The Detroit Institute of Arts is $1.6 million closer to its $100 million goal for its share of the Grand Bargain.
And it's also closer to having a new gallery to display its extensive collection of Japanese art.
Nineteen Japanese auto suppliers that operate in Michigan, and three Japanese trading companies, are donating a total $2,167,000.
75% of that money will go towards the DIA's Grand Bargain contribution, and 25% will help the DIA establish a new Japanese art gallery.
Sho Ueda is head of the Japan Business Society of Detroit.
He says the donation is a way for Japanese companies, many of which have done business in Michigan for forty years, give back to the local communities where their employees work and live.
He says the more than $500,000 contribution towards the new gallery will meet an artistic need.
"46,000 people came to see the DIA's Samarai (Beyond the Sword) exhibit last spring," says Ueda, "which means lots of Americans are very interested in Japanese art."
The DIA says it has raised nearly $87 million towards the $100 million fundraising goal for the Grand Bargain.
Earlier this year, Toyota announced a $1,000,000 contribution to the Detroit Grand Bargain.
Japanese companies participating in today's announcement:
DENSO International of America
AISIN Group
Toyoda Gosei
Toyota Tsusho
Hino Motors Manufacturing USA Inc and Hino Motors Sales USA Inc
JTEKT
Yazaki North America
Toyota Boshoku
N.S. International
Mitsuhishi Electric
Tram
Panasonic Automotive
Akebono Brake
American Mitsuba
Hitachi Metals
Hitotec
Sunitomo Corporation
Mitsui & Co.
Hitachi Automotive
Hayashi Telempu
ISUZU
