Whitmer spent $216,000 on Japan trip

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s recent trip to Japan is expected to have cost $216,000, according to a document obtained by Michigan Capitol Confidential through a records request. The governor's trip to Japan ended up being part of a three-country tour that also included visits to Singapore and Germany.

When Whitmer landed in Tokyo, she immediately got to work making sushi before staying overnight at the Prince Sakura Tower. She met with representatives of Astemo, an automotive supplier, and toured the Astemo plant.

The second-term governor also met with members of the Japan External Trade Organization, a government economic development agency; HITACHI, JR Automation, XEX Nihonbashi, Subaru, Tenabe Tech, Nissan, Nippon Steel and Keidanren.

She took meetings with the president of Toyota and the chairman of the Japan Automotive Products Association. The governor also toured Daifuku’s facility and had dinner with Gov. Taizo Mikazuki of the Shiga prefecture as well as the mayor of Hino, a city in the Tokyo metropolitan area.

Whitmer also met with Honda and the Midwest Japan Association.

After visiting the Land of the Rising Sun, Whitmer traveled to Singapore. “Singapore is one of the most dynamic economies in the world, a global hub for finance, advanced manufacturing, and clean energy,” Whitmer said in a statement. “By making this first-of-its-kind visit, we are opening the door for new trade opportunities, building connections with business leaders, and showing that Michigan is a reliable and innovative partner for the future. At the same time, we will deepen our decades-long relationship with Japan, reinforcing our partnerships in key shared industries. Whether tariffs shift or global markets fluctuate, Michigan remains open for business and eager to collaborate.”

The governor’s trip to Japan included an official delegation and an external delegation of local government officials and others from Michigan. The $216,000 cost is only for members of the official delegation, which included:

• Gov. Whitmer
• Principal Deputy Chief of Staff Zach Pohl
• Deputy of Scheduling Terry Krinvic
• Deputy Chief Communications Officer Chai Karve
• Michigan Economic Development Corporation CEO Quentin Messer Jr.
• Chief Innovation and Ecosystem Officer Ben Marchionna
• Director of Greater Asia Investment Promotion Brian Connors
• Business Development Advisor Amanda Eisbrenner
• Assistant Chief of Protocal Maci Gilmore
• Senior Japanese Business Advisor John Clark.

The external delegation consisted of:

• Executive Director of the Michigan Economic Development Foundation Rebecca Bahar-Cook
• University of Michigan Associate Vice president for Research Kelly Sexton
• AISIN World Corp. Executive Vice President Shin Sasaki
• AISIN World Corp. Vice President of Corporate Communications Joe Rohatynski
• Toyota North America Vice President of Integrated Vehicle Systems Nick Sitarski
• Battle Creek Mayor John Behnke
• Battle Creek Unlimited President and CEO Joe Sobieralski
• Battle Creek Unlimited Vice President of Attraction Robert Corder
• Ken Masumoto, Japan advisor for Battle Creek Unlimited
• Battle Creek Commissioner Jim Lance
• Oakland County Executive David Coulter
• Oakland County Business Development Manager Michael Abdallah
• Detroit Regional Partnerships Managing Vice President of Business Development Alan Weber
• DENSO International America Vice President of Corporate Communications Robert Townsend
• Lakeshore Advantage President Jennifer Owens
• JETRO Chicago Special Advisor Ralph Inforzato
• Novi Mayor Justin Fischer
• Hajime Kishimori, Consul General of Japan in Detroit
• University of Michigan Senior Director of International Giving and Engagement Eun Ja Yu

The figure of $216,000 for the official delegation does not include expenses for Whitmer’s subsequent trips to Singapore and Germany. Michigan Capitol Confidential has requested records for those trips. It also has requested records from Novi, Oakland County and Battle Creek to see which entity paid for expenses incurred by their members of the external delegation.

Two people representing Novi attended the Midwest U.S.–Japan Association Conference, Sheryl Walsh, Novi’s director of community relations, told CapCon in an email.

“This conference serves as a valuable forum for strengthening economic and cultural ties between the Midwest and Japan. While in Japan, they also met with Japanese government leaders, including the Governor of Shiga Prefecture and members of the legislature, to discuss opportunities for partnership. In addition, they visited several Japanese companies with headquarters in Novi and initiated Sister City discussions with Nagahama, Japan,” Walsh wrote.

The city of Novi paid all associated trip costs for its two employees, including airfare, lodging, and the conference registration fee, Walsh added.

“These efforts are directly tied to supporting Novi’s residents and businesses,” Walsh wrote. “Novi is home to the largest Japanese population in Michigan, and Japanese investment plays a critical role in our local economy. Building and maintaining these relationships at both the business and government levels ensures continued economic development, cultural exchange, and community enrichment.”

The cost breakdown is below. The money came from the Michigan Economic Development Foundation, a nonprofit that helps fund the MEDC.

• Airfare: $85,000
• Ground transportation, trains: $70,000
• English guides, interpreters: $30,000
• Meals: $25,000
• University of Michigan alumni event: $6,000

International trips are a critical part of the Make it in Michigan economic development strategy, Danielle Emerson, public relations manager at the MEDC, told CapCon in an email. 

“Building relationships with international companies keeps Michigan top of mind as an ideal place for companies to do business as they look to the United States for potential investment opportunities,” Emerson wrote. 

This year, Whitmer spent $175,000 on her trip to the United Arab Emirates in February, $204,000 on a March trip to the UK, and $219,000 on a June trip to Australia. 

In 2023, Whitmer visited Japan and spent $285,000.