IMMEDIATE RELEASE

JAPAN UPDATE 2015:
A Forecast for Japan and Indiana
On Wednesday, February 25th, the Japan-America Society of Indiana will present the "JapanUpdate 2015", an annual conference providing a business, economic and international relations
outlook for the year with discussion of key developments and projections for Japan, Indianaand Asia. The conference will be held at the Hyatt Regency Indianapolis. The National
Association of Japan-America Societies and the Sasakawa Peace Foundation are co-presentingorganizations.
Indiana Governor Mike Pence will deliver Keynote Luncheon remarks with Consul General ofJapan Masaharu Yoshida. The “Japan Update” Opening Address will be presented by Takeo
Nishitani, Chairman of Weber Shandwick Japan, Tokyo.
Distinguished speakers and industry leaders will take an in-depth look at the Indiana-Japan
relationship in the areas of investment, manufacturing and trade. Melanie Hart, President of
the Japan-America Society of Indiana and CEO of Tsuchiya Industries North America
commented, “We are honored to welcome and unite business leaders and officials from theState of Indiana, the Midwest and Japan who will share their insights and challenges at what
has become the annual ‘must attend’ event for industry leaders.”
Speakers include (in alphabetical order):Kevin Butt, General Manager/Regional Environmental Director, Toyota Motor Engineering &Manufacturing, North America
Tom Easterday, Executive Vice President, Secretary, and Chief Legal Officer, Subaru of Indiana
Automotive
Melanie Hart, President, Tsuchiya Group North America
Shinichi Iizuka, President, TOA Industries Co., Limited, Japan
Henry Jackson, CEO, Millennium Steel Services
Doug Johnson, President, JA BenefitsPeter Kelley, President, National Association of Japan-America Societies
Pete Morse, Partner, Barnes & Thornburg
Takeo Nishitani, Chairman, Weber Shandwick, Japan

The Honorable Mike Pence, Governor, State of Indiana
Jeff Platon, Chief Marketing Officer, Interactive Intelligence
Brad Rhorer, Manager of Associate Development, Subaru of Indiana Automotive
Ichiro Soné, Chief Executive Director, JETRO Chicago
Tony Suzuki, Director, State of Indiana Japan Office
Yoshiki Takada, President, SMC Corporation
Darren Wildman, Representative, Cummins-Komatsu Engine Company
The Honorable Masaharu Yoshida, Consul General of Japan, Consulate General of Japan in
ChicagoJoe Young, Director of Office of Japanese Affairs, U.S. Department of State
The annual Japan Update Conference provides a forecast for the year with discussion ofdevelopments for Japan and Indiana, as well as key issues for the Japan-U.S. alliance around theworld. The 2015 program will feature perspectives on the globalization and the localization ofJapanese manufacturing and business. The conference draws business, community,government, and economic development leaders from throughout the state and region.
The registration fee for the luncheon and conference is $150.00 for the public, $125.00 for
Japan-America Society of Indiana members. Full-time college students with I.D. are free (notincluding lunch). Registration is at 11:30 a.m., the keynote luncheon program with Governor
Pence and Consul General Yoshida begins at noon, and the afternoon conference sessions startat 1:30 p.m.; followed by a networking reception from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. For the fullconference schedule and to register online go to www.japanindiana.org
Corporate Sponsors: Barnes & Thornburg; Duke Energy; Hoosier Energy; Indiana Economic
Development Corporation; SMC Corporation of America; TOA (USA); AISIN Holdings of America;
Cornerstone Environmental, Health and Safety; DEEM; Enkei America; Honda Manufacturing ofIndiana; Indiana Packers Corporation; IUPUI; JPMorgan Chase Bank; KYB Americas Corporation;
Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart; Subaru of Indiana Automotive; TASUS Corporation;
Toyota Industrial Equipment Manufacturing; VECTREN Corporation.
Supporting Organizations: Indiana Economic Development Corporation; the Indiana Japan
Chamber, and the Indiana Manufacturers Association.
###About Japan-America Society of Indiana (JASI)
Founded in 1988 by community, business and academic leaders, the Japan-America Society ofIndiana (JASI) is a not-for-profit cultural, educational, and business-support organization which
serves as a bridge of friendship and cooperation between the people of Indiana and Japan. The
Society is supported by a diverse membership of businesses, communities, academic institutions,families and individuals. Annually, the Japan-America Society of Indiana reaches more than
10,000 individuals through its programs, outreach activities, and services. The Japan-America

Society of Indiana is a member of the National Association of Japan-America Societies,
headquartered in Washington D.C., which includes over forty Societies nationwide.