Pence plans first trade mission to Japan as governor

Gov. Mike Pence will lead a delegation of Indiana business leaders and elected officials to Japan next month on his first overseas trade mission as governor.

Pence's office announced Monday the delegations will leave Sept. 5 and return nine days later after visiting Tokyo, Nagoya and Tochigi Prefecture, Indiana's Japanese sister-state. During the trip he'll attend the Japan-U.S. Midwest Conference and meet with government and business leaders, including executives from Japanese companies with Indiana operations.

Indiana counts Japan as its largest Asian trading partner.

Pence's office says the cost of the trade mission is being covered entirely through private donations to the Indiana Economic Development Foundation. First lady Karen Pence and Secretary of Commerce Victor Smith also will travel.