Illinois’ second-in-command return from Japan

Posted on September 15, 2023
Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton. (WJBC file photo)

By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – A delegation led by Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton is back from Japan, and she believes the trade mission met its goal.

“We are home to more Japanese businesses than any other Midwestern state, and our bilateral trade with Japan is in the amount of a little over $11 billion for 2022,” Stratton told an online news conference. “When I think about how important it is, this is an example of why these types of trips and relationship-building opportunities are so critical. There is a real opportunity to attract those businesses or grow those businesses right here in Illinois.”

Stratton said she believes Illinois’ workforce is the best, adding that with climate change a concern, companies are better off in the middle of the country, as opposed to the coasts.

Another point Stratton stressed: the delegation was almost all female.

Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected]

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