Tomorrow we head home! 

We just returned to the hotel after another good set of meetings.  Once again we were treated wonderfully.   The Chairman of one of the company’s we met with today told us he was so honored the Mayor had agreed to meet with them that he went to Tokyo this morning just to get a haircut! 

The businessman that we met with last and who visited Muncie later in the year hosted us for dinner at his home for a group of  10 and brought in a sushi chef to prepare our meal.  Terry said it was okay to blog that he ate a baked shrimp head.  He really stepped out on the edge this trip!  He tried several new foods with me and Larry and I are really proud of him!  

There are lots of businesses interested in investing in the United States.  I know there are naysayers in the community but the investment is worthwhile.  I believe we need to continue to recognize the investment we have thus far from the country of Japan and to continue to tell our story.   It truly is a global economy.  Many discussions were had with firms here that have plants in the United States, China, Vietnam, and Mexico.  The Governor has done an excellent job of setting up the state of Indiana to be a pro-business state.  Everyone we spoke with was very impressed that Indiana had a surplus instead of being on the verge of bankruptcy.

Again, thank you for the opportunity to represent you in Japan.  It truly has created wonderful memories for me.

See you in Muncie!

I think the date is right.  It’s too late to try to confirm it.  We left at 7:00 this morning traveled three hours  one way today on a bullet train to Osaka for an appointment.  I believe Osaka is 300 miles one way.  We just returned to the hotel and it’s close to 10:00 p.m.  We were once again treated to lunch at the businessman’s favorite restaurant.  Truly amazing hosts!  Made it easier to have chips and an orange juice on the train for dinner.

As I was looking out the train window it is truly an amazing country.  The mountains, the sea, the farmland, and the cities are something to see.  The transit system here is to be envied.  You can go anywhere by train or subway. 

That’s all for tonight.  We have a breakfast meeting at 7:30 in the morning with the Minister-Counselor for Commercial Affairs, U.S. Embassy and then travel by bullet train to Odawara for a meeting and dinner. 

Larry knows how to get our money’s worth!!  Terry and I are kidding him at this point of the trip asking if we can’t possibly squeeze in another appointment.  It must be jetlag!!

One more thing, I was going to upload pictures on this blog but still working on getting that done.  Technological difficulties!

Remember yesterday when I talked about walking on the sidewalk on the left side instead of the right side as I am accustomed to?  Well, I discovered today the escalators are the opposite of what I’m used to also!

Today we got quite a surprise!  Last year we met with two clients of a bank that a relationship had been established with prior to my administration.  One of those clients visited Muncie twice since our introduction and trip in June 2008.   We met again with the other client today and discovered they had visited on their own last July!  What wonderful news.  They had pictures to share to prove they were there and were excited to discuss the sites we had shared with them last June.  They thought Cornerstone Center of the Arts was the mayor’s office because it looked so stately and had taken a photo of it.  I shared with them they had the wrong building but that we were proudly hosting the Governor’s Arts Awards there.  

Thank goodness Larry is bilingual.   He is such an asset in our meetings.  I have found many Japanese businessmen can understand English if spoken slowly but struggle speaking English.  Oftentimes Terry and I speak too quickly and Larry has to translate for us.   You should try speaking in one or two sentences and then pausing for translation.  I struggle remembering what I said!

We met with Keihin officials at the Tokyo office today to thank them for their investment in Muncie and to show our appreciation.  We also discussed establishing a sister-city state.   Last year we visited Governor Fukuda in the Tochegi Prefecture (which is the sister state to Indiana) to show our appreciation of Japanese investment in Muncie.  We are investigating a city in the Tochigi Prefecture that is home of a Keihin Research and Development facility.

This year I have tried to send thank you e-mails to all those we’ve met instead of sending letters once I return like I did last year.  It is not as formal but I am able to follow-up more promptly to thank them for their hospitality.

Last night we were hosted by the parent company of the contact we met with several weeks ago from Ohio.  We had dinner at a traditional Japanese restaurant which was a delightful experience. 

Everyone here is so gracious.  Larry tells me my “status” as mayor allows me to receive more favorable reception than others might.  I told my husband on the phone this evening that I am treated like royalty when I am in Japan.  We all know that doesn’t happen in the states!!

I’m trying to keep up on e-mails while I am here so it’s not so overwhelming when I return to the office on Monday.  Tomorrow we have a three hour train ride one way so I hope to be able to read the materials I brought with me.  Always trying to keep up!! 

Muncie-thank you for giving me this opportunity!

Well, we finally have a break and I thought I’d provide an update on our activities.

On Sundayafternoon we visited a popular tourist location and were approached by a group of 8 students from The University of Tokyo E.S.S.  They explained that they belonged to the English speaking Club at the university and that they spent Saturday’s and Sunday’s at the tourist site to improve their English.  They approach English speaking visitors and explain what they are doing and volunteer to be a guide through the shrine/temple.  I was very impressed that these students were spending 6 hours, two days a week on their own initiative to learn to speak the  English language better.  We did take a photo of the group and e-mailed it to them with the name card they provided.  What a great experience!

Yesterday, Monday, April 20, we were very busy.  We met in the morning to get an update on our intinerary and to discuss our appointments.  We met with three businesses, and were hosted for lunch by one of them.  Two of these appointments were follow-ups from our trip last June and one was was a new contact.  For dinner we met with Larry’s friend again and his daughter was able to join us.  She formerly lived and worked in New York and works with a firm considering buying one of the “rescued” insurance/banking institutes.  Very interesting to hear her opinion of the events taking place in the US.  

