Georgia Hosts Successful SEUS-Japan Conference

This October marked the 42nd SEUS-Japan conference, an annual event celebrating the longstanding diplomatic and economic ties between Japan and the Southeast United States. Since the inaugural event in 1976, SEUS-Japan has remained a hallmark of Southeast U.S.-Japan relations with hundreds of delegates convening each year to recognize the important relationship between the two regions. Georgia hosted this year’s conference, welcoming more than 430 delegates to the coastal city of Savannah. 

A History of Strong Relationships
There is a notable history of strong relationships between Japan and the State of Georgia. Georgia has had continuous economic development representation in Japan since 1973. Japan has grown to be one of Georgia’s leading investor nations and top trading partners with more than 500 Japanese facilities operating in Georgia employing more than 35,000 Georgians. Georgia is also home to the Consulate General of Japan in Atlanta, established in 1974.

The theme of this year’s conference, “Bridging Cultures. Celebrating Success.”, reflects the successful bi-lateral partnership the SEUS-Japan Alliance has cultivated over the last four decades. Created in 1976 by former Georgia Governor George Busbee, the Southeast U.S./Japan Association (SEUS-Japan) was established to promote trade, investment, understanding and friendship between Japan and the Southeastern United States. Member states include Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. SEUS-Japan has a Japanese counterpart, the Japan-U.S. Southeast Association.

The annual conference between the two associations is held on a rotational basis in Japan and the Southeastern U.S. with each of the seven states serving as host and co-host state for a two-year term. Georgia was proud to serve as the southeast host state for 2019 and looks forward to co-hosting the event when it returns to Tokyo in 2020.

Serving as the current chairman for the Southeast U.S./Japan Association is Virgil Miller, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Aflac, U.S.; President, Aflac Group. Aflac is headquartered in Columbus, Georgia and has been active in the Japanese market for more than 45 years and is one of the major insurance providers in Japan today. Mr. Miller serves alongside Mr. Teruo Asada, Former Chairman, Executive Advisor, Marubeni Corporation and chairman of the Japan-U.S. Southeast Association. Governor Brian P. Kemp served as Georgia’s official Head of Delegation.

Conference Highlights
The SEUS-Japan Conference offers a unique opportunity for government leaders, economic developers, businesses and community stakeholders to come together and participate in discussions, presentations and networking sessions with the goal of strengthening relations between the Southeast U.S. and Japan. 

This year’s conference agenda featured keynotes from distinguished speakers including John Murphy, Chief Financial Officer for The Coca-Cola Company and the Honorable Sonny Perdue, United States Secretary of Agriculture. Additionally, prominent officials from both Japan and the U.S. provided remarks including the Honorable Brian P. Kemp, Governor of the State of Georgia and His Excellency Shinsuke J. Sugiyama, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the United States and the new Consul General of Japan in Atlanta, Mr. Kazuyuki Takeuchi. 

Thematic roundtable discussions provided forums for attendees to hear from industry experts and gain insights on hot topic issues like logistics and supply chain innovation and managing successful workforce partnerships. Roundtable sessions featured a wide variety of experts from businesses across the Southeast U.S. and Japan including: 

• Kajima USA
• Marubeni America Corporation
• Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems Americas
• TOTO USA
• Toyo Tire Corporation
• Toyota Motor North America
• UPS
• YKK Corporation of America

With Georgia serving as host, conference attendees experienced the true meaning of southern hospitality with receptions highlighting Georgia Grown dishes and local Savannah entertainment as well as pre-conference tours featuring Savannah’s historic neighborhoods and culinary experiences. Guests also had the opportunity to visit a local manufacturing facility, Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems Savannah Machinery Works and the Georgia Ports Authority, one of the state’s economic engines with the fastest growing major container port in the nation.

Continuing partnerships and looking ahead
The conference concluded with the adoption of the Joint Statement between the two associations, a ceremonial exchange of gifts between the chairmen and the official announcement of the 43rd Annual Joint Meeting in Tokyo.

“The 42nd Annual Joint Meeting harkened back to the business roots of the conference, and looked ahead to future opportunities to strengthen the relationship between the Southeast United States and Japan. Throughout the program delegates from both sides reaffirmed their
commitment to work in partnership to further strengthen and celebrate the longstanding relationship between the two countries.”

-    Excerpt from the 42nd Annual Joint Meeting of the Southeast U.S/Japan Association and the Japan-U.S. Southeast Association, JOINT STATEMENT

With the conclusion of the 42nd Annual SEUS-Japan Conference, Georgia is committed to fostering strong partnerships between the Southeast U.S. and Japan and looks forward to serving as co-host for next year’s conference in Japan. The 43rd Annual Joint Meeting will be held in Tokyo October 8-10, 2020.

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For information about the SEUS-Japan Alliance, please contact [email protected] or visit www.seusjapan2019.com.