Business leaders to attend Southeast U.S./Japan Association Conference

Gov. Jim Hodges will host over 600 American and Japanese business leaders at the annual Southeast U.S./Japan Association Conference to be held at Charleston Place September 14-17, 2002.

SE U.S./Japan is comprised of business leaders from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia along with Japanese business leaders and government officials. The association was created in 1976 as a way to strengthen business relationships, increasing economic activity between the Southeastern states and Japan.

South Carolina is Japan’s fifth largest export trading partner in the U.S., and according to the South Carolina Department of Commerce, this is in part due to South Carolina’s commitment to developing relationships with Japan through associations like SE U.S./Japan.

The theme of this year’s conference is “Moving Forward in Unity.” Primary discussion topics include international trade, industrial development, technology, culture and education; these topics will be addressed by speakers and during breakout sessions.

While Japanese members of the association remain largely unchanged from year to year, different representatives from the participating Southeastern states are invited each year to the conference. According to organizers on the American side, this is done to reflect the rapidly changing face of business in the Southeast. The Southeastern states’ selection process also focuses on businesses interested in developing relationships with Japan, such as BellSouth, Wachovia Bank MUSC and others.

Invitations from Gov. Hodges have gone out to Southeastern businesses, and while the total list of attendees has not yet been finalized, over 600 delegates are expected at this year’s conference. Japanese affiliates located in South Carolina, such as Honda, Fuji Film and Hitachi, are also expected to attend.

Event organizers view this annual meeting as crucial for ensuring continued positive business relationships with Japan. “The business climate in Japan is predicated on relationships more than any other aspect,” says Helen Munnerlyn, spokesperson for the South Carolina Department of Commerce. “Over the last 20 years this association has grown from less than 100 participants to over 600, and it has helped us establish lasting relationships with our Japanese associates.”

The location for the SE U.S./Japan Conference rotates each year between Japan and the Southeastern U.S., with the seven participating states taking turns as hosts. South Carolina last hosted the event in 1988, when it was also held in Charleston.

Charleston was chosen for a second time for several reasons. “Charleston is historically considered an international city because of its port access,” says Munnerlyn, who also emphasizes Charleston’s longtime reputation of showing good old-fashioned Southern hospitality.