Today, we meet with a new contact.  Larry introduced us to the members of their US office a couple of months ago and they then scheduled an appointment for us to meet the executives at their office in Tokyo.  They are hosting us for dinner this evening.  Our other appointments were follow-up appointments from last year.  One of these contacts has introduced us to two of their clients, one of which has visited Muncie and the other has asked for additional information.  We met with both of these clients last June and we are scheduled to meet with them again tomorrow.

Much discussion has been had regarding the economic status of the United States and what we anticipate for the future.  They are watching the “Big 3″ and are very concerned about the economic impact.  The banks have been especially interested in a mayor’s insight of the economy and the much anticipated turn around.  It appears Japan has been hit even harder than the US and are anxiously looking for any sign of an upward turn in the economy.  

One last note, I forgot that the Japanese drive on the left side of the road with the driver in the right front of the car.  Also, when we are walking I found myself walking against the flow.  I didn’t realize they actually walk the opposite of us also!

Good morning!  I was reflecting this morning about conversations had yesterday during lunch and dinner.  The City of Tokyo is divided into wards and government services are provided via the ward.  Recyling is mandatory here.  If  a resident’s trash is not sorted correctly the government does not pick it up!  The resident is not fined, as we would do in Muncie, but the penalty is the embarassment of the neighbors knowing that your trash was not picked up because you failed to recyle correctly.  That alone makes residents compliant.  Amazing!!  I think of the neighborhood cleanups and the time and energy and money it costs to complete those.  Imagine Muncie with residents that had that much pride in their community.   

The government of Tokyo is receiving less tax revenue-sound familiar!!??  Employees have been laid off or attrition has been used.  Services that have traditionally been provided by the City of Tokyo are  being privatized and businesses are benefiting.   In the example given last night the private sector can provide the same services at 60% of the cost of government, ultimately costing the taxpayer less.  The business owner is appreciative of the business, the employees are happy to have employment and the taxpayer benefits.  Food for thought.

I forgot to mention this yesterday and I have to ask if would this have happended in Muncie or any other city?  We are staying at the same hotel we stayed at when we traveled here last June.  As I was unpacking someone knocked at my door.  An employee confirmed who I was and then handed me an envelope.  In that envelope was two pieces of cosmetic jewelry I had left behind last year!  I thought I had misplaced them at home or I had loaned them to a family member.  I am fascinated that none of the hands that had contact with the necklaces kept them and instead they were held anticipating I would someday return to the hotel.  Fascinating.

Went to the train station today to convert our rail passes to tickets.   The station is so large they are still working on the remodeling that was going on when we were here last June.  No english anywhere.  Once again another reason why Larry is so necessary. 

Today is a “good luck” day here in Japan.   There were several weddings going on here at the hotel.  Interesting that the most practiced religion is Buddhism, yet families pay lots of money for extravagant American-style weddings. 

We met with an English-speaking Japanese business owner for lunch today here at the hotel.  He is looking to diversify his business and recognizes that alternative energy may be a way for him to do so.  He currently has plants in Japan and Vietnam and has a customer in Indiana.  We will be assisting him by providing information regarding Brevini and other  possible supply opportunities and have invited him to visit Muncie.

Had a couple of hours to window shop in the Ginza, which is the shopping area in Tokyo.  Fun to see the latest fashions and people watch.  The men and women are all very fashionable and each have their own sense of style. 

I finally figured out how to get CNN in English today.  Last evening it was being translated in Japanese over the English-speaking  announcer and I was reading the ticker tape running along the bottom, which was in English, to get the news.  It doesn’t take long  to figure out you’re not at home.

A friend of Larry, who I had the opportunity to meet last year, hosted us for dinner.  We had appetizers at a street restaurant, small stools with tables made of wood on plastic crates, next to the rail system.  The food was wonderful, made by the owner on an open grill. 

Then we moved to a more formal resturant and had a Korean-style dinner.  Did not like the pickled vegetables!!  Amazing that we dined right next to the rail, could see the trains passing by and we could not hear them.  If only we could pull that off in Muncie!

Tried to find a church to attend tomorrow.  Thought it would be nice to worship with others of the same faith in another country.  Sadly, nothing in the hotel booklets.

I was on my way to the Indianapolis International Airport by 7:00 a.m on Thursday morning.  Once I was checked in I spent some time returning phone calls  that I was unable to do before I left for Japan.  Larry Ingraham, our consultant and translator , and I departed Indianapolis on United Flight 7659 at 10:38 a.m. and arrived at Chicago-O’Hare at 10:48 a.m.  (note time change!).  We were scheduled to depart Chicago-O’Hare at 12:13 p.m.  but had a delay due to a mechanical malfunction in the cockpit.  A little alarming to see the mechanics board the plane!  Shortly thereafter we departed for Tokyo-Narita Airport.   We flew on a Boeing 747-400 with a capacity of 347.  The flight time was scheduled for 12 hours and 47 minutes.   The pilot instructed us that we would be traveling a littler faster than ususal in order to get us to Narita Airport on time.  Once we arrived at the airport we were met by Terry Murphy who had flown in from the Phillipines.  Terry shared with us that the arrival screen at Narita Airport showed our flight was late.  ONE MINUTE!  

The total miles flown was 6,486.  I left home at 7:00 a.m. on Thursdayas I mentioned earlier and arrived at the hotel in Tokyo at 6:00 p.m. on Friday.  Yes, it does take 23 hours from leaving my house to arriving at hotel! 

I read a book given to me by Larry a couple of weeks ago entitled Dave Barry Does Japan by Dave Berry.  It is better to read the book after you have traveled to Japan once.  It enables the reader to relate to Dave and his family’s experiences.  Very funny book!