LANSING, Mich. – Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced the successful conclusion of her investment mission to Singapore, Japan, and Germany, where she and the Michigan delegation met with business leaders, government officials, and industry stakeholders to strengthen economic partnerships and highlight Michigan as a premier destination for investment, innovation, and job creation. As a result of the mission, 800 new jobs were secured and 175 jobs were retained, with nearly $200 million in investment brought to Michigan.
Throughout the mission, Governor Whitmer underscored Michigan’s leadership in advanced manufacturing, clean energy, mobility, technology, and defense and aerospace, while also reinforcing the importance of building global relationships in the face of ongoing federal trade uncertainties and tariffs.
“When we engage directly with our partners abroad, we can secure investments that create good-paying jobs for Michiganders, grow our advanced industries, and strengthen our state’s economic future,” said Gov. Whitmer (left). “Especially at a time of global uncertainty, it is more important than ever for Michigan to take the lead in opening doors, fostering trust, and showcasing why there’s no better place to do business than right here in our state. I’ll keep working with anyone and competing with everyone to grow Michigan’s economy, create good-paying jobs, and help individuals, families, and businesses ‘make it’ in Michigan.”
“Engaging with businesses and partners in-market is essential to deepening relationships, maintaining top of mind in an increasingly competitive North American market, showcasing Michigan’s strengths and landing the groundwork to secure future foreign direct investment,” said Quentin L. Messer, Jr., CEO of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)(above). “This mission underscored that our state’s story resonates globally: Michigan offers a strong environment for businesses, talent for the future, and a proven ability to deliver wins for communities across our state. Nurturing these international relationships enables Team Michigan to fully execute our ‘Make It in Michigan’ strategy while remaining competitively relevant amid a rapidly changing foreign direct investment landscape.”
Historic Mission to Singapore
Gov. Whitmer and the Team Michigan delegation marked the first-ever official investment mission by a Michigan governor to Singapore. While in the country, the delegation met with the Economic Development Board of Singapore and participated in a roundtable with Enterprise Singapore, where they engaged businesses while discussing Michigan’s innovation ecosystem. The delegation engaged with University of Michigan alumni in Singapore and met with Singapore’s Prime Minister, who is also a graduate of the University of Michigan.
Strengthening Ties with Japan
During the Japan portion of the mission, the MEDC signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) with Hitachi to identify collaborative opportunities in the state in areas including advanced manufacturing, energy infrastructure development, transportation infrastructure development, data center development, life science, start-up ecosystem facilitation, and R&D.
This agreement underscores the long-standing and deep economic ties between Michigan and Japan, with 415 Japanese-owned facilities already employing tens of thousands of Michiganders, building on decades-long partnerships with Japanese companies who have played a vital role in Michigan’s growth. The MOC expresses a shared commitment to innovation, collaboration, and expanding opportunities for individuals and businesses in both Michigan and Japan.
The Michigan delegation met with leaders of companies with a Michigan presence including Daifuku, DENSO, Subaru, Nissan, and Woven by Toyota. DENSO, Subaru, Nissan, and Toyota are all members of the MEDC’s Talent Action Team, and have worked with the state supporting talent attraction, retention, and upskilling efforts. The delegation also attended the Midwest U.S.–Japan Association Conference, and engaged in business roundtables with the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), Japan Auto Parts Industries Association (JAPIA), and KEIDANREN (Japan Business Federation).
Additionally while in Japan, Gov. Whitmer announced Astemo’s new regional headquarters in Wixom, and JR Automation’s new regional headquarters in Zeeland, during meetings with both companies.
Engaging with Industry Leaders in Germany
In Munich, Governor Whitmer and the delegation held strategic meetings with companies with a presence in Michigan exhibiting at the IAA Mobility Conference, including Ford, DENSO, AISIN, SamsungSDI, Mercedes-Benz, Schaeffler, Continental, ZF, Expleo, Magna, AVL, and Volkswagen, reinforcing Michigan’s role as a global hub for automotive and advanced manufacturing. In addition to Team Michigan’s presence at IAA Mobility, the delegation met with company leadership at TÜV SÜD, and yesterday, announced American Rheinmetall’s intention to expand and create 450 jobs in Michigan.
