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　　　　 　　Figure 1: Virignia has been ranked #1 six times since the CNBC rankings started in 2007, the most of any state.

 

　November 17, 2025 – Bi-annually, Virginia Economic Development Partnership’s (VEDP) Director of Japan, Masai Satoru and FDI Advisor Ms. Michaela Martin host VEDP’s Vice President of Foreign Direct Investment, Ms. Antje Abshoff, along with two local communities to meet with Japanese companies aligned with leading industries that drive Virginia’s economy. VEDP’s Japan office has focused this trip on alignment of artificial intelligence, data centers, and energy solutions as well as manufacturing sector that specialize in metals, chemical, and electronic applications.

 

　Features to note: A Luncheon event hosted by Keidanren (Japan Business Federation) was attended by several Japanese affiliates. The session began with opening remarks from Mr. Kiyotaka Morita, Keidanren ‘s Deputy Director of International Affairs. Keidanren is a valuable partner not only to Virginia, but the U.S as a dependable, long recognized and respected leading voice for Japanese businesses. Keidanren’s core mission is to facilitate more engagement by the Japanese business sector with the U.S. policymaking community, and to promote the very real contributions (in terms of investment and jobs) being made by Japanese companies to the U.S. economy.

 

Figure 2: Ms. Antje Abshoff of VEDP, Ms. Paige Fox of Virignia Beach location to the largest U.S Navy Base, and Ms. Statia Gibson of the City of Richmond, capital of Virginia.

 

　Following Mr. Morita’s remarks, VEDP’s Ms. Abshoff highlighted Japanese investment activity in Virginia from Hitachi Energy, KMEW, Sumitomo Corporation and Canon over the last 12 months. The outcome of the recent Gubernatorial election in Virginia and the election of Virginia’s first female Governor, Abigal Spanberger (D) was also a topic of particular interest.

 

　Governor-elect Spanberger’s Growing Virginia Plan looks towards a continuous focus on the growth of Virginia’s workforce, trade opportunities, and business investment to continue to cultivate a supportive business environment. Governor-elect Spanberger will take office in January of 2026 and VEDP’s Japan office is looking forward to hosting her first International Governor Mission Trip.

 

　Ms. Abshoff concluded the core focus of the session by providing an update on key industry initiatives focused on data center growth in Virginia and the greater US, Virginia’s renewable energy solutions, and Virginia’s activity concentrated on nuclear, nuclear fusion, and small modular reactors.

 

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