Because… Japan!
Tuesday, Sep 13, 2016 - Posted by Rich Miller
* From the Illinois Policy Institute’s news service…
Gov. Bruce Rauner said economic and political reforms will help the state capture as much investment from Japan as possible and, in turn, grow the state’s economy.
During the Midwest U.S.-Japan Association Conference in St. Louis on Monday, Japan Consulate General at Chicago Toshiyuki Iwado said his country’s businesses are ready to boost partnerships in the Midwest.
“The Midwest should market itself first as a region so that Japanese companies know that this is the place to be. The more the Midwest shines, the more individual states will benefit.”
That’s actually an insightful comment by Iwado. We’re a regional economy, particularly the Great Lakes states.
* And then…
Rauner listed said overly high workers’ compensation insurance costs and property taxes, along with labor regulations, need to be reformed. Rauner also said Japanese businesses want to see political reforms.
“What many would like to see is that we reform our political system in Illinois so that democracy is working for the people again,” Rauner said. “Many investors, many company owners, want to see that democracy and taxpayers have a voice.”
So, you’re telling us that Japanese business owners want term limits and remap reform?
Really?
- One hand //ing - Tuesday, Sep 13, 16 @ 9:49 am:
Guess that’s why the shirt I’m wearing was made in the beacon of liberal democracy known as Honduras.
- Juice - Tuesday, Sep 13, 16 @ 9:50 am:
The Government of Japan has basically been under one party rule (LDP) for every year save four since 1955. So I highly doubt that Japanese businesses would really find the Speaker’s longevity all that offensive.
But if the Governor thinks that’s the case, he must be right.
- Curious - Tuesday, Sep 13, 16 @ 9:50 am:
Busting out your election-season talking points in front of the press with the Japanese Consulate General is super awkward. Did Tillman recommend that strategy?
- Sir Reel - Tuesday, Sep 13, 16 @ 9:50 am:
He just can’t resist any opportunity to promote his agenda and badmouth the state.
Now that Japanese business has a negative view of the state, we will eagerly await their investment in Illinois.
Thanks Gov.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Sep 13, 16 @ 9:51 am:
===…Japanese business owners want term limits and remap reform?===
This would be so much easier for the phonies at the IPI, or Rauner, or the Raunerites had the ROI been “slightly” better than the actual measured 1.4% or just over $500 million for Illinois.
The Raunerite Agenda.
The “Tillman” types that trade off the money they get for the phoniness they peddle. The GOP GA hostages. The Raunerites IN the General Assembly, “happily held hostage”.
Those above “believe” the measured success is unmeasurable to make a point.
It’s like the PF Flyers that make you run faster, jump higher, stop quicker. Maybe. A little. Meh.
Autonomous Caucuses, please.
- L.A. - Tuesday, Sep 13, 16 @ 9:52 am:
and Mongolia. Mongolian business owners want term limits and remap reforms.
Bangladesh. Bangladesh business owners want term limits and remap reforms.
If only we reform our political system in Illinois, then business owners from Mongolia and Bangladesh would move their companies here too.
- Huh? - Tuesday, Sep 13, 16 @ 9:54 am:
If the Japanese were so eager to invest in Illinois, why did the Mitsubishi plant in Bloomington shut down?
- JS Mill - Tuesday, Sep 13, 16 @ 9:55 am:
Ummm, no. This is what the Japanese said as quoted by IPI
“The Midwest should market itself first as a region so that Japanese companies know that this is the place to be. The more the Midwest shines, the more individual states will benefit.”
Better marketing. They didn’t say anything about the turn around blah, blah, blah.
- Anon221 - Tuesday, Sep 13, 16 @ 9:56 am:
Once again, Rauner quotes without showing his work…
From the INN release-
“Many firms here from Japan and others would like to expand more in Illinois. Some, we’re going to convince to do it because they believe in our future, but others say ‘Governor, please show that you’re going to get reforms,’” Rauner said.
