Gov. Gretchen Whitmer highlighted on social media Saturday the thousands of jobs and millions in investments secured through the state’s partnership with Asian leaders while at an expo in Japan.
The governor kicked off her trade mission to Singapore and Japan on Sunday in partnership with a delegation of public- and private-sector leaders from across the state.
In a video posted on X Saturday, Sept. 6, Whitmer provided an update on her trip alongside Governor Taizo Mikazuki from the Shiga Prefecture in Japan from the Osaka Expo.
“Michigan’s open for business and on the move,” Whitmer said in the video. “A few weeks ago, we were ranked the sixth best state doing business, putting us in the top 10 for the third year in a row. I’m in Japan to build on our momentum and compete hard to bring jobs back to Michigan.”
Here are three takeaways from Whitmer’s investment mission this week:
Whitmer departs for trade trip as budget deadline looms
Whitmer’s investment mission comes as a potential government shutdown looms due to stalled state budget negotiations.
To avoid the shutdown, the state will need to adopt a budget before the start of the next fiscal year on Oct. 1. Lawmakers need to agree on a 2025-2026 spending plan. Lawmakers did not meet the self-imposed budget deadline of July 1.
It is unclear when Whitmer will return to the state, but she has said her administration is prepared for the possible shutdown.
Automotive supplier investing $95 million in new headquarters in Wixom
During her trip, Whitmer announced that Tokyo-based automotive supplier Astemo Ltd. is investing $95 million in a regional headquarters in Wixom.
She said the investment will support a minimum of 200 “good-paying” jobs and help retain an additional 175 jobs.
The announcement comes as the company, which already has a technical center and headquarters just west of Wixom in Farmington Hills, looks to expand.
Manufacturer announces plans for $72.8 million global headquarters in Zeeland
On Wednesday, Sept. 3, JR Automation announced its plans for a new $72.8 million global headquarters in Zeeland, which is expected to create about 150 new jobs.
The announcement came after leaders from the company met with Whitmer and its parent company, Tokyo-based Hitachi Ltd.
Additionally, 350 existing employees from several of the company’s West Michigan locations will be relocated to the new headquarters.
JR Automation plans to break ground on the 286,000-square-foot facility this month, and it expects construction will be completed in Fall 2026. The facility will be located on Riley Street and feature a space that will be utilized for the assembly of customer automation projects as well as an office space.
Japan is Michigan’s sixth-largest trade partner and more than 37,000 direct jobs in the state are supported by 415 Japanese-owned companies in Michigan.
Singapore is also a major trade partner of Michigan, which primarily exports transportation equipment, machinery, and chemical products. In 2024, the state’s exports to Singapore totaled $283 million.
The last time Whitmer left the country for a trade mission was in June, when she traveled to Australia for a week with a state delegation.
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