Seven Japanese business professionals visited Findlay for 10 days as part of the 2024 Findlay / Fukui International Business Seminar in October. The group honed their English-speaking skills, experienced a whirlwind of business perspective, soaked in American culture, sparked friendships, and made memories to last a lifetime.
At the conclusion of a 10-day trip to Findlay last week, a group of business professionals from Japan expressed appreciation for an educational, life-changing experience.
Findlay’s seven visitors, from Fukui City, Japan, were hand-picked by their companies to participate in the 2024 Findlay Fukui International Business Seminar, which ran this year from Oct. 21 to Oct. 31. The seminar is hosted by Findlay Hancock Couty Economic Development (FHCED) and the University of Findlay and serves as an important bridge of exchange established with the Fukui Chamber of Commerce. (Fukui is a prefecture in Japan, equivalent to a state in the U.S.) The agreement is a result of a robust, 40-year friendship and cultural exchange with Japan. Findlay is home to seven Japanese manufacturing companies.
It has been an honor to welcome this group to Findlay,” said Chris Keller, director of strategic initiatives for FHCED. “They are an exceptional group of people who shared fresh perspectives in business and cultural insight. They left us with a renewed energy – and we hope to see them in Japan in the future.”
The group experienced a whirlwind of business perspective, American culture, and the continuous necessity to speak English. Program goals were to learn innovative business practices by visiting facilities and meeting Findlay area business leaders, and to develop prowess of American culture and the English language. The professionals became adept at “small talk” and, as a culmination of their trip, presented in English about their companies, the work they do, and their life mission statements upon reflection of the experience.
“I enjoyed learning about the Findlay Formula, how economic development works together with everyone,” said Eriko Watanabe from company KowaEmori, during her address. “It has been interesting learning different business practices. …and I have been having a hard time with work and my kids and family and having balance – now I think when I go home, I can put it back into place.”
The agenda was organized by Dr. Hiro Kawamura, associate professor of Japanese at UF and special assistant to the director for FHCED. Local leaders in business, education and government spent time with the group through presentations, company tours and evening house parties, and there were ample opportunities to sample American cuisine and drinks. To name a few highlights, the professionals heard presentations from FHCED, Findlay Mayor Christina Muryn, local businessman Paul Worstell and an online meeting with Honda America, and were provided tours of Marathon, DNC Hydraulics, Ohio Logistics, Roki, Whirlpool and Valfilm. Outside of Findlay, they journeyed to Port Clinton, Put-In-Bay, the Toledo Museum of Art and Armstrong Air & Space Museum.
When sharing how the trip affected their personal mission statement, each expressed gratitude for the experience, friendships made, and a new perspective in life.
“My mission will be to laugh and to make other people laugh,” said Gaito Hyoda, who represented Matsuura Machinery and ended his presentation by slyly slipping on sunglasses and extending an emphatic index finger in the air. “I have enjoyed this trip very much. You have all made me laugh – I will keep smiling.”
On the last day of their visit, seminar participants spoke on the highlights of their trip, offering gained insight and many laughs at the Mazza Museum at the University of Findlay.
A group of local supporters and business leaders pose with the group of Japanese business professionals from Fukui, Japan after their last day presentations.
