JETRO Austrade Gateway to Asia Seminar - Melbourne & Sydney

Gateway to Asia - Fukuoka, Japan

Some of Japan's biggest and most powerful companies operate in regional Japan, outside of Tokyo and Osaka. Austrade and JETRO invite you to attend this seminar to gain an understanding of opportunities for Australian business to work collaboratively with companies in regional Japan - namely Fukuoka in Kyushu, southern Japan.

Kyushu is a hub of innovation. The region's USD435 billion economy makes up Japan's fourth largest economic centre, representing about 10 percent of national GDP - comparable in size to the Netherlands. This region is traditionally known as Japan's gateway to Asia and enjoys strong historical, cultural and trade ties with South Korea, Taiwan and China. The island is home to elite research universities and is a leader in biotechnology R & D, especially in the development of anti-cancer vaccines.

The Governor of Fukuoka, Wataru Aso, is leading a delegation of corporate and government representatives to discuss opportunities for collaboration with Australian business and institutions in the biotechnology and clean energy sectors.

Event Details

Melbourne Seminar

Date: Wednesday, February 10th, 2pm - 5pm (Registration from 1:30pm)
Location: Investment Centre of Victoria, Level 46, 55 Collins Street, Melbourne (TBC).

Sydney Seminar

Date: Thursday, February 11th, 1pm - 4pm (Registration from 12:00pm including drinks and refreshments)
Location: NSW Trade and Investment Centre, Level 47, MLC Centre, Martin Place, Sydney (TBC).

Who should attend this event?

Australian biotechnology and energy businesses keen to grow their strategic business partnerships in Japan and Asia, as well as companies looking to expand their operations in Japan in other sectors.

Main Seminar

Wataru Aso - Governor of Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan, and President of National Governors' Association
Implementing the "Fukuoka New Deal", Wataru Aso, has developed a stimulus package consisting of 16 industrial policies to address long-term structural problems such as an aging society, labour immobility, fuel inefficiencies and environmental degradation. Listen to Wataru Aso speak about the "Fukuoka New Deal" and local venture company breakthroughs in the world of biotechnology and clean energy.

Terrie Lloyd - Japan-based technology entrepreneur and CEO of Japan Inc.
A dual national of Australian and New Zealand, Terrie Lloyd has established over 17 companies of his own in Japan and many others for his clients. Japan Inc., LINC Media and his other companies provide IT, HR, accounting, corporate governance, marketing and management support for foreign companies entering Japan. Listen to practical strategies from Terrie Lloyd for making money and setting up businesses in Japan.

Participants are also invited to send Austrade an expression of interest for a one-on-one consultation with Terrie Lloyd during his visits to Melbourne and Sydney.

Biotechnology sub-session

Professor Ito - Faculty of Medicine, Kurume University
One of the key government-academia-industry R & D initiatives underway in Fukuoka Prefecture is the "Fukuoka Bio Valley Project", which aims to create and attract new industries with center-of-excellence in biotechnology. Central to this project is the production of a peptide-based anti-cancer vaccine which was developed by Professor Ito of Kurume University.

There will also be presentations from the biotech group and biotechnology industry leaders from Kyushu, followed by business talks and networking.

Clean energy sub-session

Professor Mochida - Kyushu University
Professor Mochida is engaged in research and development of technologies to liquify and gasify low-grade coal and lignite and to manufacture hydrogen and other useful gases at lower temperatures and with higher efficiency, while reducing carbon dioxide emissions.

This will be followed by presentations from clean energy companies from Kyushu who are leaders in their industry.

Registration and More Information

Registration is free through Austrade. Numbers are strictly limited.

Click here for Melbourne seminar registration

Click here for Sydney seminar registration