"In this day and time, I think it makes sense," Tribble said. "It could give us a head's up on some other communities in Kentucky that are recruiting these companies."

The Hopkinsville–Christian County Economic Development Council is paying for the trip and will send two of its staff members, Mike Baker and Kim Schippers, and EDC chairman Don Henderson on the excursion.

Although the EDC is funded in part by the city and county, no expenses for the trip will come directly from the city and county budgets, Tribble said.

The judge–executive said he agreed to travel with the group after he was assured there would be no cost to the county.

EDC officials were not available for comment this morning and the cost of the trip was not known.

There are two purposes for the trip, according to Liebe. First, local officials want to call on the corporate representatives of companies that already do business in Hopkinsville. Those include Copar, Douglas Autotech, Meritor, Amfine Chemical and Sun Chemical.

The five industrial plants in Hopkinsville with ties to Japan employ about 800 people, Tribble noted.

"It gives us a tremendous opportunity to thank them for their investment in Hopkinsville and Christian County," the mayor said.

"We need to go and thank them," he said. "They've made all of the trips over here to us. I think this had been due for some time."

In addition to shoring up relations with existing industries, Liebe said, the local group also will make contact with other companies in hopes of establishing ties that might eventually bring more industries to Hopkinsville.

Liebe said the group will tour several plants and meet with officials at the Kentucky Economic Development Cabinet office in Tokyo.