Indiana Governor Mike Braun today announced that Indiana will host the 56th annual joint meeting of the Midwest U.S.-Japan Association and the Japan-Midwest U.S. Associations this year.
Indiana Office of Commerce news release:
Indiana to Host 56th Annual Midwest U.S.-Japan Association Conference
Indianapolis, Indiana (April 30, 2026) – Indiana Governor Mike Braun today announced that Indiana will host the 56th annual joint meeting of the Midwest U.S.-Japan Association (MWJA) and the Japan-Midwest U.S. Associations (JMWA) this year, bringing the event back to the Hoosier state for the first time since 2006. The event, hosted by Gov. Braun and organized in partnership with the Japan-America Society of Indiana, will strengthen ties between Indiana and Japan and create new opportunities for shared growth across business, innovation and workforce.
“Indiana is proud to act as the host site for 2026, and we recognize the importance of this alliance,” said Gov. Braun. “Just as Indiana works to engage our regions for economic development, this association’s global strategy helps us gather industry and government leaders across states and regions of the U.S. to help grow key partnerships with Japan that further innovation.”
The MWJA Conference, which will be held Sept. 9-11, 2026, at the Westin Indianapolis, is an annual event focused on increasing cooperation between Japan and U.S. Midwest states to advance foreign direct investment, trade, innovation, talent development, and community and cultural exchanges that improve the lives of residents. The event is expected to attract more than 500 attendees, including government officials, business executives and community leaders from the bilateral organization’s eight Japanese prefectures (Chiba, Gunma, Nagano, Niigata, Saitama, Shiga, Shizuoka, Tochigi and Yamanashi), 11 U.S. states (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio and Wisconsin) and approximately 200 corporations.
Indiana stakeholders engaged in business, industry and local and regional economic development are encouraged to learn more about the event online. Registration will start in May. The conference will provide opportunities to meet and network with Japanese prefectural governments, Japanese business executives and industry leaders, as well as representatives of the U.S. Midwest engaged in furthering U.S.-Japan relations.
“Indiana is regarded as a leader in the Japan-Midwest U.S. relationship due to the breadth of the state’s economic and cultural partnerships with Indiana,” said Theresa Kulczak, executive director of the Japan-America Society of Indiana. “We look forward to supporting Governor Braun and the Indiana Office of Commerce in delivering a stellar and impactful MWJA Conference, showcasing the state’s economy, industry and innovation, and setting an even higher bar for this prestigious gathering.”
Indiana counts Japan as the state’s largest foreign investor, supporting more than 290 Japanese business facilities that support nearly 62,000 Hoosier jobs. Among all U.S. states, Indiana has the largest amount of Japanese investment per capita. Indiana shares a 25-plus-year sister state relationship with Tochigi Prefecture as well as formal partnerships with Aichi and Gunma Prefectures focused on growing key business sectors.
The MWJA Conference alternates between Japan and U.S. Midwest member states. Indiana previously hosted in 2006 and 1989. Learn more by visiting the Midwest U.S.-Japan Association online.
About the Indiana Office of Commerce
The State of Indiana’s Office of Commerce was created by Governor Mike Braun to align and accelerate the state’s economic development efforts and is led by Indiana Secretary of Commerce David J. Adams.
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