JETRO Events and Programs

German-Japanese Economic Symposium 2009

On December 8th, 2009, JETRO and Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) hosted the "German-Japanese Economic Symposium 2009" in Munich, Germany. This was the 4th symposium held in Germany, after events in 2003 (Munich), 2005 (Berlin) and 2007 (Düsseldorf)

The event offered an opportunity to reflect on the economic relations between Japan and Germany, which will celebrate 150 years of official trade ties in 2011, and examine how they can be expanded further, particularly in the environmental sector.

Examples of environmental technologies from both countries and areas for future Japan-Germany collaboration in this area were discussed, and representatives from Japanese and German companies operating successfully in each other's markets shared their experience and methods for success.

Key points arising from the speeches and panel discussions included:

  1. While Japan and Germany have similar economic circumstances and common challenges, there is still considerable room for deepening bilateral exchange in a variety of fields, such as trade, investment and academia.
  2. Japan and Germany are both recognized as global leaders in environmental technology fields. And while the two remain healthy rivals in the global market, they can reach the absolute forefront of the industry by combining their strengths through bilateral collaboration.
  3. High quality is a minimum requirement in the Japan market, which means companies that succeed here have a strong chance at cracking other global markets. In addition, Japan offers an excellent investment environment in terms of human resources, level of technology and infrastructure.

Information desks were set up in the event foyer to provide information on business environments and opportunities in regions of both countries.

Outline

Date and Time December 8 (Tue), 2009, Symposium: 13:00 - 16:45, Networking reception: 16:45 -
Venue Hilton Munich City Hotel , Rosenheimer Strasse 15, 81667 Munich, Germany
Theme Possibilities of German-Japanese Cooperation in the Environmental Sector: An Outlook to the Next 150 Years
Organizers JETRO, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan
Cooperating bodies Federal Ministry of Economy and Technology (BMWi), Federation of German Industries (BDI), Bavarian State Ministry for Economic Affairs, Infrastructure, Transport and Technology, Munich and Upper-Bavaria Chamber of Industry and Commerce, Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Düsseldorf, The German-Japanese Industrial Cooperation Committee (DJW)
Program

Opening remarks

  • Hajime Kitaoka, Chief Senior Economist, Invest Japan Department, JETRO

Greetings from Japanese and German sides

  • H. E. Dr. Takahiro Shinyo, Ambassador of Japan to the Federal Republic of Germany
  • Dr. Thies Claussen, Head of Department of Foreign Trade, Foreign Direct Investment and Location Marketing, Bavarian Ministry for Economic Affairs, Infrastructure, Transport and Technology

Speech by organizer

  • Hirofumi Katase, Deputy Director-General, Trade and Economic Cooperation Bureau, METI

Introduction analysis

  • Prof. Franz Waldenberger, Ludwig-Maximilians-University

Keynote speeches
Representatives from Japanese and German companies shared their experiences and views regarding technological collaborations between the two countries in the environmental sector

  • Yasuo Fujitani, Chief Project Risk Officer (CRO), Hitachi Power Europe GmbH
  • Stefan Stocker, Senior Vice President, Advisor to the Board of Management, Robert Bosch GmbH

Presentations and panel discussions
Part 1: Environmental Technology in Japan and Germany: Current State and New Ways of Cooperation

  • Yasuo Fujitani, Chief Project Risk Office (CRO), Hitachi Power Europe GmbH
  • Yasuyuki Fujita, Manager, Sales and Proposal Department, KAB Takuma GmbH
  • Dirk Nachtigal, CFO, BASF Venture Capital GmbH
  • Dr. Ulrich Kohaupt, New Business/Marketing, Steinert Elektromagnetbau GmbH

Moderator: Wilhelm F. Meemken, JETRO Investment Advisor; Managing Director, ECOS Japan Consult GmbH

Part 2: Successful Business Models in Japan and Germany – Success Stories

  • Nobuhiko Matsuda, Department Manager, Sales and Marketing Planning, Daikin Europe N.V.
  • Tsutomu Arasaki, Sales Manager, Machinery Division, Marubeni Europe Plc Duesseldorf Branch
  • Dr. Thorsten Schmidt, Member of the Executive Board for sales and services, GILDEMEISTER Aktiengesellschaft
  • Bruno Geiger, Managing Director, Asia/Pacific, KUKA Roboter GmbH
  • Dr. Erk Thorsten Heyen, Vice President, Sales, Marketing and Finance, Wacker Polysilicon, Wacker Chemie AG

Moderator: Dr. Ruprecht Vondran, Chairman, German-Japanese Industrial Cooperation Committee (DJW)
An networking reception was held following the speeches and panel discussions.

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