Rush County Economic & Community Development Corporation (ECDC) Executive Director Greg Griffin and Rushville City Council President Mike Pavey are in Japan this week looking for ways to improve Rush County’s economic outlook and future.

Griffin e-mailed the Rushville Republican a few highlights of their trip, which follow.

Monday

Mike Pavey and I met with representatives of Tochigi Prefectural Government (Indiana's “sister state” in Japan) relative to the possibility of establishing a sister-city relationship with a city in Tochigi Prefecture. This is really a continuation of similar recent discussions that we have had with Tochigi representatives and the Japan-American Society in Indiana.

We also participated with other members of the Indiana Regional Economic Development Partnership in an investment seminar Monday discussing the advantages of locating in East-Central and Southern Indiana with select Japanese companies and investors. A "Tier 1” Honda supplier that Rush County has been working with also attended this seminar, so we had the opportunity to speak directly to this supplier.

Tuesday

Mike Pavey and I traveled by bullet train from Tokyo to meet with representatives of Fujitsu Ten in Kobe, Japan.

We met with (several) representatives of Fujitsu Ten.

The meeting included introductions, greetings from ECDC and the City of Rushville; discussions of workforce issues, operations and production issues; existing and future product lines and opportunities, Fujitsu Ten's customers, vendors and suppliers.

ECDC also toured the corporate production facilities. ECDC stressed to top management how important Fujitsu Ten is to the Rushville/Rush County community and the significant role Fujitsu Ten plays as corporate citizen of Rushville, Ind.

This meeting was arranged thanks to the assistance of Mr. Yoshio Kikura and Mr. Chuck Okada, Fujitsu Ten Rushville Operations. Mr. Chuck Okada also greatly assisted ECDC and City Of Rushville with translation of letters and marketing materials used on this investment mission to Japan.

Mr. Masanori Hanaoka, chairman and representative director, will be traveling to Fujitsu Ten, Rushville Monday to meet with local plant management. He may also meet with Mayor Bob Bridges.

Wednesday

Mike Pavey and I will participate in delegation meetings with Honda officials.