Arab News Japan

TOKYO: US Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel lauded Japan-US relations on Thursday after the news that Japanese electronics company Panasonic plans to build a huge battery plant for electric vehicles in Kansas.

In a statement, Rahm termed the deal a “new milestone today in US-Japan economic and technological leadership.”

He added: “Panasonic Energy’s plan to build one of the largest battery production sites for the next generation of electric vehicles in the great State of Kansas is a vote of confidence for the strength of the U.S. economy and the quality of the American workforce.”

“Panasonic’s investment plan of up to $4 billion will create as many as 4,000 American jobs and advance our efforts to protect the environment through innovation. When the United States and Japan work together, invest together, and build together, there is nothing we can’t achieve together.”

News outlet Nikkei reported that Panasonic’s second US plant will supply a new high-capacity battery for Tesla. The two companies already operate a large battery plant in Nevada.

Kansas reportedly beat out Oklahoma as a candidate for the new battery factory.