Cityscape

Program Overview

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