The Japan-U.S. Southeast Association was established in December 1975 to promote trade, investment, understanding and friendship between Japan and member states of the southeast U.S., Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. In 2007, the State of Mississippi joined the Association.

The Japan-U.S. Southeast Association and the Southeast U.S./Japan Association have held 30 annual joint meetings since their establishment, with the venue altering between the southeast U.S. and Japan. The meetings provide opportunities to renew old friendships and forge new ones and attract over 500 participants from the U.S. member states and Japan, including representatives of private and public sectors and state governors of the member states.

The 31st annual joint meeting will be held in Tokyo, Japan, over three days from Sunday, October 14, to Tuesday, October 16, 2007, co-chaired by Mr. Hiromasa Yonekura, President of Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd., and Mr. Thomas F. Petway, III, Chairman of Zurich Insurance Services Inc.