CHICAGO, IL / FARGO, ND — Nov. 25, 2025 — The Consulate-General of Japan in Chicago and the North Dakota Trade Office are pleased to announce that Consul-General Masashi Mizobuchi is undertaking a three-day visit to North Dakota to highlight the significant contributions of Japanese-owned businesses to local communities and to further strengthen Japan’s long-standing ties with the state.
As part of this visit, Consul-General Mizobuchi will participate in a Grassroots Caravan event at North Dakota Soybean Processors in Casselton on Tuesday, November 25.
The Grassroots Caravan Initiative aims to deepen mutual understanding and strengthen Japan–U.S. economic relations by showcasing the positive impact of Japanese companies to local communities across the United States. North Dakota Soybean Processors, which operates a state-of-the-art soybean processing facility in Casselton, is among the many Japanese-affiliated companies contributing to North Dakota’s strong economic ties with Japan. During the visit participants, including state and local officials, will have the opportunity to learn about the company’s operations and its importance to the state economy.
During his trip, Consul-General Mizobuchi will meet with Governor Kelly Armstrong in Bismarck, as well as other state officials and local business leaders. These meetings will provide an opportunity to discuss the strength of Japan’s partnership with North Dakota and explore future avenues for collaboration.
The visit will conclude with a stop at the Snow Country Prison Japanese Internment Memorial, which honors the more than 1,100 Issei and 750 Nisei incarcerated at the Fort Lincoln camp during World War II. The Consul-General will pay tribute to these Japanese Americans, whose legacy helped lay the foundation for today’s enduring Japan–U.S. alliance.
Japan and North Dakota share a long-standing partnership built on strong economic ties dating back more than a century. Japan is North Dakota’s second-largest foreign investor, with nearly 35 Japanese business facilities employing approximately 1,000 North Dakotans and investing around $380 million.
For additional information, please contact the organizations listed above.
