International friendships are being formed in Kentucky this week, as the National Association of Japan American Societies is holding its yearly conference in Lexington.

Founded in 1979, the group has grown to include 41 member societies throughout the country and works to strengthen ties between the U.S. and Japan.

We are having the second of a three day national network conference, which is bringing together now 41 Independ ENT nonprofit societies, which are all united by one thing, which is a passion for enjoying experiencing the relationship between Japan and the United States.

We come together just once a year, and today's the day we focus on internal best practices in management and how to strengthen this network.

I think over the past few decades, our society has grown substantially, not only because of the businesses we have here in Kentucky.

We have a wide array of Japanese businesses, but also just the nature of the internet.

We're not just Kentuckians.

We are Kentuckians in a world surrounded by people that we can learn and grow from.

And I think that's very important to teach people in our state, young people who will grow up and become these ambassadors, these, proponents of Kentucky culture, but also working with others to bring back other culture and teach in schools in their workplace, you know, even amongst their friends and family.

This is is Kentucky's specific opportunity to put its own branding on that and get some attention for what it's been doing as as a contributor to the U.S. Japan relationship, that that is a very important thing to be doing these days when there's actually a lot of strain on the US-Japan relationship, at the national level.

Kentucky is a part of the country where there are many important touch points, beginning with Suntory and Toyoda and Masak in the scores of Japanese investors and U.S. firms, which, invests in trade.

With Japan through our cultural ties, that are very vigorous to recognize the relationship and to celebrate some important ties that this area has with Japan.

Are the are the big takeaways for us, and promote this identity that, you know, we are Kentuckians, but we're Kentuckians who want to build these relationships with others and grow as both society, as a culture, as an economy, in more ways than we can even probably fathom at the moment.

And at a time where things are quite contentious, I think it's even more important to focus on building these relationships and fostering this friendship, this cooperation, this communication, and doing all we can to keep that going and to keep growing over time.

With us today, State Senator Matt Nunn and State Representative Vanessa Grassle announced a new caucus among the Kentucky General Assembly.

The Kentucky Japan Caucus will work to further enhance trade and economic relations between the Commonwealth and Japan.