INDIANAPOLIS (March 10, 2006) ? Governor Mitch Daniels announced today that he will lead a small delegation of top level Indiana business leaders and elected officials to Japan and South Korea this summer. In 2005, the governor led an economic development mission to Japan and Taiwan.

?Insourcing jobs by capturing foreign investment is essential to Indiana?s hopes for an economic comeback. Any governor who doesn?t compete successfully to bring these jobs to Indiana would be guilty of negligence,? said Daniels. ?Especially in light of recent events, it?s important that Indiana send a clear message that we are interested in being a competitor in the global economy.?

Indiana currently ranks as one of the top destinations in the United States for Japanese investment. More than 200 Japanese companies operate in Indiana. Those companies have invested over $7 billion in Indiana?s economy and employ more than 40,000 Hoosiers in high quality, high paying jobs.

In 2005, Governor Daniels visited with executives from Toyota, Subaru, Mitsubishi, and other large employers in Japan. Since then, Aisin has announced the construction of a new facility in Crothersville and an expansion of its brake and chassis plant in Terre Haute. The governor?s trip to Taiwan also produced a deal to purchase $150 million in Hoosier corn and soybeans over the next two years.

This trade mission to Japan and South Korea will focus on expanding business relationships with companies currently operating in Indiana, establishing new potential partners, and renewing the state?s positive relationship with South Korea.

The delegation will depart Indiana on June 17, 2006 and return to Indiana on June 28, 2006. The governor will spend about a week in Japan and several days in South Korea. Specific details about the members of the delegation, specific travel agenda, and costs for delegates and members of the media who may wish to join the mission, will be released at a later date.