2026 Midwest U.S.-Japan Association Conference – State of Indiana
“Japan and the Midwest: Illuminating Pathways to Tomorrow”
September 9 - 11, 2026 | Westin Indianapolis Hotel

Conference Agenda

Wednesday, September 9:

Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum
6:15 – 8:15pm - WELCOME RECEPTION

  • Mike Braun, Governor, State of Indiana
  • Takuma Sato, IndyCar Race Champion

Thursday, September 10:

Westin Indianapolis Hotel
9:00 – 11:50am - Opening Ceremony and Plenary Sessions

  • U.S. Conference Co-Chair:
    W. Gordon Dobie, Partner, Winston Taylor
  • Japan Conference Co-Chair:
    Takeo Inokuchi, Honorary Advisor, Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Co., Ltd.
  • Consul-General of Japan in Chicago
  • Governors from Japanese Prefectures
  • Governors from Midwest U.S. States
  • Ambassador/U.S. Official Remarks:
    • His Excellency Shigeo Yamada, Ambassador of Japan to the United States
    • U.S. Official – to be advised

Indiana Convention Center 500 Ballroom
12:10 – 1:30pm: - Corporate Keynote Luncheon

  • Takayuki Sano, Chairman & CEO, Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc.
  • Scott Brand, President & COO, Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc.

Westin Indianapolis Hotel
1:50 – 3:00pm - Panel I: “Addressing Future Challenges:
Advanced Manufacturing, Workforce and Infrastructure”

  • Yuji Hirako, Senior Advisor, ANA Holdings, Inc.                    
  • Scott Turpin, Executive Advisor, AISIN World Corp. of America
  • Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
  • Cummins, Inc.
  • Moderator: Norihiko Ishiguro, Chairman & CEO, Japan External Trade Organization

3:00 – 3:15pm - Coffee Break                                 

3:15 – 3:30pm - Corporate Keynote Remarks

  • Shawn O’Neail, Senior Vice President, Global Government Affairs,
    Eli Lilly & Company                                              

3:30 – 4:40pm - Panel II: “Global Partnerships & Innovation for a Healthy
Future Society: Life Sciences and Biomedical”

  • Pamela Whitten, President, Indiana University
  • Mamoru Kadokura, Member of the Board, Executive Vice President,
    Chief Technology Officer, Kaneka Corporation
  • Orsa Britton, Global Vice President and Executive Director, Zimmer Biomet
  • TBD
  • Moderator: Mike Bolinder, Chief Innovation Officer, BioCrossroads

Indiana Roof Ballroom
6:30 – 8:30pm - Gala Reception and Dinner

Friday, September 11:

Westin Indianapolis Hotel                                               
9:00 – 9:05am - Morning Welcome Remarks

9:05 – 9:20am - Keynote Remarks:

  • The Honorable Mitch Daniels, President, Purdue University;
    Former Governor, State of Indiana

9:20 – 10:45am - Panel III: “Innovation-Driver Future Industries:
Semiconductors/AI and Critical Mineral Resources”

  • Yoshinori Kanehana, Chairman of the Board, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd.               
  • Mark Lundstrom, Chief Semiconductor Officer and
    Dean of the College of Engineering, Purdue University
  • Jason Puckett, CEO, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Indiana
  • Mark Jensen, CEO, ReElement Technologies
  • Moderator: Trevor Foughty, Chief Operating Officer, Applied Research Institute

10:50 – 11:50am - Closing Ceremony and Remarks

  • Reading of the Joint Statement
  • State of Indiana Closing Remarks
  • Co-Chairs Closing Remarks & Gift Exchange

12:00 – 1:00pm - Farewell Buffet Luncheon

REGISTER NOW

 

MWJA Website