Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue addressed about 600 delegates during the opening ceremonies of the SEUS-Japan Conference on Monday.

The SEUS-Japan Conference is an annual meeting of representatives and top business leaders of eight southeastern states and Japan.

Former Georgia Governor George Busbee established the conference in 1975 to promote trade, investment, tourism, education, culture, and friendship between the states and Japan.

Gov. Perdue used the Yoshino cherry tree, a hallmark of the city of Macon, as an illustration of the partnership between Georgia and Japan, by calling the trees "a fitting symbol of the connections and partnerships."

Gov. Perdue noted that Georgia has attracted 341 Japanese companies, which employ more than 30,000 people.

Each year, The Governor George Busbee Award is presented. This year, Gov. Perdue presented the award to Yumiko Nakazono, the managing director of the Georgia Department of Economic Development.

The SEUS-Japan Conference rotates locations annually between Japan and one of the participating states. Georgia last hosted the event in 2004. Other governors attending this year's conference are Governor Bob Riley of Alabama, and Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen.

This is Gov. Perdue's third visit to Japan since taking office in 2003. His delegation will travel to Korea on October 19 to call on companies, including several Kia suppliers.