This year marks the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II. It also marks the recovery and rise of a peaceful Japan as America's strong ally, a linchpin of our security in the Asia-Pacific region--and a welcome investor in the state of Arkansas.
Japan's prime minister, Shinzo Abe, will no doubt speak to trade and investment between our two countries when he addresses a joint session of Congress soon, and Arkansas' congressional delegation may recall, as I do, how the state has grown and benefited since the end of World War II.
The rhythm of the blacksmith's hammer pounding shape to a mule shoe was soon replaced by an industrial clang. (One of my favorite places to visit as a child was the stable near my home in Osceola where mules and horses were shoed.)
After World War II ended, the big mules, used by farmers to produce cotton, were replaced by tractors as the farm population moved away in search of higher-paying factory jobs. The postwar out-migration threatened the survival of the small-town "caring culture" and the economic survival of my hometown was directly at stake.
During the 1950s, state and local initiatives began to attract industry to bring jobs to repair the losses suffered in the farm economy, and mule shoes were replaced by manufacturing.
Small towns in Arkansas have been successful in attracting industry and jobs from countries like Japan because, among other assets, investors were impressed by a strong work ethic and loyalty to employers. In an Arkansas small town, people know one another and are concerned with their fellow citizens' well-being. Most everyone makes an effort to be helpful to their neighbors and to serve the community.
The spirit of participation and loyalty creates a bond among citizens in small towns that is family friendly, but requires a supporting economy.
During a congressional visit to Tokyo in 1975, I discovered a continuing enthusiasm among the Japanese to partner with the United States, including Arkansas. Japan knows the quality work ethic that attracts investment. As chairman of the House Export Task Force and member of the President's Export Council (1975-1980), I was eager to support efforts by the Arkansas state agencies and municipal initiatives to create jobs.
Japanese parliamentarians regularly visited my congressional office in Washington, and Congress enacted the Block Grant Program to assist the states. In 1985, the Arkansas Economic Development Commission established a representative office in Japan. The U.S. Department of Commerce established the Select USA program to further assist.
These efforts produced extraordinary success.
Today about 31,000 workers in Arkansas are employed by foreign-owned firms, demonstrating what can be accomplished when government policies promote cooperation among local, state and federal programs with private industry.
As a result of such efforts, Japanese-sponsored jobs were created and now play a significant role in the Arkansas economy. There are 16 Japanese companies with 19 locations in Arkansas employing 5,100 workers, according to the Economic Development Commission.
Our trade policies now need to be updated in order to continue the success we enjoy. The Trans-Pacific Partnership trade bill now being debated in Congress would open the Asia-Pacific region to increased international trade among 12 nations and deserves our support.
The progress made during the past years to create jobs in Arkansas and America shows what can be accomplished with cooperation and solid public policy. Also, a new international-trade emphasis will give needed balance to the military and defense issues that now so dominate our interests in the Asia-Pacific region.
Arkansas and the nation will benefit.
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William V. "Bill" Alexander Jr. represented Arkansas in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1969 to 1993, rising to the leadership post of deputy chief majority whip.
Editorial on 04/24/2015