Consul General of Japan Judges Ribs at Defiance, Ohio Ribfest

Consul General Shindo, Defiance Mayor McCann, and Consul General Shindo's wife, Seiko getting ready to eat ribs at Defiance's Annual Rib Fest

In 2022, Mayor Mike McCann became fast friends with Consul General Shindo at an annual Mayor Association Meeting. From there, Mayor McCann invited the Shindo's to Defiance for a day of festivities that included, a tour of the City and its up and coming areas primed for economic development growth.

Defiance County Economic Development Executive Director, Erika Willitzer was invited by the Mayor and spent the day learning about the Shindo's and Japan. "The Consul General and his wife, Seiko kept telling us how everything was so green from a landscape perspective. Having lived in this area almost my entire life, it's something we take for granted," said Willitzer.

I'll cherish that day, as the Shindo's gifted me a Japanese Decorative Plate, that I proudly display in my office. It represents how we might come from different parts of the world, but truly we all have very similar goals by helping one another and creating prosperity.

Shortly, after the Shindo's visited Defiance, it was announced that TPAM (Topia America) would expand their operations into Defiance. TPAM is a auto-prototyping firm from Japan, and they are now located at 2060 E. Second Street, currently owned by the Hornish Family.

Shindo serves as the Consul General in Detroit, and he represents deep Japanese connections in Michigan and Ohio. There are approximately 500 Japanese offices now operating in each of these two states, making significant contributions to their local economies.

According to the Consul General's bio from his website, This region is also home to about 14,000 Japanese residents in Michigan and another 10,000 in Ohio.

State Bank's Shawn Mack & Consul General Shindo Judging Ribs at Defiance Ribfest 2024

A number of local governments in Japan have sister-city relationships and active exchanges with local communities in Michigan and Ohio. Such exchanges also contribute to friendly relations between the U.S. and Japan, at a grassroots level - hence why Consul General Shindo agreed to be a judge at Defiance's Annual Ribfest, put on by the Defiance Main Street & Visitors Bureau.

Sometimes, you might think Ribfest is all about eating & good music, but it's so much more. It's about meeting new people, reconnecting, and building on relationships locally, and EVEN internationally. We thank the Consul General and his wife, Seiko for making the trip to Defiance, Ohio. We hope you left with a full stomach and heart.

Also, thanks to the Defiance Main Street and Visitors Bureau and the City of Defiance for making Ribfest and our Japan relationship blossom.

All the Judges: