Members of the Japanese trade delegation explored the Discovery World facility Wednesday night. (Photo courtesy of Gwen Sower)
Junichi Takamiya, president of Hagiwara Industries and in charge of global strategy, will be going down the slide at Discovery World on Wednesday night. (Photo provided)
Somar Corporation President Futoshi Sontai expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome of the delegation to Wood County at Discovery World on Wednesday night. (Photo courtesy of Gwen Sower)
Members of the Japanese trade delegation explored the Discovery World facility Wednesday night. (Photo courtesy of Gwen Sower)
PARKERSBURG — A delegation of 18 Japanese business leaders representing diverse industries visited Wood County this week to explore potential opportunities for investment and collaboration.
Members of the group, who work in sectors such as automotive, technology, energy and corporate development, toured various sites in the region as part of a visit aimed at showcasing the region’s business potential. did. On Wednesday, the delegation met with local business and government leaders at Discovery World on Market Street.
“The visitors all have a U.S. customer base, but they don’t necessarily have a presence in the U.S.” Wood County Economic Development Director Lindsey Pearsall said. “We hope they come here and love this area and will consider investing in Wood County and establishing a foothold in the United States.”
The delegation’s visit was made possible by the cooperation of Somar Corporation, one of Wood County’s newest businesses, and President Futoshi Soya. Mr. Saya was instrumental in bringing colleagues from Japan to explore the area.
The delegation’s itinerary included a tour of Hino Motors, followed by visits to notable local facilities. Thursday’s plan was for the group to explore the Polymer Alliance Zone and tour Somar Corporation’s new facility, which has not yet been widely introduced. They also toured the facilities at the Washington plant.
Junichi Takamiya, president of Hagiwara Industries and in charge of global strategy, will be going down the slide at Discovery World on Wednesday night. (Photo provided)
The event also featured Parkersburg’s $12.8 million STEM Children’s Museum and Science and Technology Center. Museum Director Wendy Schreiber gave details of the facility, which was designed by Roth, a leading exhibit designer for the Smithsonian Institution and other institutions. Visitors viewed the museum’s interactive exhibits, food and beverages, and even sampled alcoholic ice cream made in the state’s only Cold Snap machine.
Mayor Tom Joyce welcomed the Japanese delegation’s visit as an important opportunity for both Parkersburg and Wood County.
“What’s good for Parkersburg is good for Wood County and vice versa.” he said. “More jobs, better jobs. That’s the key to Parkersburg, Wood County and much of West Virginia. We need to create opportunities to keep the next generation of West Virginians here. there is.”
Somar Corporation President Futoshi Sontai expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome of the delegation to Wood County at Discovery World on Wednesday night. (Photo courtesy of Gwen Sower)
