Wisconsin – U.S. – Japan “Economics of Green” Conference features academic, business and political speakers from Japan and the United States
MILWAUKEE, Wisc. (May 6, 2008) – Kikkoman Foods, Inc., the world’s largest manufacturing plant of naturally brewed soy sauce, will celebrate the 35th anniversary of manufacturing Kikkoman products in the United States next month. The Kikkoman plant, established in Walworth, Wisconsin in 1973, was the company’s first soy sauce brewing facility established outside Japan and gave Kikkoman an added dimension to its already strong international presence. The occasion will be recognized with a special Wisconsin – U.S. – Japan Economic Development Conference to be held in Milwaukee on June 6.
The conference, titled “The Economics of Green: Finding a Balance Between Economic Growth and the Environment,” is designed to help corporations learn how to balance environmentally conscious practices and growing economic prosperity. It is being held in the Lubar Auditorium at the Milwaukee Art Museum and will feature six distinguished speakers from the United States and Japan with backgrounds in academic, business and politics. Kikkoman will co-host the event with the Wisconsin Department of Commerce and the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee. Mr. Yuzaburo Mogi, Chairman and CEO of Kikkoman Corporation and Chairman and CEO of Kikkoman Foods, Inc., Carlos Santiago, Chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and Jack L. Fischer, Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Commerce, will be representing the sponsoring organizations at the conference.
“The Economics of Green” Conference event includes an American and Japanese speaker from the political, academic and business realms:
· Wisconsin Governor James Doyle
· Honorable Mutsuyoshi Nishimura, Special Advisor to the Cabinet Dr. Hubbard is a Visiting Scholar at the American Enterprise Institute, where he is a specialist in tax policy and health care. From 2001 until 2003, he served as Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers to President George W. Bush.
· Dr. Heizo Takenaka, Professor and Director of the Global Security Research Institute, Keio University. Dr. Takenaka held several ministerial posts in the Cabinet of former Prime Minister Koizumi, including Minister of State for Economic and Fiscal Policy.
· Mr. Timothy W. Sullivan, CEO, President and Director of Bucyrus International, Inc. Tim Sullivan began his career with Bucyrus in 1976 and has been CEO of the firm since 2004. Governor Doyle appointed him Chair of the Wisconsin Council on Workforce Investment (CWI) last year.
· Mr. Takeo Shiina, Executive Advisor, IBM Japan, Ltd. He became President of IBM Japan in 1975 and was Chairman from 1993 through 1999. He also served as Vice President of IBM Corporation from 1989 to 1993. From 1995 through 1999, he was Vice Chairman of the Japan Association of Corporate Executives, the Keizai Doyukai.
“We are delighted to be able to support this important conference,” said Mr. Mogi. “The Kikkoman Corporation has a long history of community friendly production methods. We have been brewing soy sauce in the same city in Japan for more than 300 years, and we know how important it is to be a good citizen. We have brought the same approach to our activities here in the United States, and we are dedicated to reducing the burden manufacturing causes to the environment as well as minimizing the impact on global warming.
“When we put down roots in a community, we hope those roots will grow deep and strong so that we can grow along with that community,” Mogi said. “Wisconsin has a hard-working, loyal workforce and an excellent business climate, making it an extremely friendly and stable state. We have had a very successful 35 years here in Wisconsin, and are planning a number of future investments allowing us to better serve customers in the U.S. market.”
###
