HR80 Summary

• Honors the long-lasting friendship between Alabama and Japan on March 4, 2025.

• Alabama and Japan conducted nearly $2 billion in mutual trade in 2022, including mineral fuels, aircraft, vehicles, chemicals, machinery, and financial services.

• Japanese companies have invested over $20 billion in Alabama and created 20,000 jobs, including 8,100 jobs since 2018, through major manufacturers like Honda, Mazda Toyota Manufacturing USA, Toyota Motor Manufacturing Alabama, and Daikin America.

• Alabama universities and colleges have student exchange programs with Japan, and seven Alabama cities maintain sister-city relationships with Japanese cities, including Birmingham-Hitachi and Tuscaloosa-Narachino.

• The Birmingham Botanical Gardens' Japanese Garden is officially recognized by the Japanese government as a Japanese Cultural Center, and Alabamians participate in Japanese cultural activities including Sakura festivals and the Japan-America Society of Alabama.