjoy our great quality of life. And we are happy to welcome them home to Georgia. Japan is one of my state's most valued trading partners, with imports and exports totaling $5.6 billion in 2006. But it's not all business – the cultural and educational ties between Japan and the American South run deep and strong. A former Governor of Georgia, George Busbee, was a good friend to many of us in this room today. When he was sworn in as Governor in 1975, he had the foresight and vision to recognize the importance of a relationship with Japan. He knew that to ensure a bright future in a changing world, the Southeast needed strong ties of friendship, culture and commerce with the people of Japan. We are proud to carry on his legacy. We value the personal connections and relationships that we have developed over the years, especially thanks to the outstanding help of organizations like SEUS. So I believe the cherry tree is more than a beautiful symbol of the ancient and proud nation of Japan. And it's more than a springtime celebration of cherry blossoms in Middle Georgia. It's a fitting symbol of the connections and partnership between Japan and our states. It's a symbol of the prosperity that blossoms out of mutual respect and admiration. With each side giving something of itself, together, as partners, we create a strong and lasting relationship that will continue to blossom for generations to come.