To promote Japanese contribution to the United States’ investment landscape, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida visited North Carolina in April to tour the site of Toyota Motor Corp.’s electric and hybrid battery plant in the city of Greensboro.
Kishida’s visit marked a historic moment in U.S.-Japan relations because it was the first time since 1891 that a foreign head of state visited the governor’s mansion and the first time in a decade that a Japanese prime minister visited the state.
“I am honored to be here in North Carolina to showcase the multilayered and strong ties between the United States and Japan,” Kishida told guests at the luncheon at the state governor’s mansion. He also lauded North Carolina for being a state “at the forefront of the times.”
Japan remains North Carolina’s largest foreign direct investor, employing over 30,000 people in over 200 Japanese companies.
According to the Environmental Defense Fund, North Carolina leads all U.S. states in electric vehicle (EV) investment, attracting over $19 billion in the past year. This is attributed to its world-class infrastructure, skilled workforce, and favorable local policies.
Capitalizing on that environment, Japanese automakers have expanded their EV production capacity in the state. Toyota invested an additional $8 billion in its Greensboro battery plant, raising its total capital investment to around $14 billion and generating more than 5,000 new jobs.
Chiaki Takagi, a Japanese studies lecturer at the University of North Carolina Greensboro, highlighted the significance of Kishida’s visit: “This whole thing will provide the area with opportunities to be engaged in very active cultural exchange between Japan and the U.S.”
