Indiana’s commerce secretary making overseas trip this week

The leader of Indiana’s business recruitment efforts is traveling to Japan for talks with executives of major automakers and other companies operating in the state.

Secretary of Commerce Chuck Goodrich is making the trip this week to the cities of Tokyo and Nagoya, state officials announced Tuesday.

Goodrich’s schedule includes meetings with leaders of Subaru, Toyota and Honda — all three of which have large assembly plants in Indiana.

“Japan is our most prominent international partner and the ideal destination for a strategic economic development trip,” Goodrich said in the trip announcement. “Our friendship with Japan has created thousands of career opportunities and investment in our communities over the last few decades, and we’re not slowing down.”

The trip by Goodrich will be the first for Gov. Mike Braun’s administration after he greatly scaled back the pace of foreign travel set by his predecessor, Gov. Eric Holcomb.

Holcomb made 27 foreign trade missions during his eight years as governor, including trips to Japan in 2017, 2019 and 2023.

Braun said he was proud that Indiana had built “a nearly 40-year partnership with Japan that has provided countless talent development and career opportunities for Hoosiers.”

“The state’s trip to Japan this week is a commitment to continuing our work together and advancing our shared strengths, particularly across the automotive and advanced manufacturing sectors,” he said.

Braun appointed Goodrich in July as commerce secretary, overseeing the Indiana Economic Development Corp., the Indiana Destination Corp. and other agencies, while Goodrich continues as CEO of Indianapolis-based Gaylor Electric.

Goodrich will be accompanied on the Japan trip by his wife, two officials from IEDC’s Indianapolis office and a representative of its Tokyo office, according to the announcement. Goodrich and his wife are paying for their travel expenses, with the Indiana Economic Development Foundation paying most of the expected $25,000 cost for others on the trip.