Comments by the speakers: Invest Japan Symposium in London

Mr. Cahn was addressing the packed 'Invest Japan Symposium 2006' at the Institute of Directors in the heart of London.
"Japan offers foreign investors access to technology, partnership with some of the best businesses in the world, a collaborative environment, excellent infrastructure, highly qualified experienced staff and the potential for good profits."
Mr Andrew Cahn started his career in MAFF in 1973. He has held various posts in the Cabinet Office, FCO and the European Commission.

Dyson reached number four in the Japanese vacuum cleaner market in only two years.
"It is our third largest market, but our most profitable in the world by a streak. In three or four years it will be our most successful and important market."
"Japan is an unbelievably exciting market which is being driven by tremendous cultural change. It is fashionable, civilised, sensitive, has wonderful taste, great creativity and Japanese people are loyal and reliable consumers. It is a delightful country to do business in and if you don't do it you are either not up to it or you are mad!"
"Success in the Japanese market requires discipline, good marketing, product quality and reliability, and high manufacturing standards. These will put you in wonderful stead wherever else you are in the world."
Sir Richard Needham served in various capacities in parliament: in Northern Ireland where he was instrumental in transforming the area's economic base, and as Minister for Trade where he developed and implemented Britain's export strategy under Michael Heseltine.

AstraZeneca Japan has been engaged in joint ventures for many decades.
"We still benefit from some of the relationships we set up in the 1950s. You may not need them every day but sometimes, if you encounter issues, you can find real value from your partners."
"By developing the right products and investing in appropriate resources to bring them to Japanese customers, AstraZeneca has experienced strong double-digit sales and profit growth in Japan." Mr Graham Baker has worked for AstraZeneca for 11 years in a variety of finance and business development roles based in London, Sweden and Japan.
Prior to joining AstraZeneca, he qualified as a chartered accountant and chartered tax adviser at Arthur Andersen in London.

Virgin Atlantic Airline's economy seats are manufactured in Japan and Mr Ferry confirmed that Japanese manufacturers focus on delivering to a very high standard.
"Virgin Atlantic Airways has added elements of Japanese design into its club lounges in London and New York."
Mr Joe Ferry is Head of Design for Virgin Atlantic Airways and a patented inventor of their new Upper Class Suite.

Japan's phenomenal rate of innovation attracted Symbian, which provides the software that runs most of the world's high-end mobile telephones.
"It results in a big ecosystem of partners, which translates into more volume, so we are growing at 65% a year. Symbian does a significant amount of business in Japan and it is therefore one of our key markets."
Mr Andy Brannan joined Symbian in 2001 and has driven the successful campaign to secure handset designs and recruit new licensees to use Symbian OS.

"Because Japan has such a massive R&D base, Electrocomponents is able to take leading-edge Japanese products and sell them around the world."
"Japan is a very expensive market, so you have to take a long-term view and do it right."
Mr. Mason added that although Japanese consumers are hard to convince, they soon become the most loyal customers.
Joining in 1995 as Director of Business Development, Mr Ian Mason was responsible for the launch of RS Japan, EC's largest Greenfield launch, and establishing the e-commerce business.

"Japan has turned the corner from years of economic stagnation and a new dynamism has returned. Japan and the United Kingdom already have a long history of economic collaboration and both have a dynamic future as we refresh our collaborative ties."
Lord Marshall was appointed Chairman of Nomura International plc in October 2004 following his retirement as Chairman of British Airways. He is Chairman of Pirelli UK plc and Chairman of VisitBritain.

"It is a bigger and more mature market than China."
Mr Neil Stephens is a Business Development Director at BT Global Services. His main role is to originate, justify and execute transformational projects which extend the capabilities and performance of BT Global Services.