Milwaukee will host the September 2008 Midwest U.S.-Japan Conference, according to Gov. Jim Doyle.
The event deals with strengthening ties between Japanese and U.S. business executives. Japan is currently Wisconsin's third highest export destination, according to a release by Doyle's office.
Japan is an important partner to many Wisconsin businesses and I am pleased to welcome the 2008 conference to Milwaukee,"" Doyle said in a statement.
Edward Friedman, professor of political science at UW-Madison, said it is not surprising the conference will be held in Wisconsin considering how beneficial trade with Japan has been in the state.
""Wisconsin is really one of the few states in the union with a trade surplus with Japan,"" Friedman said.
The large manufacturing plant for Kikkoman soy sauce in Walworth, Wis. is just one example of Japan's economic presence in the state, Friedman said. The plant produced over 27 million gallons of soy sauce in 2005 according to a statement by Daniel P. Miller, vice president of Kikkoman foods.
Friedman also said that Harley-Davidson motorcycles are highly prized in Japan by wealthy elites. The motorcycle company, which is based in Milwaukee, was a likely reason for the conference coming to the city, according to UW-Madison associate professor of History Louise Young.
""For Harley-Davidson, Japan is a key export market,"" Young said.
During the 1970s, when Japan was often seen as a trade rival of the United States, the Japanese government worked hard to increase Japan's positive image, Young said.
Through programs like sister cities, exchange students and founding Japanese studies programs at universities, Japan has gradually been seen less as a trade rival and more a economic partner according to Young.
Young said the growth of the Chinese economy has also helped to decrease views of Japan being bad for U.S. businesses.
The Midwest U.S.-Japan Association, a group composed of major Japanese businesses and several Midwest states, sponsors the 2008 conference.