- Joe M - Tuesday, Sep 13, 16 @ 9:57 am:
Maybe, the Governor “has heard things” from the Japanese.
- Delimma - Tuesday, Sep 13, 16 @ 9:58 am:
Forget everything else… can you please, please act as a cheerleader for our state so that people WANT to come here? I’m tired of the non-stop bashing of this state.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Sep 13, 16 @ 10:04 am:
Did the governor do another “survey” of international trading partners?
Remember the last one? The one that supposedly found that “tolls” and “parking” were major impediments to foreign investment in Illinois?
FWIW, foreign investment in Chicago-area commercial real estate is at an all-time high; that’s capital seeking safe harbor.
Money talks, partisan sound bites disguised as “economics,” walks.
And worker comp costs and labor regulations didn’t dissuade Chinese investors from the inherent risks of breaking ground last week on a $1 billion, 98-story tower on East Wacker.
https://capitolfax.com/2015/05/05/rauner-asks-foreign-countries-for-biz-input/
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/realestate/20151214/cred02/151219941/foreign-investment-in-chicago-real-estate-hits-a-new-high
- LizPhairTax - Tuesday, Sep 13, 16 @ 10:04 am:
Put on your Carhartt kimono and start recruitin’
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Sep 13, 16 @ 10:08 am:
==Put on your Carhartt kimono and start recruitin’ ==
I love that Liz, cause if ANYONE owns a Carhart kimono it’s Brucie.
- Chicagonk - Tuesday, Sep 13, 16 @ 10:10 am:
@Huh They shut down because no one wanted to drive Mitsubishi vehicles.
- illini97 - Tuesday, Sep 13, 16 @ 10:11 am:
Any word from the UK or Germany? Do they believe they will invest in Illinois if more AFSCME employees go fair share?
What are the Governor’s thoughts on the resounding defeat of the Christian Democratic Union party in Mecklenburg-Vorpommen? Does he think it will significantly impact the degree to which Illinois businesses will invest in Southern Germany?
You’re the Governor. Promote the State, leave the Turnaround Agenda at home for a day.
- Magic carpet ride - Tuesday, Sep 13, 16 @ 10:12 am:
Isn’t this the reason we elected a business man to promote our state. The top politician of our state who ran on not being a politician can’t stop campaigning for his party in front of Japanese business men.
- Bluegrass Boy - Tuesday, Sep 13, 16 @ 10:12 am:
++ If the Japanese were so eager to invest in Illinois, why did the Mitsubishi plant in Bloomington shut down? ++
Mr. Rauner just told us why.
Japanese businesses are disappointed with our lack of political reforms.
Now that I know that I will vote for more Republicans.
- The Way I See It - Tuesday, Sep 13, 16 @ 10:14 am:
Japanese business owners and 1,000 tiny Illinois hamlets supporting the Turnaround Agenda shows the global appeal of the Governors bold vision of freedom! And prosperity!
- Bogey Golfer - Tuesday, Sep 13, 16 @ 10:15 am:
=If the Japanese were so eager to invest in Illinois, why did the Mitsubishi plant in Bloomington shut down?=
Maybe because in 2000, the plant produced 222,000 vehicles; in 2014 production fell to 69,000. Basic economics.
- Langhorne - Tuesday, Sep 13, 16 @ 10:16 am:
It is distressing, but at this point not surprising, to realize he thinks we believe him. And that he cant stop himself.
Still waiting on the dozens of businesses that secretly want to move here.
- Ghost - Tuesday, Sep 13, 16 @ 10:17 am:
Japanese companies will reduce management salaries before doing layoffs….. so the reform they want may not maych what rauner wants…. Akio Morita was always stunned by US companies, the lack of loyalty by upper managment; and upper managments large salaries and benefits without support for the workers.
