Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Economic Development International Trade topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Mayor recounts Japan trade mission, cites potential expansions, workforce needs and tariff concerns
Summary
A city official delivered a detailed recap of a recent trade mission to Japan that included meetings with multiple Japanese companies and trade groups; topics included potential company expansions, hiring needs (including an estimated 166 new positions at one firm), tariff uncertainty and sister‑city ties with Takahashi.
Troy — A city official recapped a multiday trade mission to Japan that included meetings with senior executives of several Japan‑linked companies with operations in Troy and with Japanese trade bodies and prefectural leaders about potential investment and workforce ties.
Mister Titterington, who reported on the trip to council, said the delegation met with representatives from six of nine Japan‑affiliated companies that have work units in Troy, as well as with JETRO (Japan External Trade Organization), the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), and the governor and trade offices of Saitama Prefecture. He said discussions repeatedly returned to tariff uncertainty and workforce needs.
“Comeo... were very thankful, to the staff and to the council members that were supportive,” Titterington told council, referring to meetings with Honda logistics operations. He said Comeo and others are watching local rezoning and other steps that could influence expansion timelines. Titterington said one company indicated it would need to recruit a minimum of 166 new employees if it expands.
The presentation named several firms with ties to Troy: Honda parts/Honda America; Comeo (Honda Logistics); FTech and F&P (R&D and manufacturing units); SEGNA; NOK (Freudenberg NOK partnership); and LinTech/MacTech. He also described meetings with JETRO offices in Tokyo and Nagoya, METI officials, and Saitama Prefecture leadership, including Governor Ono and a Saitama JETRO office.
Titterington said delegates also visited Kyoto’s Chamber of Commerce and met a former Panasonic plant manager, Mark Yamanaka, to review local industrial history. The delegation toured a variety of facilities, including a Clopay plant in Japan, and met Takahashi city officials; he noted Takahashi is Troy’s sister city.
Councilmembers asked follow-up questions about workforce and immigration status for Haitian employees reportedly employed by local firms; Titterington said firms employ approximately 200 Haitian workers in Troy and expressed concern about ensuring their status and continuity amid immigration and tariff uncertainty. He also reported on local civic items — new city‑hall hours, Juneteenth closures and upcoming festivals — as part of his update.
Titterington described the trip as productive for relationship building with corporate and regional partners and said staff would follow up on workforce training connections and potential incentives discussions with state partners.
