Japan - Chicago Business Facts

350 Japanese companies at approximately 950 locations in greater Chicago

  • North American Headquarters for Astellas and Takeda
  • Aeon, Bridgestone, INX, NEC, Sony, Ricoh, Sumitomo, Sysmex, Seven & I

More than 100 Chicago-area companies in Japan

  • McDonald’s, Hyatt, Abbott, ITW, Baxter, Nalco, Panduit Spraying Systems

Recent expansions:

  • Toyota Training Center, 2012
  • Nomura Holdings, 2012
  • Toshiba Medical Systems, 2011
  • Toyo Ink Americas HW, 2011
  • Ricoh Americas Corp, 2011
  • Sysmex Corp., 2011
  • NSK Americas Corp.,2011
  • Takeda Pharmaceutical North America HQ campus, Deerfield, 2006
  • Astellas Pharma North American HQ, Deerfield, 2005 (building new 425,000-square foot U.S. HQ in Glenview completed in 2012)

2012 Imports to the Chicago Customs District

  • Total: $13.6 billion

Top Import Categories:

  • Industrial Machinery, Including Computers 
  • Electric Machinery; Sound Equip.; TV Equip. 
  • Optic, Photo, Medical or Surgical Instruments

2012 Exports from the Chicago Customs District

  • Total: $4.5 billion

Top Export Categories:

  • Optic, Photo, Medical or Surgical Instruments
  • Industrial Machinery, Including Computers
  • Electric Machinery; Sound Equip.; TV Equip. 

Chicago/Japan Connections:

Japanese Consulate General in Chicago

Osaka Japan Sister City relationship since 1973

City of Osaka Chicago Office since 1958, 50th anniversary in 2008

There are 28 weekly nonstop departures from Chicago airports to destinations in Japan.

18,000 Japanese-Americans in Chicago, 2000 Census; Futabakai School, Arlington Heights

City of Osaka Vice Mayor delegation to Chicago, 2008, commemorating 35th anniversary of Sister City relationship

CME Group and Osaka Securities Exchange annouced a strategic partnership in 2011