Logansport Mayor Mike Fincher is representing the Logansport Cass County Economic Development Foundation on a trip to Japan. He is currently attending the Midwest U.S.-Japan Association Conference, which ends Tuesday.
Thursday, Sept. 6
We checked out of the hotel in Tokyo at 7:15 a.m. and took a cab to the train station. We boarded the train around 8 a.m. and arrived at the Shin-Osaka station a little after 11 a.m. and met a gentleman who owns a cold forging business in Osaka.
After lunch he drove us to a manufacturing business (the ride was about an hour long) that makes stainless steel products such as pipes and rods. We met with officials there and took a tour of their plant.
At the end of the day we checked into the Rihga Royal Hotel and spent the night.
Friday, Sept. 7
We checked out of the hotel in Osaka at 7:45 a.m. and took a cab to the train station. We boarded the train at 8:40 a.m. and headed to Kanazawa to meet with Mr. Matsumoto of Logansport Matsumoto.
We arrived at Kanazawa City around 11:30 a.m. and checked into the hotel. We met Mr. Matsumoto at 1 p.m. He drove us to a research and development group that works for his prefecture (state government) trying to enhance the future of Kanazawa and its citizens.
They showed us some interesting projects they were working on. One that was most interesting to me was a device that when held to a color would know the color it was touching. It is being used as a pilot project for blind people to make them more independent.
The device was a little larger than a cell phone. When held next to a color, the device would name the color, even different shades of color. From there, we took a short ride and visited with some representatives of Ishikawa Iron Works and Electric Association.
Saturday, Sept. 8
We departed Kanazawa by train and arrived in Tokyo at 4 p.m. We had to switch trains in Echigoyuzawa before arriving in Tokyo.
Sunday, Sept. 9
The conference starts with a tour of the Tokyo Museum and a cruise in Tokyo Bay. The welcoming reception was held on Sunday evening. We took a bus ride to a massive, totally self contained, complex. It is a high rise type complex with housing, theaters, grocery stores and a playground.
At the reception, I met Consul General Shinoda. We had a nice visit. He reminded the people of Logansport to have patience and persistence while working with the Japanese.
I visited with former Consul General Yoshizawa. He has very good memories of Logansport and still has his lapel pin he received on his visit.
I also spoke with Gov. Mitch Daniels. He assured me that the Hoosier Heartland Industrial Corridor is still one of his top projects for Indiana. “I am keeping a close eye on it. Don’t worry.”
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