CTC’s Dr. C. G. Michael Quah, Executive Director, Energy & Environmental Sustainability Strategic Initiatives, has been invited to participate in the 39th Annual Joint Meeting of The Midwest U.S.-Japan Association and The Japan-Midwest U.S. Association that will be held in Tokyo on September 9–11, 2007.  This year's theme is “Japan and Midwest U.S.: Innovation and Sustainable Growth.”  Dr. Quah will serve as the U.S. Moderator for Plenary Session II: Executive Panel Discussion on Sustainable Growth in a Global Economy: Key Drivers & Challenges.  Key panelists for this plenary session will include business leaders from Tokyo Electric Power Company; Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.; NextEnergy; and Battelle-Japan.

The Midwest U.S.-Japan Association and The Japan-Midwest U.S. Association began in 1967 as a simple meeting of executives from diverse business environments.  Now on an annual basis, these business leaders meet to discuss growth and progress of economic relations of the American Midwest and Japan.

The Midwest U.S.-Japan Association is comprised of ten member States including Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio and Wisconsin.  Membership in the Association is supported by state governments, usually represented by their Departments of Commerce or Economic Development.  The governments of these states cooperate within the Association to increase understanding throughout the Midwest business community of Japan's markets and resources, to showcase the Midwest as America's most dynamic business environment, and to develop knowledge in Japan of direct foreign investment opportunities in Midwest communities, and the export potential of Midwest companies.

The Japan-Midwest U.S. Association is comprised of corporations that have direct economic ties to Japan or are interested in developing them. The Association has some 100 corporate members including Toyota Motors, Mitsui & Co., Saison Group, Sumitomo Chemical, Kajima Corporation, and Sony.  Together the Associations, through their annual Joint Meetings, reinforce the economic, political, and cultural ties that link the national economy of Japan with the regional economy of the Midwest.  Recognition was given to the Midwest U.S.-Japan Association in the Global Partnership agreement signed by President Bush and Prime Minister Miyazawa in January 1992.

CTC’s representation at this key international event clearly shows the company’s active participation in global challenges of energy and environmental sustainability and its growing presence in Michigan, as well as the Detroit Arsenal—home of the U.S. Army Tank and Automotive Command/Tank-Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center/National Automotive Center (TACOM/TARDEC/NAC.)

Dr. Quah stated, “As we continue our commitment to working with the U.S. Army TACOM/TARDEC/NAC based in Michigan, we recognize that often the military, as first adopter of new technologies, will lead us to broader markets that are of dual-use (military and civilian) both nationally and globally, as well as regionally, where CTC will bring value to local economic development.”

For more information on the meeting or The Midwest U.S.-Japan Association and The Japan-Midwest U.S. Association, visit http://www.midwest-japan.org/.