Japan-Midwest summit in Indianapolis spotlights nearly 290 Japanese-owned Indiana facilities and about 62,000 jobs

An estimated 500 business, government and academic leaders from Japan and the Midwest met in Indianapolis for a three-day conference, the 56th annual joint meeting of the Midwest U.S.-Japan Association and the Japan-Midwest U.S. Association, according to the Sept. 11, 2026 report. The event was hosted by Gov. Mike Braun and organized with the Japan-America Society of Indiana.

Indiana officials used the summit to emphasize the state's economic ties with Japan, citing nearly 290 Japanese-owned business facilities operating in Indiana that employ about 62,000 Hoosiers. The conference included representatives from about 40 Japanese companies and government/trade organizations, covered advanced manufacturing, life sciences, semiconductors, AI, workforce development and infrastructure, and featured tours of Purdue University and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

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