With more than 20 companies employing approximately 7,500 people, Japanese companies provide numerous jobs and opportunities to Marysville and Union County. These 7,500 jobs account for 20.3% of the total jobs (27,087) in Union County. Over the past 40 years, these companies collectively have invested nearly $8 billion dollars (Honda has invested $4.4 billion alone) into Union County.

International Representation in Union County:

> Australia

> Brazil

> China

> Israel

> Japan

> Netherlands

> Spain

> Switzerland

> United Kingdom

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Major Japanese Firms Operating in Union County

> Advanced Technology Products

> Denyo North America

> Minebea AccessSolutions USA Inc

> Honda Engineering North America

> Honda Marysville

> Honda Marysville Motor Sports

> Honda of America Mfg.

> Honda North America

> Honda R&D Americas

> Honda Trading of America  

> KAPI-O USA

> KNB Tools of America

> Midwest Express

> Moriroku Technology

> Neaton Auto Products

> Nissin International Transport

> NKC of America

> Oyabe Americas

> Precision Tools (Toyo)

> Sanko Gosei Technologies USA

> Sumitomo Electric Wiring Systems

> Tomita USA

> Yaskawa Electric America

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Friendship City Program

In 2012, we began a journey to strengthen our community’s ties with Japan. With our close ties to Honda and with our numerous Japanese companies, we eagerly began a journey to strengthen our community’s ties with Japan in December 2013 with the signing of a Friendship Declaration Agreement with Yorii-machi, Japan.

Ohio Communities in Support of Japanese Investment:

‍In 2020, we teamed up with Logan, Miami, and Shelby Counties to begin quarterly meetings to share ideas, programs and resources.

Japanese Business Missions

City of Marysville and County representatives travel to Japan biennially to meet with the parent companies of Japanese-owned facilities operating in Union County. The mission also includes goodwill visit to Yorii-machi and attendance at the Midwest U.S. – Japan Association Conference. Visits have occurred to Japan in 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2023.

Friendship Garden

In 2015, the City of Marysville completed Partners Park in Uptown Marysville which included a Friendship Garden. The Friendship Garden was sponsored by Honda of America Mfg., Inc. and included a Japanese stone and Cherry Tree, both donated by the citizens of Yorii-machi.

Special Gift to Yorii-machi

To honor our relationship with Yorii-machi, the Marysville-Yorii Friendship Committee worked with Honda of America Mfg., Inc., Tool Technologies, Celebrity, Quantum Technologies, Nissin International Transport, and Marysville EVSD to create a 3D printed Pottersburg Covered Bridge replica as a gift to the citizens of Yorii-machi. The gift was delivered in-person to Yorii-machi City officials.

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Japanese Language Program

Marysville Exempted Village School District (MEVSD) began its first Japanese language program during the 2014-2015 school year. The program has since grown to the largest in Ohio.

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Student Exchange Program

In 2015, seven Marysville students travelled to Yorii-machi, beginning the Marysville-Yorii Student Exchange Program. Since then, students have traveled to Yorii-machi in 2017, 2019 and 2024, while students from Yorii-machi have traveled to Marysville in 2016, 2018 and 2023.

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Columbus Japanese Language School (CJLS):

Since September 2021, the CJLS Marysville schools has hosted their Saturday school. The 40-year-old program brings over 400 students to the Marysville campus.​

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International companies wishing to invest in the United States are the basis of foreign direct investment (FDI). The United States and the Columbus Region are recognized as strong places to conduct business and are at the forefront of innovation. That especially is true in Union County, where Japanese-owned companies in particular provide employment for thousands of residents. As a community, we see the many benefits it has for economic development. It diversifies the workforce, creates jobs, and often enhances an already-dynamic business environment.

Foreign-owned companies show a great amount of interest in our industry clusters, including automotive, chemicals, smart mobility, research and development, and agriculture.