JETRO Events and Programs

Japan Business Forum in Düsseldorf

On November 19th, 2007, JETRO, in cooperation with Japan's Ministry of Economy , Trade and Industry (METI), held the Japan Business Forum in Düsseldorf, Germany. The event, which included an Invest Japan Symposium, a Japan-Germany cluster forum and an exhibition spotlighting Japan's regions, was attended by a number of business people from Japan and Germany. This was the third Invest Japan Symposium held in Germany, after events in 2003 (Munich) and 2005 (Berlin).

Part 1: Invest Japan Symposium 2007

The symposium, inviting key business figures and government officials from Japan and Germany, included keynote speeches and panel discussions examining ways for strengthening cooperation on innovation and investment promotion between the two countries. Speakers and panelists, which also included representatives from German firms already in the Japan market and local Japanese government heads, highlighted opportunities in the Japan market and discussed keys for success. The attractive features of Japan as an investment destination—that the country is the place where advanced technologies are born, has the world's second largest market and is a gateway to business in Asia—were also highlighted.

Part 2: Japan-Germany Cluster Forum

Presentations outlined activities and efforts toward building closer ties of clusters in Japan and Germany, as well as the benefits to be expected from such joint collaborations. Special workshops were offered by industry (nanotechnology and life sciences), introducing participants to examples of latest R&D projects in these areas.

"Japan Brand Exhibition"

This was a special corner set-up for visitors displaying numerous traditional Japanese craft goods and other items promoted under the "Japan Brand" label. Posters highlighting several of Japan's tourist spots, including National Heritages sites, were on display as well. The exhibition, co-organized by ten local Japanese governments and related organizations, aimed to appeal the attractiveness of Japan's regions and stimulate investment in these areas.

Part 1: Invest Japan Symposium

Session 1: Potential for Japan-Germany cooperation on innovation and mutual promotion of investment environments

<Opening Remarks>
- Masashi Nakano , Senior Vice Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry
- Peter Hintze , Parliamentary Secretary of State, Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology, Germany
- Tadashi Izawa , President, JETRO
<Keynote Speeches>
- Hajime Sasaki , Chairman of the Board, NEC Corporation
- Dr. Dieter Ameling , Chairman VDEh and President of the German Steel Federation

<Panel Discussion and Q&A Session>
Moderator:
- Bernd Zieseme r, Editor-in-Chief, Handelsblatt
Panelists:
- Hajime Sasaki , Chairman of the Board, NEC Corporation
- Dr. Dieter Ameling , Chairman VDEh and President of the German Steel Federation
- Tadashi Izawa , President, JETRO

Session 2: Business opportunities in Japan and keys to success

<Presentation>
- Shigefumi Matsuzawa , Governor of Kanagawa Prefecture
- Akihiko Noro , Governor of Mie Prefecture, Board Member of Greater Nagoya Initiative Center

<Panel Discussion and Q&A Session>
Moderator:
- Bernd Ziesemer , Editor, Handelsblatt
Panelists:
- Shigefumi Matsuzawa , Governor of Kanagawa Prefecture
- Akihiko Noro , Governor of Mie Prefecture, Board Member of Greater Nagoya Initiative Center
- Günter Flassig , Chairman, ISD Software und Systeme GmbH
- Dr. Guiscard Glück , Senior Manager, Strategic Planning, BASF Coatings AG
- Manfred Hoffmann , Executive Director, German Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Japan
- Kazuaki Yuoka , Director-General, JETRO Düsseldorf

Part 2: Japan-Germany Cluster Forum

Session 1: Outlook for Japan-Germany cluster activities and their exchanges

<M.C.>
- Christoph Rabe , Columnist, Handelsblatt
<Opening Remarks>
- Dr. Jens Baganz , State Secretary, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy of the State of Nordrhein-Westfalen

<Panel Discussion and Q&A Session>

<Presentation>
- Dr. Lorenz Granrath , Representative, Fraunhofer Japan
- Yoshihiro Otsuji , Director-General, Chubu Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry

Session 2: Workshops by industry (Nano/Microtechnologies and Life sciences)

Nano/Microtechnologies
<Opening Remarks / M.C.>
- Dr. Uwe Kleinkes , Managing Director, IVAM - Microtechnology Network
<Presentation>
- Dr. Heiko Kopf , Director, MST. factory Dortmund GmbH
- Prof. Masayoshi Esashi , Director, Micro / Nanomachining Research and Education Center, Tohoku University
- Prof. Suzuki Tetsuya , Center for Science of Environment, Resource and Energy, Keio University, Project Leader,Kanagawa Academy of Science and Technology
<Panel Discussion and Q&A Session>

Life sciences
<Opening Remarks>
- Dr. Thomas Heck , Managing Director, Life Science Center Düsseldorf
<Presentation>
- Martin Kretschmer , Managing Director, BioRiver-Life Science im Rheinland e.V.
- Dr. Noboru Tomioka , Coordinator of the Chiba Industrial Advancement Center, Intellectual Property Coordinator of Kazusa DNA Research Institute
- Gregory Rall , Life Science Coordinator & Advisor, Foundation for Biomedical Research and Innovation - Kobe
<Panel Discussion and Q&A Session>

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