- Admiral Ray Spruance - Tuesday, Sep 13, 16 @ 10:18 am:
Ahhh….the recreation of the “Greater Midwest Co-prosperity Sphere”…
- @MisterJayEm - Tuesday, Sep 13, 16 @ 10:19 am:
ブルースは社会的な議題を持っていません。
– MrJM
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Sep 13, 16 @ 10:19 am:
Mitsubishi itself explained why they left.
Not enough cars sold.
Rich did a Post on it.
Mitsubishi leaving had zero to do with Labor, Term Limits, Fair Maps, or anything the Turnaround Agenda, as a whole or in part, warns us needs to happen to attract or keep business.
- Skeptic - Tuesday, Sep 13, 16 @ 10:20 am:
Madigan and the Japanese business men he controls…
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Sep 13, 16 @ 10:21 am:
MrJM wins the day… again.
- Joe Bidenopolous - Tuesday, Sep 13, 16 @ 10:28 am:
If further evidence was needed that this governor is willing to sabotage the State’s economy in the singular pursuit of his personal agenda, I think we’ve found it.
- The Dude Abides - Tuesday, Sep 13, 16 @ 10:30 am:
I’m glad to hear that the Governor is concerned about Democracy and taxpayers having a voice. Is that why he has literally bought the GOP legislature so that they always vote how he wants them to, even if it’s not in the best interest of their own District?
- Honeybear - Tuesday, Sep 13, 16 @ 10:36 am:
“but others say”
No, I highly highly with the utmost certainty doubt any Japanese businessman would say “Governor, please show that you’re going to get reforms”.
Look, in Japan you can’t get someone to tell you where a newspaper stand is, when it is literally right outside the door. They don’t want to make a mistake or steer you wrong in some way. It’s a cultural thing. They would absolutely not say this to Rauner. That would be so inappropriate as to be horrifying to even think about just on the face of it. Second YOU WOULD NEVER EVER SAY THAT TO A CLEAR AUTHORITY FIGURE AS THE GOVERNOR OF ANOTHER STATE! My God I can’t even conceptualize a Japanese person even one who has lived here most of their lives saying that to a sitting Governor of Illinois. They might hint in the most tangential way so as to be polite and courteous, and allow face saving.
That’s how I know Rauner and IPI are lying
Perfidy
- Ahoy! - Tuesday, Sep 13, 16 @ 10:36 am:
–So, you’re telling us that Japanese business owners want term limits and remap reform?–
I don’t know but these people aren’t stupid to political issues and how the affect policy and business climate. I can tell you that mid-west business location decision makers would like to see political reforms because they are smart enough to know the effect on policy decisions. I can see where some Japanese decision makers or executives/consultants located in the US would be in favor of such reforms because our state has been such a wreck for so long.
What is for sure about these Japanese companies is that they do want what any business location decision maker wants, a good business climate (and yes that means WC & property tax reforms) as well as a stable fiscal climate. Illinois has neither one of those and we didn’t have either one of those before Rauner.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Sep 13, 16 @ 10:38 am:
“….but others say, ‘Governor, please, show that you’re going to get reforms,” Rauner said.–
Who believes that those conversations have actually taken place?
It’s a pattern with Rauner, the imaginary, self-serving conversation.
- Honeybear - Tuesday, Sep 13, 16 @ 10:38 am:
Look at how Iwada’s comment is designed to save face for Illinois. “But others say” is a lie by Rauner. Iwada’s statement is how the Japanese roll. “The nail that sticks up gets hammered down”
- A Jack - Tuesday, Sep 13, 16 @ 10:39 am:
Because we know the Japanese Emperor is term limited ……
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Sep 13, 16 @ 10:45 am:
For the record, the google will tell you that foreign investment in Chicago-area commercial real estate is at an all-time high.
Chinese investors broke ground last week on a $1 billion, 98-story tower on East Wacker. I imagine they are subject to state worker comp and labor regulations, but they’re ponying up the billion, anyway.
That’s a lot of foreign capital seeking safe harbor in the Death Spiral zone. They could be investing that cash anywhere in the world.
