Orange County-Japan Business Forum
2026/9/23
On September 9, the Consulate General of Japan in Los Angeles hosted the Orange County - Japan Business Forum in collaboration with the Orange County Business Council (OCBC), Japan Business Association of Southern California (JBA), and JETRO LA. The event brought together over 100 Japanese and Southern Californian business and community leaders to highlight Orange County’s dynamic economy, innovation ecosystem, and opportunities for collaboration between Japanese and California companies.
According to the 2026 World Trade Center Los Angeles Foreign Direct Investment Report, Japan is the #1 foreign director investor in Orange County, accounting for nearly 500 establishments, more than 21,000 jobs and $2.3 billion in wages.
The Forum featured speakers from leading Orange County industries, including medical technology, advanced manufacturing, information technology and electronics, and manufacturing and also introduced resources and partners to support business in the region. The importance of further strengthening business ties between Japan and Orange County was discussed throughout the Forum, including through a presentation by OCBC on Orange County’s role as a global business hub and panel discussions featuring Japanese and U.S. companies based in Orange County. The program concluded with a networking reception, where numerous business and community leaders exchanged ideas and explored opportunities for deeper collaboration between Japan and Orange County.
According to the 2026 World Trade Center Los Angeles Foreign Direct Investment Report, Japan is the #1 foreign director investor in Orange County, accounting for nearly 500 establishments, more than 21,000 jobs and $2.3 billion in wages.
The Forum featured speakers from leading Orange County industries, including medical technology, advanced manufacturing, information technology and electronics, and manufacturing and also introduced resources and partners to support business in the region. The importance of further strengthening business ties between Japan and Orange County was discussed throughout the Forum, including through a presentation by OCBC on Orange County’s role as a global business hub and panel discussions featuring Japanese and U.S. companies based in Orange County. The program concluded with a networking reception, where numerous business and community leaders exchanged ideas and explored opportunities for deeper collaboration between Japan and Orange County.
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| (From Left): CA Assemblymember Tri Ta; CA Senator Tom Umberg; OCBC President and CEO Jeff Ball; Consul General Kosei Murota; U.S. Congressmember Young Kim; CA Senator Steven Choi; Irvine Mayor Larry Agran |
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| U.S. Congressmember Young Kim and Consul General Kosei Murota |
Panel Discussion |
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| Remarks by Consul General Murota | Networking Reception |