First and foremost, the authors wish to express their sincere gratitude to the several persons in the US, former or present seniors in the ISPE global organization, and of course the host plants themselves, without whom the 2016 plant tour could not have been materialized. We are deeply grateful for the consideration extended to the Japan Affiliate.
Twenty-one professionals from the ISPE Japan Affiliate participated in its 13–16 September 2016 plant tour in the eastern United States, including Executive Director Akihiro Matsuki and Adjunct Director Michael J. Lucey, who had led the Organizing Committee made up of Affiliate board members. As in previous years, the mission was well balanced, with seven members from pharmaceutical companies, 10 from engineering/construction companies and four from equipment manufacturers.