A video recorded by Dolly Parton days before her death was shown to hundreds of Japanese political and business leaders gathered in downtown Nashville for the Southeast U.S.-Japan Annual Joint Meeting, WSMV reported.
A Parting Message in Downtown Nashville
The nearly two-minute video featured the late country music star welcoming international attendees and celebrating the half-century economic and cultural alliance between the region and Japan. Parton recorded the message roughly a week and a half before her death, granting permission for it to be broadcast following her passing.
The screening inside the downtown JW Marriott drew an immediate and emotional response from the audience. Many guests asked meeting organizers to replay the footage.
It was really fun to see our Japanese guests’ eyes light up when Dolly came on with a message about this meeting, which she taped about a week and a half before she passed away.
— Former Governor Bill Haslam
Former Governor Bill Haslam co-chaired the two-day event, which alternates annually between a Southern U.S. state and Tokyo. Tennessee Governor Bill Lee joined former Governors Haslam, Lamar Alexander, and Phil Bredesen at the gathering, alongside multiple U.S. lawmakers and Japanese Consuls-General. WSMV anchor Tracy Kornet emceed the sessions.
Five Decades of Economic Ties
The meeting marked a major milestone for the Southeast U.S.-Japan Association, which was established in 1976 to foster trade, investment, and understanding and friendship. Member states including Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee are celebrating 50 years of formal partnership with Japan.
Japan currently stands as Tennessee’s largest foreign investor. More than 200 Japanese companies operate across the state, providing jobs for over 60,000 residents through prominent corporate fixtures like Bridgestone, Nissan, Mitsubishi, and Kewpie Mayonnaise.
