Greetings from Narita, Japan! After a long but very comfortable flight, we arrived at Narita Airport almost on time, about 6:30 p.m. Narita time and 5:30 a.m. Greensburg time. We had no trouble getting through customs, all of our luggage arrived with us, and Glenn, Shin and I are excited to be here and looking forward to a busy but productive week.

As we left the baggage claim area we were greeted by the friendly faces of our friends from Hitachi Powdered Metals, Mr. Hiroshi Fujinami, President, Mr. Nobi Funabashi, Department Manager of Overseas Support, and Mr. Takeshi Oomori, Manager of Hitachi’s Katori Works Factory.

Hiroshi-san had a car waiting. It was a short drive to the Narita Hilton where we were met by another Hitachi executive, Mr. Hiroaki Hosoi. After getting checked into our rooms Hiroshi-san escorted us to a private dining room where they evening started with some relaxed conversation and a traditional toast with a glass of Japanese beer.

Hitachi Powdered Metals is the parent company of Sintering Technologies who has been an important part of the Greensburg community for many years. To show our appreciation for their long commitment to Greensburg and Decatur County, Glenn then presented Mr. Fujinami with a commemorative plate which the City and County had commissioned to be created by local artist Sue Carey.

Hiroshi-san then gave each of us a set of beautiful Japanese crystal glasses in remembrance of our visit and then the food started to arrive! The meal was planned so that we could experience a wide variety of traditional Japanese food, interspersed with some American dishes. We had shrimp, eel, salmon, and a variety of other fish, some of which I can’t pronounce, vegetables, wonderful beef, and a delicious vegetable soup, to name a few. Glenn impressed all of us with his mastery of chopsticks. I on the other hand had to revert to a fork and knife!

It was a wonderful evening and a memorable beginning of our trip. We ended the evening tired, happy definitely well fed, and looking forward to our tour of Hitachi’s Katori Works factory tomorrow.

Monday began with a trip; to Tako, a city approximately the size of Greensburg. Tako is the site of Hitachi’s Katori plant. In addition to Mr Funabashi and Oomori, Mr Hosoi and Mr Suzuki joined us at the plant. Like Greensburg it sits in a rural/agricultural area. Unlike Greensburg, the fields are full of vegetables, rather than corn and soybeans. The plant is high tech and makes valves similar to Sintering. It also produces a fine graphite powder for televisions. The plant also makes sprockets and gears for engines. The plant ships worldwide.

Following the tour, our hosts arranged for a visit to the Narita temple, a 1000 year old Shinto temple that sits upon the highest point in the area. The temple and surrounding landscape are beautiful and grand in size and scope. In a country that maximizes the use of its land, it is impressive to see the open space and the art and intricate detail devoted to the spiritual aspects of Japanese culture.

Following lunch we traveled by car to Tokyo and arrived about 2 PM at the Imperial hotel, our headquarters until the trip to Nagoya on Thursday. The imperial hotel was the site of our first investment seminar and reception, arranged by Mr Hemuki, Indiana’s representative in Japan. Approximately 50 business representatives attended. Along with three others representing areas of southern Indiana, Vicki Kellerman was given the opportunity to showcase Decatur and Rush county. For most in attendance, Greensburg was a familiar name because of the recent Honda announcement. During the reception, many expressed interest in Greensburg and Decatur County. In addition to Japanese business representatives, the U.S. ambassador’s office sent, Mr John Peters, a counselor for government and business affairs.

Tomorrow, we visit with GECOM parent company Mitsui Kinzoku and have the opportunity to participate in a banking seminar with the other representatives.