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Tomblin trade mission picks up steam in Japan

Charleston Daily Mail courtesy photo Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin presents Toyota Honorary Chairman Dr. Shoichiro Toyoda with a dulcimer during a luncheon at Toyota Corp. headquarters last week in Japan.
Charleston Daily Mail courtesy photo
Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin presents Toyota Honorary Chairman Dr. Shoichiro Toyoda with a dulcimer during a luncheon at Toyota Corp. headquarters last week in Japan.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — More than halfway through his Japanese trade mission, Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin has met with senior Toyota Corp. executives, hosted receptions in two cities and met privately with Japanese companies to promote continued investment in the state.

The governor and about 15 state and local economic development officials are entering the second week of their 10-day trade mission to the country. In addition to fostering the state’s good relations with companies there, the trip also marks the 25th anniversary of the opening of the Department of Commerce’s Nagoya office. Former Gov. Gaston Caperton, who was governor when the office opened, is also accompanying Tomblin on the trip.

Tomblin on Monday was traveling by bullet train from Nagoya to Tokyo, where officials will spend the last leg of their trip.

“We’ve got a very big week planned,” Tomblin said in a video message to the Daily Mail.

The governor and his team already have met privately with representatives from several businesses either already doing business in the state or are looking at potential investments. Tomblin said officials have been promoting the state’s workforce and fiscal condition with the companies they’ve met with.

“Most of our conversations with prospective businesses are dealing with what West Virginia has to offer…

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