Cityscape

About The Midwest U.S.-Japan Association Conference

The State of Indiana, in partnership with the Japan-America Society of Indiana, is honored to host the 56th annual Joint Meeting of the Midwest U.S. - Japan Association (MWJA) and the Japan-U.S. Midwest Associations in September 2026 at Westin Hotel in downtown Indianapolis.

The Annual Conference serves as the principal forum on the growth of bilateral trade and investment between the Midwest and Japan, driving continued cooperation and bilateral partnerships to advance investment and innovation.

A crowd of people attending a conference

ProgramOverview

12:00 PM
Japanese Registration Opens
Westin Indianapolis Hotel
12:00 PM
U.S. Registration Opens
Westin Indianapolis Hotel
3:00 PM
Registration Closes
Westin Indianapolis Hotel

8:00 AM
U.S. Registration Opens
Westin Indianapolis Hotel
8:00 AM
Japanese Registration Opens
Westin Indianapolis Hotel
12:00 PM
MWJA Lunch Board Meeting
Westin Indianapolis Hotel
3:15 PM
Co-Chairs Meeting
3:30 PM
Joint Executives Meeting
4:45 PM
VIP Speedway Events
6:15 PM
Welcome Reception at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum
Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum
  • Mike Braun, Governor, State of Indiana 
  • Takuma Sato, Indianapolis 500 Champion

7:00 AM
Japanese Registration Opens
Westin Indianapolis Hotel
7:00 AM
U.S. Registration Opens
Westin Indianapolis Hotel
7:30 AM
Breakfast
Westin Indianapolis Hotel
8:00 AM
MWJA Member Booth Space Opens
Westin Indianapolis Hotel
9:00 AM
2026 Conference Opening Ceremony
Westin Indianapolis Hotel
  • U.S. Conference Co-Chair – Gordon Dobie
  • Japan Conference Co-Chair – Takeo Inokuchi
  • Consul-General of Japan in Chicago
  • Governors from Japanese Prefectures
  • Governors from Midwest U.S. States
  • Ambassador/U.S. Official Remarks:
         H.E. Shigeo Yamada, Ambassador of Japan to the United States 
         U.S. Keynote Remarks (to be advised)
    10:30 AM
    Coffee Break
    Westin Indianapolis Hotel
    12:10 PM
    Conference Luncheon and Keynote Remarks: Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc.
    Indiana Convention Center - 500 Ballroom
    • Takayuki Sano, Chairman and CEO - Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc.
    • Scott Brand, President and COO - Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc.
    1:50 PM
    Executive Panel Session: "Addressing Future Challenges: Advanced Manufacturing, Workforce and Infrastructure"
    Westin Indianapolis Hotel
    • Scott Turpin, Executive Advisor - AISIN World Corporation
    • Yuji Hirako, Senior Advisor - All Nippon Airways
    • Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
    • Cummins, Inc. 

              Moderator:
              Norihiko Ishiguro, Chairman & CEO - JETRO
    3:00 PM
    Coffee Break
    Westin Indianapolis Hotel
    3:15 PM
    Keynote Remarks: Eli Lilly & Company
    Westin Indianapolis Hotel
    • Shawn O’Neail, SVP, Global Government Affairs - Eli Lilly & Company
    3:30 PM
    Executive Panel Session: “Global Partnerships & Innovation for a Healthy Future Society: Life Sciences and Biomedical"
    Westin Indianapolis Hotel
    • Pamela Whitten, President - Indiana University
    • Mamoru Kadokura, EVP, Chief Technology Officer - Kaneka Corporation
    • Orsa Britton, Global VP and Executive Director, Global HQ - Zimmer Biomet

              Moderator:
              Mike Bolinder, Chief Innovation Officer, BioCrossroads
    4:40 PM
    Coffee Break
    Westin Indianapolis Hotel
    6:15 PM
    Gala Reception & Dinner
    Indiana Roof Ballroom

    7:30 AM
    Breakfast
    Westin Indianapolis Hotel
    8:00 AM
    MWJA Member Booth Space Opens
    Westin Indianapolis Hotel
    9:00 AM
    Welcome Remarks: Gordon Dobie, Chairman - MWJA
    Westin Indianapolis Hotel
    9:05 AM
    Closing Keynote Remarks: Purdue University
    Westin Indianapolis Hotel
    • Mitch Daniels, Interim President - Purdue University; Former Governor of Indiana
    9:20 AM
    Executive Panel Session: “Innovation-Driven Future Industries: Semiconductors, AI and Critical Minerals”
    Westin Indianapolis Hotel
    • Yoshinori Kanehana, Chairman of the Board - Kawasaki Heavy Industries
    • Mark Lundstrom, Chief Semiconductor Officer - Purdue University
    • Mark Jensen, CEO - ReElement Technologies, LLC
    • Jason Puckett, CEO - Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Indiana

             Moderator:
             Trevor Foughty, Chief Operating Officer, Applied Research Institute
    10:30 AM
    Coffee Break
    Westin Indianapolis Hotel
    10:50 AM
    Closing Ceremony
    Westin Indianapolis Hotel
    • Read Joint Statement – Gordon Dobie, Chairman - MWJA
    • Consul-General in Detroit & Nashville
    • US Lieutenant Governors
    • Indiana Closing Remarks – Josh Richardson, President - Indiana Economic Development Corporation
    11:45 AM
    Co-Chairs Closing Remarks & Gift Exchange
    12:00 PM
    Farewell Buffet Lunch
    Westin Indianapolis Hotel
    12:30 PM
    Post Conference – Purdue University Ecosystem Tour
    • Available to JMWA Member Delegates
    A crowd of people at a conference

    SponsorThe Event

    Sponsorship of this prestigious gathering presents a unique opportunity to reach a global audience and build longstanding business partnerships, and your financial support will help to fully showcase Indiana's dynamic and prosperous business ecosystem to a cadre of business and government leaders from the United States and Japan.

    Request to Sponsor

    Questions About Sponsorship

    Contact the 2026 Conference Secretariat:

    Country road

    Registration is now open

     

    Register Now