In Japan, Duckworth Continues Efforts to Bring More Agriculture, Quantum and Economic Investments to Illinois

In Japan, Duckworth Continues Efforts to Bring More Agriculture, Quantum and Economic Investments to Illinois

[TOKYO, JAPAN] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)-a member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC)-arrived in Japan on a Congressional delegation (CODEL) she arranged to continue her efforts meeting with high-level business leaders and government officials and promoting Illinois abroad. During her official trip, Duckworth plans to meet with businesses and convened leaders in quantum and technology to shore up previous trade commitments and reassure the international leaders that Illinois's economy is still strong, well-positioned and ready for greater further investments in agriculture and manufacturing.

"Thanks to the chaos and confusion from the Trump Administration, there's a lot of uncertainty abroad in about investing in America's economy right now-I'm traveling to Japan to provide another perspective," Duckworth said. "With our existing investments and strong leadership at the state level, Illinois is as strong as ever and the perfect place for more investments and international business expansion from our partners in Asia. Not only is it a great business opportunity for our partners, but I've seen firsthand how these investments help create jobs, support farmers and grow our economy back home. I'm looking forward to building on my work meeting with business leaders in Japan to strengthen existing partnerships, attract new investment and continue promoting Illinois on a global stage."

Duckworth plans to attend a series of business engagements in Japan, including a:

• Meeting with Toshiba business leaders to highlight Illinois's strength for future investment. Toshiba's CEO Taro Shimada also leads Q-STAR, Quantum Strategic industry Alliance for Revolution, which is the leading quantum technology consortium that is looking to explore future opportunities in Illinois.
• Meeting with Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) leaders to build upon significant agricultural and biofuels investments the Senator has secured on previous trips and highlight Illinois as a strong trade partner and producer of soy, corn, ethanol and Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).
• Meeting with IBM leaders to show appreciation for their recent large investment in Illinois's quantum ecosystem and learn more about their advanced quantum computer (IBM Quantum System One).
• Meeting with Komazawa Housing Exhibition Park to connect with top Japanese modular housing manufacturers at Sekisui House and discuss future opportunities for collaboration and exchange on innovative modular housing investments in Illinois. These partnerships would help address housing shortages across our state by increasing the housing supply while expanding manufacturing and creating good-paying jobs for Illinois families.
• Meeting with DMG MORI Inc. to recognize business leaders for their recent $40.5 million investment to expand the company's operations in Illinois-establishing a new advanced manufacturing and R&D facility in the Chicagoland area and creating 74 new full-time jobs. The Senator will also tour their ITAR-compliant facility in Nara, Japan.
• Meeting with Mayor Hideyuki Yokoyama of Osaka to discuss the sister city relationship between Chicago and Osaka as well as further investment opportunities between the two cities.

As a member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Duckworth has extensively championed Illinois abroad. Following a previous official visit to Japan, Japan announced a regulatory change that will lead to an increase in imports from U.S. biofuel producers, supporting our farmers and growing Illinois's economy. After a prior visit to Taiwan, she previously helped secure a commitment to purchase an estimated $2.6 billion of Illinois's corn and soybeans.

Since becoming a member of SFRC, Duckworth has also traveled to Laos and Vietnam, Sweden and the Netherlands, Romania and the United Kingdom and the Philippines, Indonesia and Thailand.

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