DALTON, Ga. — Japanese companies have $10.5 billion invested in Georgia, up from $4 billion in 2001, and employ 34,236 workers in the state, said Takashi Shinozuka, the consul general for Japan in Atlanta.

On Wednesday, Shinozuka met with Mayor Dennis Mock for almost an hour at Dalton City Hall, then spent several hours visiting two local facilities owned by Japanese firms.

“We have two major Japanese companies here in Dalton (Shiroki-GA and Kobayashi Healthcare) and many Japanese people living here, and I just want to thank the community for welcoming our companies and our people,” Shinozuka said.

Consul generals represent their countries abroad. They try to assist trade and foster good relations between their country and their host nation as well as help their country’s citizens living in their host nation.

Shinozuka, who requested the visit, said Dalton is a hub for international business and the recent announcement that Hanwha Q Cells Korea will be opening a solar module manufacturing plant in the Carbondale Business Park shows it will continue to be attractive to international firms.

“Dalton has many assets, including the (Appalachian Regional Port), which will open soon,” he said.

Shinozuka said the inland port, which is slated to open in August in northern Murray County, will make it easier for firms in northwest Georgia to receive raw materials and ship products overseas through the Port of Savannah. The port will connect to the Port of Savannah by the CSX railroad.

“Business is strong for Japan in Georgia and in Dalton,” said Mock. “We’d like to see that continue.”

Both Mock and Shinozuka described their meeting as productive.

“Japanese businesses obviously already like us here,” Mock said. “The more we can learn about what we can do to support their businesses and respect their culture, the greater our opportunity to grow their businesses and attract more businesses.”

Shinozuka said that when Japanese firms are looking to locate plants the three most important factors they look at are the quality of education, public safety and health care.

After their meeting, the two, along with City Administrator Jason Parker, toured Shiroki, which makes auto parts, and Kobayashi, which makes health care products.

At Shiroki, plant manager Ginger Self told them that the company has been in Dalton since 1995. Its 24-acre facility on Veterans Drive employs more than 400 people, she said, and makes parts such as door frames for Nissan and Toyota.