Toyota invests \$453 million in its Buffalo plant in West Virginia, creating 80 new jobs.

West Virginia, USA, equipped with the labor force, raw materials, and logistics network necessary for the overseas expansion of the automotive industry.

Automobile parts manufacturers around the world have discovered that the path to success leads to West Virginia. Companies that supply and support the automotive industry will find a prepared workforce equipped with the skills needed in today’s market. Furthermore, in West Virginia, there is easy access to suppliers of raw materials necessary for the automotive industry, such as steel, aluminum, and chemicals/polymers. Automakers in the state can leverage research and technology resources such as nonprofit centers for alternative fuels, the National Alternative Fuel Training Consortium, and the Robert C. Byrd Advanced Flexible Manufacturing Institute (RCBI). For more details, please download the catalog from the link below.

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West Virginia has numerous advantages such as business costs, safety, and livability. The automotive industry is becoming more active as major companies strengthen their investments.

West Virginia, which resonates with some people through the famous song "Country Roads." But how many know how beneficial it is for automotive manufacturers and their suppliers? The automotive industry is thriving in this state, with major companies, including Toyota, strengthening their investments. There are numerous well-known companies with manufacturing bases, and the location offers advantages such as proximity to assembly plants. **Five Reasons Why Many Japanese Companies Invest in West Virginia** (1) Competitive Business Costs… Business costs, including taxes, wages, and utilities, are lower than the national average. (2) Market Location… It is at the center of the automotive industry corridor running from the Midwest to the South of North America. (3) Workforce Support… Financial support for recruitment and employee training, as well as human resources assistance. (4) Investment Incentives… Tax credits for manufacturing, assistance in finding factory sites and properties, financial support, and other assistance. (5) One-on-One Support… Individual project support from staff based in Japan and staff at the West Virginia headquarters. *Currently, we have released materials introducing the benefits of corporate expansion into West Virginia. Please feel free to view them from the [PDF Download] link below.*

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A strategic location close to assembly plants in the United States and Canada. An introduction to the automotive industry in West Virginia.

West Virginia offers a high-profit location for automotive parts manufacturers due to lower business taxes compared to neighboring states, a competitive wage environment, and abundant, low-cost utilities. The state provides tax credits, worker training support, loan programs, and other incentives to attract and promote the development of automotive manufacturing projects. Access to workers is ensured through educational and training programs, providing a stable supply of skilled labor. Additionally, various engineering bachelor's and master's programs are offered at West Virginia University, Marshall University, and other regional institutions. [About the Japan Representative Office of the West Virginia State Government] Our Japan office provides support services after entering the market, including market research, local property introductions, referrals to necessary professionals, and assistance with incentives, tax credits, job training, and recruitment. We offer the latest local information, so please feel free to consult with us. *We are currently publishing an "Automotive Industry Map" summarizing industry trends! Please check it out via PDF download.

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In public construction civil engineering sites, there are many instances where sheets are used as common temporary facilities, such as construction roads, access roads, heavy machinery work yards, material storage areas, and worker pathways. Traditionally, steel plates were common, but due to their weight, transportation and installation can be cumbersome. Hyper CLT sheets are civil engineering materials made from wooden CLT for civil engineering use. The 5×10 sheet weighs about 230 kg, and the 5×20 sheet weighs about 460 kg, making them lightweight and easy to transport, install, and remove, even with small machinery. They can be widely utilized for temporary roads, heavy machinery scaffolding, pathways within the site, and protection of material storage in public works. Since they are made of wood, they also contribute to environmental aspects such as reducing summer heat reflection, lowering noise, and fixing CO2. They can simultaneously address construction efficiency, safety measures, and environmental considerations, making them effective for innovative proposals in public works. Furthermore, they improve transportation efficiency and reduce labor in site operations as an alternative to steel plates. Hyper CLT sheets are registered technology with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism under NETIS "TH-250021-A." They are recommended for companies considering civil engineering, civil engineering use, and civil engineering CLT. Feel free to request materials or consult about implementation. They are temporary materials that also help improve site evaluations in public works. Please consider them.

We have released a new video on our company’s YouTube channel. The theme of this video is "The World of Amino Acid-Based Shampoos." Amino acid-based shampoos have become popular in recent years, but the lather, feel, and finish can vary greatly depending on the cleansing ingredients used. In this video, we clearly explain the changes in user experience based on the differences in cleansing ingredients by comparing two types of amino acid-based shampoos. We hope you can use this as a hint for developing original shampoos and differentiation.

New York and Tokyo, June 26, 2026 - (JCN Newswire) - This year's successful listing of PayPay Corporation (hereinafter "PayPay") on NASDAQ has provided a significant boost. The question now facing Japan's leading innovation companies is no longer "Is a U.S. listing feasible?" but rather "How can we attract global capital and build companies that align with global growth strategies?" The 2nd Japan Go IPO Summit will be held on September 16, 2026, at the Grand Hyatt Tokyo to address this question. This summit is hosted by MarcumAsia and organized by AUM Advisors. To register for this invitation-only event, please apply here: Japan GO IPO Summit Attendee Information https://events.marcumasia.com/view.php?id=32

Our company representative, Shibata, will be speaking as a lecturer at the "Mikata Project" AI Utilization Seminar for the automotive industry, hosted by the Chubu Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry. ■ Title: AI Implementation Course Leading to Results - Learning Success Patterns and Practical Processes from Real Examples in Manufacturing Sites "We implemented AI, but it is not being used on-site and is left unattended" and "The implementation has become the goal without yielding results" - we have seen many such stumbling blocks in manufacturing sites. In the seminar, based on real examples, we will discuss common patterns for successful implementation that lead to results, pitfalls to avoid, and practical processes to ensure AI is continuously used. We will also propose specific measures for sites struggling with technology transfer and dependency on individuals. ■ Event Overview Date: July 3, 2026 (Friday) 13:30 - 16:00 Venue: TKP Meitetsu Nagoya Station Conference Center + Online Participation Fee: Free / Application Deadline: June 30 (Tuesday) Organizer: Chubu Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry (Automotive Industry "Mikata Project") Co-presenter: Satoru Hayami, Waseda University For details and registration, please visit the official page of the Chubu Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry. If you are struggling with AI implementation in manufacturing sites, please feel free to consult us, regardless of region or industry.

July 16 (Thursday) 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Venue: Convex Okayama Small Exhibition Hall