Does the name Motoshi Yamada ring a bell? How about Margo Markopolous?

Yamada is the managing director of the State of Illinois Asia-Pacific Office. Markopolous is deputy director of the state’s Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, leading the agency’s trade and investment efforts.

Neither name comes first to my mind when thinking about key state government figures, but they and a few dozen others are on the radar in light of the 55th Midwest U.S.-Japan Association ’s conference, which ended Tuesday in Tokyo.

Illinois and nine other states sent dozens of delegates to the three-day session. The DCEO’s numbers speak to a successful partnership: In 2024, Illinois sent $2.5 billion in goods to Japan – only eight countries bought more – and imported $7 billion. More than 40

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