- Exit 59 - Tuesday, Sep 13, 16 @ 10:45 am:
MrJM…I see what you did there.
- Harry - Tuesday, Sep 13, 16 @ 10:46 am:
Raun’er goin’ to say what he’s goin’ to say and context has nothing to do with it.
- Michelle Flaherty - Tuesday, Sep 13, 16 @ 10:49 am:
Willy gets Mitsubishi zero into a comment.
I noticed.
Kudos.
It’s the little things that make life worthwhile.
- Whatever - Tuesday, Sep 13, 16 @ 10:52 am:
70 years ago, the Japanese balked at term-limiting the emperor.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Sep 13, 16 @ 10:53 am:
- Michelle Flaherty -
Was trying to capture the spirit of the Post.
Still chasing you and - @MisterJayEm - and failing miserably.
- AC - Tuesday, Sep 13, 16 @ 10:57 am:
Why limit your imagined conversations to individuals, legislators, villages or even countries?
I heard that the Vogons would have located the new hyperspace bypass in Illinois, if only the Illinois legislature would have reformed collective bargaining, and workers compensation.
Everyone should put a Babel fish in their ear and review MrJM’s comment.
- Simple Simon - Tuesday, Sep 13, 16 @ 10:57 am:
Another good Japanese proverb about management that the Gov should learn: If he works for you, you work for him.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Sep 13, 16 @ 10:58 am:
“Willy gets Mitsubishi zero into a comment.”
Wow, I love a sly pun, but that flew right under my radar! Thanks for calling it out!
- Dan Johnson - Tuesday, Sep 13, 16 @ 11:01 am:
It would be cool if Illinois took the lead in forging a Midwest economic agenda. We ought to be the policy leaders in getting past the tired border wars and developing a regional push for investment (with, not to mention, Midwest high speed trains connecting our far-flung cities and research centers!)
- Anon - Tuesday, Sep 13, 16 @ 11:07 am:
The IPI must have told BVR that Japanese business leaders don’t like corrupt AFSCME bosses and the corrupt status quo.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Sep 13, 16 @ 11:09 am:
===…property tax reforms===
Really?
“We won’t invest in Illinois without property tax reforms?”
I’m not reading anything that says something along those lines, except from a phony news service and a canned quote from the governor with no cite.
If there’s evidence in these Rauner discussions specific to property taxes, Rauner would say that. Specifically.
- HangingOn - Tuesday, Sep 13, 16 @ 11:13 am:
@MisterJayEm
At this moment I love you and hate you all at the same time. Thank heaven for translation on Google :p
- Whatever - Tuesday, Sep 13, 16 @ 11:14 am:
Oops - A Jack beat me to it.
- Admiral Ray Spruance - Tuesday, Sep 13, 16 @ 11:18 am:
Is BVR a member of the Yakusa?
- Archiesmom - Tuesday, Sep 13, 16 @ 11:28 am:
Our regulars are rocking today. They say it all.
- Blue dog dem - Tuesday, Sep 13, 16 @ 11:43 am:
Gov Rauner. Tell Japan to quit dumping their steel at below production costs and maybe we can put 2000 manufacturing jobs back in play. While your at it, get your buddies Barack and Hillary on board.
- walker - Tuesday, Sep 13, 16 @ 11:44 am:
Why Japanese business leaders heard Rauner say:
“We have problems in this state, that we have not fixed.”
- James Knell - Tuesday, Sep 13, 16 @ 12:01 pm:
“The same old broken record.”
“The CD keeps skipping.”
“The audio file is corrupt.”
I salute Admiral Ray Spruance. What a job he did at the Battle of Midway… That’s in Pacific, not at the end of the Orange Line. Also, the Co-prosperity Sphere is an art gallery in Bridgeport. I hope to check it out some time.
