When doing business internationally, knowing the right people can be critical. This article is part of a series introducing GlobalAtlanta readers to the state of Georgia’s economic representatives in 10 countries.  Click the links below to see short profiles and videos of those on the front lines of the state’s worldwide economic development.

Overview – Brazil – Canada – Chile – China – Germany – Israel – Japan – Korea – Mexico – United Kingdom

Yumiko Nakazono, managing director of Georgia’s Japan office in Tokyo, told GlobalAtlanta in a video interview in October that her team is increasingly assisting small- to medium-sized Georgia companies to find business partners in Japan.

While large Georgia-based firms such as Coca-Cola Co. and United Parcel Service Inc. already have extensive operations in Japan, Ms. Nakazono’s office has helped smaller firms such as a skin care products developer and an asbestos treatment manufacturer enter the Japanese market.

She said Japanese automotive companies are her top targets for investing in Georgia. In 2007, there were 350 Japanese firms with operations in the state, employing some 30,000 Georgians.

Japan was Georgia’s fourth largest export market in 2008, receiving 23 percent more Georgia exports that year than in 2007, even while Japan faces one of its worst recessions since World War II. Ms. Nakazono has worked for the Georgia Department of Economic Development since 1989 and has been the managing director of the Japan office since 1994.

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Overview – Brazil – Canada – Chile – China – Germany – Israel – Japan – Korea – Mexico – United Kingdom

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