Knox County leaders say a recent trade mission to Japan underscored the message that the county is “open for business and ready to be a trusted global partner.”

Economic Development CEO Chris Pfaff and Vincennes Mayor Joe Yochum joined other Indiana mayors and trade officials in Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya earlier this month. They attended the Midwest U.S.–Japan Conference and met directly with executives from Futaba Indiana of America and Excell USA about local operations and growth opportunities.

Pfaff called the meetings productive, saying face-to-face contact strengthened Knox County’s profile with Japanese investors. Indiana already ranks first in the Midwest for Japanese foreign direct investment, with more than 300 Japanese-related companies employing nearly 70,000 Hoosiers.