- Fred - Tuesday, Sep 13, 16 @ 12:23 pm:
===Japanese business owners want term limits and remap reform?===
Investors do need to see the state demonstrate some ability to address the budget and pension funding in a credible way.
It’s not like the current structure has worked brilliantly.
- Mama Retired - Tuesday, Sep 13, 16 @ 12:32 pm:
I have 3 questions:
Those owns these companies in Japan?
What type of business do they want to transplant to the Midwest?
How do they treat their work force?
- Mama Retired - Tuesday, Sep 13, 16 @ 12:37 pm:
The 4th question:
Would any or all of the Midwestern States profit from the Japanese company(s)?
- blue dog dem - Tuesday, Sep 13, 16 @ 12:48 pm:
Oops. I had an earlier post but it got lost. Ok. So I bashed the gov earlier. Now I must give him his atta boy. While trying to sell the old widget factory, we have reached out to international buyers. Not the only reason, but work comp causation is a HUGE deterrent.
- Steve Polite - Tuesday, Sep 13, 16 @ 12:50 pm:
I like to think MisterJayEm’s comment is so profound, it cannot be translated.
- 氏はMJM - Tuesday, Sep 13, 16 @ 1:21 pm:
Bruce does not have a social agenda .
- Honeybear - Tuesday, Sep 13, 16 @ 1:40 pm:
Mama Retired- Japanese companies are traditionally pretty good with employees. They work them hard but are fair. My spouse spent three summers in Japan studying Japanese management. The current “Lean” management that several state agencies are getting trained on originated in Japan. So yes, having Japanese companies here would be wonderful.
- Henry Francis - Tuesday, Sep 13, 16 @ 2:05 pm:
I think everyone is focusing on what the Guv said. That’s a mistake. His words stopped having meaning many months ago. If you have any questions about the respect he has for our Japanese guests, take a look at what he was wearing around his neck!
- Demoralized - Tuesday, Sep 13, 16 @ 2:22 pm:
==Many investors, many company owners, want to see that democracy and taxpayers have a voice.==
I’m pretty certain a lot of companies don’t give a flying leap about democracy. Just ask the CEO’s of the companies investing in places like China.
- Triple fat - Tuesday, Sep 13, 16 @ 3:01 pm:
You know Governor - it would be nice if you could be more proactive on these issues rather than waiting for Japanese businesses to come to you. Has anyone from your administration or the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity contacted Nissan? Especially since they have recently aquired controlling interest in Mitsubishi? Maybe… maybe… They might be interested in purchasing a state-of-the-art vehicle manufacturing facility located in Bloomington, IL!!! Just sayin
- Honeybear - Tuesday, Sep 13, 16 @ 3:03 pm:
Son of a nutcracker! You’re right he’s wearing a tie! He really is wearing a tie!
- Triple fat - Tuesday, Sep 13, 16 @ 3:13 pm:
Oops. I forgot to change a question mark to a period when editing my last post. Anywhoo! Maybe the Governor leads from behind in order to facilitate his lobbing of handgrenades at any opportunity for job growth.
- WSJ Paywall - Tuesday, Sep 13, 16 @ 3:15 pm:
The ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in Japan has basically been in power since 1955 which makes Rauner look even more clueless.
- Liberty - Tuesday, Sep 13, 16 @ 3:52 pm:
Rauner dusted off his VHS of Gung Ho.
- yinn - Tuesday, Sep 13, 16 @ 4:53 pm:
==What type of business do they want to transplant to the Midwest?==
Hopefully, more manufacturing like Nippon Sharyo does in Rochelle, Illinois. They build rail cars and so far (2015 CAFR) have created just about 400 jobs there since 2012, taking advantage of Rochelle’s intermodal railway shipping infrastructure.
Sharyo does get EDGE and ETIP incentives, but its initial pledged investment was $50 million.
- VanillaMan - Tuesday, Sep 13, 16 @ 8:00 pm:
Rauner is a one-note Nellie whose note is flat, off-key and so 2014.