It is my honor to be appointed as the President of ASOA (American State Offices Association) for the year of 2026.

Since its foundation in 1980, ASOA has been engaged in promotion of investment, trade, tourism and students exchange between Japan and United States as our mission.

ASOA now consists of 23 states and one city. We introduce each state’s business climates and advantages of its industries at various seminars and trade shows collaborating with U.S. Embassy, Keidanren, JETRO, Prefectural Governments, Chamber of Commerce and other organizations.

Japan and United States has very close relationship. As a notable thing, for six consecutive years, Japan became #1 country by cumulative FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) amount in U.S.

The cumulative amount of FDI from Japan to U.S. as of 2024 is US$ 819 billion. Japanese companies employ about 970,000 in U.S. in 2022. Japanese companies in U.S. exportes $82.3 billion in 2022. These are huge contribution to the U.S. economy.

In 2022, Japan was ranked #1 in 40 states in the number of companies among all foreign investor countries.

In this home page of ASOA, you will find the information of each state office.
Our member states help and support your investment, trade and tourism. Above numbers are the result of daily efforts of these state offices in Japan.

I, myself, stayed and worked in U.S. as an employee of Itochu Corporation for 17 years in total. I love U.S. and U.S. always is the Land of Opportunity.
Please feel free to contact with ASOA member offices .We will always be here to help and support your business.

Masamichi Takahashi
2026 President
American State Offices Association (ASOA)
(General Manager, Commonwealth of Kentucky, Asia Representative Office)