[ST. PAUL, MN] – Governor Tim Walz today announced that Japan-based Takeda Pharmaceuticals has completed a $45 million investment project to increase production capacity and create new jobs at its facility in Brooklyn Park. This announcement comes as Governor Walz continues to promote Minnesota and expand economic partnerships during his business development mission to Japan this week.

“Since I’ve been Governor, we’ve increased the number of Japanese companies operating in Minnesota by nearly 50%,” said Governor Walz. “By enacting policies to make Minnesota the top state to operate a business and live, work, and raise a family, we’ve attracted investment and built a strong reputation for Minnesota business on the global stage. We’ll continue working with our partners in Japan and across the globe to strengthen these business ties and expand opportunities for Minnesotans.”

In 2019, Governor Walz led a delegation of business leaders and state officials on a visit to Japan to promote business and trade opportunities for Minnesota as part of a six-day trade mission to Asia. At the time, there were 35 Japanese companies operating in Minnesota. Since that trip, there has been a nearly 50% growth in Japanese companies operating in Minnesota with nearly 50 companies operating at more than 120 locations across the state.

Japan-based companies are continuing to make capital investments to expand their Minnesota businesses and create new jobs in the state. Polar Semiconductor, a semiconductor manufacturer in Bloomington jointly owned by Japan-based Sanken Electric, plans to invest $372 million to upgrade and double capacity at their plant. The project will create 73 jobs within two years and is supported by DEED through $4 million from the Minnesota Investment Fund and $800,000 from the Job Creation Fund.