We are delighted to launch our inaugural JAMA USA newsletter, which looks to highlight our office’s exciting activities periodically throughout the year as well as showcase recent, meaningful contributions of our members! Stay tuned to learn more about our efforts as the principal source for the Japanese automobile industry in the U.S.
The past few months have already been fruitful and exciting, particularly with Prime Minister Kishida’s visit on April 10. The importance of the U.S.-Japan alliance was on full display, prefaced by the early arrival of the cherry blossom season in Washington D.C. and the annual Sakura Matsuri. Our annual data was also released just ahead of the high-level visit to highlight JAMA members’ long legacy of foreign direct investment across America.
JAMA USA Office Highlights
Annual Delegation
From March 4-6, JAMA USA is proud to have hosted yet another successful delegation in Washington D.C. consisting of our members from Tokyo and colleagues from our members’ U.S. operations.
We had the distinct privilege of welcoming a number of policy and industry experts to discuss timely issues including the upcoming elections and implications, the state of trade policy, U.S.- Japan economic ties, supply chains, electrification, workforce development and much more.
These delegations are important opportunities to discuss timely policy topics of particular relevance for our members and chart our key focus areas for the coming year.
Annual Data Release
On April 4, JAMA USA published its annual data release, which highlights Japanese-brand automakers’ significant and historic investment in the U.S. economy.
Japan has been the consecutive top provider of foreign direct investment (FDI) in the U.S. for the past four years, reflecting the robust economic ties between both countries. Japanese-brand automakers hit a record high $61.6 billion in cumulative manufacturing investment in 2023, and directly employ over 108,000 U.S. workers. JAMA members’ contributions have formed a cornerstone of this strong, bilateral relationship.
To view digital leave behind with the latest data, please see here.
General Director Joins Hudson Institute Panel
On April 5, ahead of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s official visit to Washington, JAMA USA’s General Director, Anita Rajan, was invited to speak on a panel at a Hudson Institute Conference, “Stronger Together: the Importance of US-Japan Economic Relations.”
In her remarks, Rajan spoke on the important role that Japanese-brand automakers’ sustained and significant investments play in the U.S. and how this has directly helped to strengthen the U.S.-Japan relationship. View a recording of the event here.
Following the event, Rajan also penned an op-ed, “Foundational to U.S.-Japan Relations: Good-Quality FDI.” The piece makes the case for how good-quality FDI continues to play a foundational role in the strong economic ties between the U.S. and Japan. Read the op-ed here.
Prime Minister Kishida's Official Visit
On April 10, the JAMA USA team was deeply honored to participate in the welcoming ceremony for the Japanese Prime Minister, Fumio Kishida, at the South Lawn of the White House.
This was a momentous occasion for the team to join the Biden Administration and the Prime Minister in celebrating the strong and deepening ties between the U.S. and Japan. It was also an opportunity to also laud/amplify the important role that our members have historically played in strengthening economic and people-to-people ties all across America. We look forward to seeing the bilateral relationship continue to deepen in a myriad of ways!
Member Spotlights
Toyota Advances STEM Education via $9.3 Million Grant to Schools
JAMA members contribute to helping build U.S. competitiveness and one critical way in which this is accomplished is by helping develop community programs that aim to build out the pipeline for future experts in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math).
Toyota USA Foundation’s Driving Possibilities program has worked with communities across America to help close educational gaps in STEM programming and build a pipeline of excellence to meet the workforce needs of the future. In its most recent pledge just this past March, Toyota USA Foundation announced grants of up to $9.3 million in Arizona to help students prepare for future careers across a five-year period.
Honda Flagship Auto Plant Celebrates its Production of 15 Million Vehicles
Just this past April, Honda’s Marysville, Ohio plant, which is the automaker’s first manufacturing facility in the U.S., celebrated the production of its 15 millionth vehicle. Honda begin manufacturing its first automobiles in 1982 and the facility has now grown to employ more than 10,000 associates and with an investment of more than $10 billion.
The same plant in Marysville, Ohio is undergoing a historic transformation to become Honda’s first North American plant to produce a battery electric vehicle. In 2022, Honda announced a $700 million investment to create the Ohio EV Hub, which looks to lead the future of automotive innovation in the U.S.