Asa Hutchinson
Gov. Asa Hutchinson is continuing his trade mission in Asia, beginning his second full day in Japan with a schedule that includes a speech at a luncheon hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce Wednesday in Nagoya.
The governor, who spoke with reporters via conference call Tuesday afternoon, said he spent his first full day in Japan visiting with executives from two Japanese firms with operations in Arkansas: Hino Motors Manufacturing USA Inc., which has a plant in Marion that makes parts for Toyota vehicles; and Tokusen USA Inc., which has a plant in Conway that makes metal wire for use in vehicles, electrical appliances and industrial equipment.
The governor noted that Hino is working to expand. In October 2013, it said it would invest $55 million and add 200 jobs to its 400,000-SF plant, with most of the jobs coming online in 2017. The expansion, helped along with incentives offered through the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, will include adding a new building to increase its capacity to make axles, knuckles and suspension components for Toyota’s Tacoma, Tundra and Sequoia trucks.
More: Hutchinson defends his opposition to relocating any Syrian refugees in the state.
On Wednesday, his second full day in the country, Hutchinson was scheduled to visit with industrial prospects that might do business in Arkansas.
Hutchinson called the Japan economy “somewhat sluggish.” On Monday, new economic data showed the country had slid back into recession.
“But they have historic and dynamic businesses that have touched the markets in China and Vietnam, Thailand — they’ve been aggressive in the Asian market,” Hutchinson said. “But they would like to get into the United States market because of the exchange rates and other logistical challenges.
“They’re not just simply looking at producing here in Japan and selling to the United States — or exporting [to] the United States and selling to the United States — they’re actually looking at manufacturing opportunities in the United States,” he said.
J.R. Davis, the governor’s spokesman, said Wednesday’s luncheon speech will be about touting Arkansas’ strengths to prospective business partners. He said the governor wants to highlight that international companies with major operations in Asia, including Wal-Mart Stores Inc. of Bentonville and Tyson Foods Inc. of Springdale, are headquartered in Arkansas.
The American Chamber of Commerce in Japan aims to develop commerce between the U.S. and Japan. It has offices in Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya and says it represents about 3,000 members from more than 1,000 companies and more than 40 countries.
The governor will leave Japan on Thursday, arriving in China to meet with another industrial prospect in Qingdao before heading to Jinan, the capital of Shandong province. He’s set to return to Arkansas on Tuesday.
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