Some American governors are calling for more corporate investment and tourism from Japan, the top direct investor in the United States, hoping it will help local economies in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"We have great expectations for Japanese companies," Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly said at an event in a Washington suburb earlier this month to promote foreign direct investment.

"For example, Panasonic is making the largest investment in the state's history, and we want to continue this trend," Kelly told Kyodo News during the SelectUSA Investment Summit.