LANSING - Governor Jennifer M. Granholm will embark on her sixth overseas investment mission later this month when she makes her third visit to Japan from September 15-20.  The governor's journey to Japan is part of her effort to go anywhere and do anything to bring jobs to Michigan.  During the three-day visit, Michigan officials will be meeting with representatives from approximately 22 companies considering investment in Michigan or that are ripe for international investment.

"There is no better place in the world to grow a business than right here in Michigan," Granholm said.  "We continue to go anywhere and do anything to bring jobs to Michigan, and our aggressive pursuit has yielded thousands of new jobs and generated more than $800 million in new international investment."

While in Japan, Granholm will meet with companies in the areas of alternative energy, advanced battery storage, chemicals, electronics, medical devices, and advanced manufacturing.  Meetings are also scheduled with senior representatives from automotive companies such as Toyota, Nissan, Honda, Mazda and Aisin, and with alternative energy companies like Eurus Energy, Automotive Energy Supply Corporation and Terumo Medical Corporation.  A team of Michigan Economic Development Corporation officials, including CEO and President James C. Epolito, will accompany the governor.

The trip will be the governor's sixth overseas investment mission since 2004.  Her previous missions to Germany, Austria, Japan, and Sweden have resulted in 37 companies announcing over $826 million in new investment and more than 9,000 jobs created and retained.   

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