About Us
The Japan-America Society of West Michigan was founded in 1999 to foster greater understanding and friendship among Japanese and Americans in West Michigan. We welcome you to this web site with the hope you will join us in pursuing this important goal.
Japanese companies have become increasingly important to Michigan and to the United States as partners in building the global economy. Japan consistently is the United States’, and Michigan’s, number one offshore (excluding Canada and Mexico) export market, buying in 2005 more than $55 billion from the U.S. as a whole and more than $1 billion from Michigan . . . for our state, that is $500,000 an hour throughout a typical 2,000 work year!
In Michigan, roughly 600 Japanese divisions, affiliates, and subsidiaries employ 100,000 people and contribute $8 billion to Michigan’s economy, according to the Michigan governor’s office. Much of that economic activity is here in West Michigan.
Our organization works with Japanese companies and their U.S. suppliers, customers and service organizations to extend Michigan hospitality to the managers and employees assigned here from Japan, and their families.
We also engage our Japanese guests to enrich the lives of Michiganders by making Japanese life and culture better understood and appreciated. The Japanese among us are a cultural asset in West Michigan and one we help make accessible in our region.
We cooperate as well with West Michigan's colleges and universities, valuable sources of information, teaching and research on Japan.
JASWM activities include speaker programs, exhibitions, informational materials, publications, cultural and social events — and this web site — to contribute to greater mutual understanding among Japanese and Americans who live in our communities.
Please make frequent use of the web site to broaden your own knowledge and understanding of Japan. We also hope to see you at our activities which bring Japanese and Americans together. Finally, we hope that you will join us as a member of the Japan-America Society of West Michigan, and be a part of our growing international community in West Michigan.
Jan Burland Frantz, Chairperson
Japan-America Society of West Michigan