University of Findlay Hosts Findlay Japan Business Seminar

The University of Findlay opened its doors to area businesses and professionals as part of the third annual Findlay Japan Business Seminar. The seminar series was launched with the vision of “Success of a Japanese-owned business is our success as a community.”

On June 15, the University held the third in-person networking event to bring together Japanese and Americans to network. The in-person event welcomed about 50 professionals and companies together, with all of them having direct and indirect connections with Japanese business operations in Ohio. The participating organizations included University of Findlay, Pro-Tec Coating Company, GROB, Freudenberg-Nok Sealing Technologies, the city of Findlay, Nihongo-de-USA, among others. The Honorary Counsul General of Japan, David Cook, also attended the gathering.

Those in attendance shared their professional backgrounds and opinions, and to promote collaboration among Japanese, U.S., and other international companies. In 2020, UF started the Findlay Japan Business Seminar online for Japanese business people to serve as a platform for Japanese companies to exchange and share ideas and develop innovative, sustainable business operations in this country.

“Meeting people is powerful,” said Hiroaki Kawamura, Ph.D. University of Findlay’s international relations representative and liaison. “Knowing people often brings new opportunities. Findlay Japan Business Seminar has brought many people together through online seminars and in-person networking events like this one.”

Each year the University of Findlay hosts three to four online seminars in Japanese. This year, discussion topics included cyber risks, immigration laws and workforce issues, and techniques to enrich life as an expatriate to the United States. “While online seminars focus on information sharing, the purpose of the in-person gathering is to meet people exploring opportunities of possible collaboration. That’s exactly what we did with this event,” said Kawamura.

With Japan being the top foreign direct investor for Ohio and the U.S., Kawamura notes Japanese companies are partners as well as rivals. “There are many possibilities for collaboration…how can we benefit and prosper together,” he said.

To learn more about the University of Findlay, visit www.Findlay.edu. For more information about the Findlay Japan Business Seminar, please visit the seminar website or contact Hiroaki Kawamura directly at kawamura@findlay.edu.