When a new factory opened its doors in Macon, Georgia, in 1974, few could have predicted it would spark a half-century of partnership reaching across the Pacific. YKK’s arrival brought more than manufacturing jobs; it carried with it a tradition of skilled craftsmanship and a deep respect for people and place that would help shape Macon-Bibb for generations.
The Heart of Friendship sculpture, a gift from YKK Corporation, was dedicated at the Macon Chamber of Commerce in 1977 as a symbol of the lasting bond between Macon and Japan.
That same year, local leaders began building relationships with YKK’s hometown of Kurobe, Japan, connections rooted not only in business but in mutual understanding. Three years later, in 1977, those relationships became official when Macon and Kurobe became sister cities. The partnership has since grown into a living bridge between two communities defined by hard work and a deep sense of hospitality and shared purpose.
A Shared Culture of Care
Over the decades, that connection has extended far beyond industry. For more than twenty years, a hospital exchange program between Atrium Health Navicent and Kurobe City Hospital has given medical professionals the opportunity to learn side by side, sharing both expertise and empathy in their work. The exchange continues to show how collaboration and compassion can bridge distance and language, strengthening the bond between our communities.
That same spirit of connection reaches into the next generation as well. Each year, Japanese high school students from Kurobe travel to Macon-Bibb, staying with local families, attending classes, and building friendships that last long after they return home. These visits pass on the same sense of curiosity and goodwill that began decades ago, reminding us that progress is built not just through industry, but through understanding.
MBCIA Executive Director Stephen Adams, his wife Edna, and son Jackson enjoyed the moments they spent with Japanese Exchange Student “Mahi” from Kurobe, Japan.
Shared Values, Shared Growth
Southern and Japanese cultures have long found common ground. Both take pride in their craft. Both honor guests with hospitality. Both understand that progress comes not from quick deals but from commitments kept over time.
That is why companies like Nichiha, which established its Macon operations in 2006, and YKK AP, which expanded with a new facility in 2024, continue to be part of Macon-Bibb’s industrial landscape. Together, they embody a legacy of partnership that honors the past while opening doors to the next generation of growth.
”Our partnerships with Japan are proof that economic development is a relationship business. When we nurture those relationships, opportunity grows on both sides.
Robby FountainChairman, Macon-Bibb County Industrial Authority
Continuing the Legacy
In October, a delegation from Macon-Bibb traveled to Japan, visiting Kurobe and attending the annual Southeast U.S./Japan (SEUS/Japan) Conference in Tokyo. The SEUS/Japan Conference, now in its 47th year, brings together leaders from across the Southeast and Japan to build partnerships that drive both economic and cultural exchange.
The delegation included MBCIA Executive Director Stephen Adams, Chairman of the Board Robby Fountain, Board Member and Macon-Bibb County Mayor Lester Miller, Board Member Ember Bishop Bentley, County Manager Dr. Keith Moffett, and Greater Macon Chamber President and CEO Jessica Walden. Together, they represented a united community committed to strengthening international ties.
”The connection between Macon-Bibb and Kurobe is built on mutual respect and a shared vision for the future. This visit allowed us to strengthen those personal relationships and set the foundation for the next generation of cultural and economic partnerships.
Lester MillerMayor of Macon-Bibb County
While in Japan, the group met with YKK Corporation leadership, toured company headquarters, and visited with Kurobe city officials, including Mayor Yoshikazu Takekuma and City Council Chair Yuichi Nakamura, to reaffirm the bond first established nearly five decades ago.
”We are deeply honored to welcome the Macon-Bibb County delegation to YKK’s headquarters. This visit reflects the strong and enduring partnership between YKK and the Macon community—a relationship built on mutual trust, shared values, and a commitment to growth. Macon has been an integral part of YKK’s journey in the United States for the past five decades, serving as a cornerstone for our manufacturing excellence and innovation. We look forward to continuing this collaboration and contributing to the prosperity of the region for many years to come.
Koichi MatsushimaPresident of YKK Corporation
Governor Kemp and members of the Macon Delegation during their visit to YKK headquarters in Japan.
Looking Forward
Competition across the Southeast is strong, and Georgia continues to lead the way in attracting global investment, earning recognition as the number one state for business for 12 consecutive years. Trips like this help Macon-Bibb contribute to that statewide momentum while reinforcing the region’s own readiness for future opportunity. For Macon-Bibb, maintaining that connection to Japan means celebrating a shared history while looking ahead to the possibilities still to come.
The Macon-Bibb delegation also joined state leaders from Georgia, whose presence underscored the importance of Japan as one of the state’s most significant international partners. Working together at the local and state levels strengthens the message that Georgia, and Macon-Bibb within it, remain reliable places to invest and grow.
As the MBCIA continues to foster these global relationships, one truth remains constant: when people invest in one another, progress follows.
Half a century after YKK first came to town, the bridge between Macon-Bibb and Japan still holds firm, strengthened by shared purpose and a commitment to keep building what began generations ago.
