Trade delegation visits: Japanese business leaders explore potential opportunities

Members of the Japanese trade delegation explore the Discovery World facility on Wednesday night. (Photo by Gwen Sour)

PARKERSBURG — A delegation of 18 Japanese business leaders, representing a diverse array of industries, visited Wood County this week to explore potential opportunities for investment and collaboration.

The group, whose members are involved in sectors such as automotive, technology, energy, and corporate development, toured various sites in the region as part of a visit designed to showcase the area’s business potential. Wednesday, the delegation mingled with local business and governmental leaders at Discovery World on Market street.

“All of the people visiting have a U.S. customer base, but they don’t necessarily have a U.S. presence,” said Wood County Economic Development Director Lindsey Piersol. “The hope is that they’ll come here, fall in love with the region, and consider establishing a foothold in the U.S. by investing in Wood County.”

The delegation’s visit was made possible by one of Wood County’s newest businesses Somar Corporation and President Futoshi Sotani. Satani was instrumental in bringing his colleagues from Japan to explore the area.

The delegation’s itinerary included visits to prominent local facilities, starting with a tour of Hino Motors. Thursday’s plans had the group scheduled to explore the Polymer Alliance Zone and tour Somar Corporation’s new facility, which has not yet been widely showcased. They also toured the Washington Works facility.

Haghihara Industries Director to the President for Global Strategy and Special Missions Junichi Takamiya goes down a slide at Discovery World on Wednesday evening. (Photo provided)

The event also showcased the $12.8 million STEM Children’s Museum and Science Technology Center in Parkersburg. Museum Director Wendy Shriver shared details about the facility, designed by Roto, a leading exhibit designer for institutions like the Smithsonian. Guests explored the museum’s interactive exhibits, food and drink offerings, and even sampled alcohol-infused ice cream made with a ColdSnap machine, the only one of its kind in the state.

Mayor Tom Joyce hailed the visit of the Japanese delegation as a significant opportunity for both Parkersburg and Wood County.

“What’s good for Parkersburg is good for Wood County and vice versa,” he said. “Job growth, better jobs; that’s the key for Parkersburg, Wood County, and most of West Virginia. We need to create opportunities that keep the next generation of West Virginians here.”

President of the Somar Corporation Futoshi Sontai gives thanks for the delegation’s warm welcome to Wood County on Wednesday evening at Discovery World. (Photo by Gwen Sour)