(From Findlay-Hancock County Economic Development)

In an effort to strengthen and grow a more than 40-year relationship of valuable exchange, a delegation from Findlay – made up of representatives from business, government and education – embarked this month on a 10-day trip to Japan.

The delegation visited from Sept. 5-15 and included Christina Muryn (Mayor, City of Findlay), Chris Keller (Executive Director, Findlay-Hancock County Economic Development), Matt Gilroy (Director of Strategic Initiatives, Findlay-Hancock County Economic Development), Patrick Sadowski (Board Member, Findlay-Hancock County Economic Development and Attorney with Eastman & Smith), and Dr. Hiro Kawamura (Professor, University of Findlay and Special Advisor, Findlay-Hancock County Economic Development).

Since Findlay leaders began the revolutionary friendship in 1984, the landscape of Findlay evolved around it, with eight Japanese manufacturing companies locating in Hancock County, and 16 to the Northwest Ohio region. In those 40 years, delegations have reciprocated visits, traveling between Findlay and Japan, sparking collaboration and exchange programs with Findlay-Hancock County Economic Development (FHCED), the City of Findlay, the University of Findlay, Findlay City Schools, Findlay Rotary and the State of Ohio.

“The Findlay-Hancock County community has benefited greatly over the past few decades from continued Japanese investment,” Mayor Muryn said. “It is critical that we nurture these relationships, support existing businesses and families, and identify opportunities for new investment. It was wonderful to spend time with our Japanese friends, both new and old.”

The group’s itinerary featured participation in the 55th Annual Midwest U.S.–Japan Conference in Tokyo, site visits to nine businesses—including Mitsubishi Electric, Fukuvi Chemical, Kobelco, and Matsuura where Keller and Gilroy presented about business in Findlay—and a meeting with the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO). Mayor Muryn also delivered remarks to the Kawaguchi Rotary Club.

“It is critical to continue to engage the Japanese business community to maintain and strengthen this valuable relationship – and spending that time also to fosters new opportunities,” FHCED Executive Director Chris Keller said. “Another important aspect, for me, is to learn more about how they conduct business, their culture in business. This helps us understand their approach and provides us with the skills to strengthen those relationships as well. If we understand, everything we do can be more engaging.”

During the 55th Annual Midwest U.S-Japan Conference, Gov. Motohiro Ono of the Saitama Prefecture and Consulate General of Japan in Detroit, Hajime Kishimori, both recognized Findlay during speeches. Ono visited the University of Findlay and was received by local, regional and state leadership in September of 2024, and Kishimori spoke in March at FHCED’s celebration of being named Top Micropolitan in the U.S. for the 11th time.

“I was especially proud that Findlay was recognized in the remarks of both Governor Ono and Consul General Kishimori,” Mayor Muryn said. “Success does not happen by accident—it takes years of cultivating relationships across government, business, and education. The ‘Findlay Formula’ is more unique than we may realize, and we must continue to leverage it.”

The delegation also met with Governor Ono of Saitama Prefecture, government leaders from Fukui Prefecture, and Mayor Okunoki of Kawaguchi, who visited Findlay in 2018 to celebrate an official Friendship City agreement with Findlay. The delegation also visited Kawaguchi Municipal High School and hosted receptions with groups who have visited Findlay through programs created through the relationship, such as the Ohio Saitama University Scholarship, the Ohio Saitama Global Speakers Program, FHCED’s Fukui/Findlay Scholarship and International Business Training Program, and the Fukui International Association. Members of the delegation thoroughly enjoyed meeting with people who shared fond memories of their experiences in Findlay.

“Findlay and Hancock County are home to many different international businesses – from Japan, to Germany, Denmark, and Brazil – and when companies from outside of the United States consider investing in any community (in the U.S.), I think one of the things that makes Findlay stand out, is just that – that we have several doing business here,” said Matt Gilroy, director of strategic initiatives for FHCED. “It’s a feather in our cap to attract other international companies and it’s something we can build upon.”