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James Magazine’s May-June issue includes a feature which highlights Georgia’s important economic relationship with Japan, and how the state has benefited significantly from the relationship with various industries, including the automotive and manufacturing sectors.

In April, members of the Georgia General Assembly announced the launch of the Georgia-Japan Legislative Caucus. The Caucus was formed to sustain and enhance economic and cultural relationships between Japan and the state of Georgia.

It will be led by Representative David Knight (R-Griffin) and Representative Calvin Smyre (D-Columbus) in the House, and Senator Butch Miller (R-Gainesville) and Senator Jen Jordan (D-Atlanta), in the Senate.

Caucus members will work with businesses and cultural communities and collaborate with Japanese and Japanese-American groups and organizations.

“I enthusiastically welcome the Georgia General Assembly’s new initiative,” Consul General of Japan in Atlanta, Mr. Takashi Shinozuka said. “My office looks forward to working with the members of the Georgia-Japan Legislative Caucus to further strengthen the deep bonds shared between Japan and the great State of Georgia.”

More than half of the 1,200 Japanese affiliated companies in the consulate’s Southeast district are in Georgia, and those companies employ more than 30,000 Georgians.

The Caucus is open to all local legislators, particularly those who have Japanese-owned companies in their districts, represent Georgia-Japan sister cities, or generally support foreign direct investment in the state.