[Event Report] Building Global Businesses at JETRO's Networking Event

Ideally positioned as a bridge between Japan and the world, JETRO creates growth opportunities for businesses by leveraging its diverse and influential network and harnessing its strategic expertise.

One such opportunity is the JETRO Invest Japan Networking Event, held on February 20, bringing together more than 200 foreign-affiliated and Japanese company representatives, domestic innovation ecosystem stakeholders, and key players from foreign embassies, institutions, and economic organizations in Japan.

In his opening remarks, Norihiko Ishiguro, Chairman and CEO of JETRO, underscored their commitment to fostering innovation in Japan. "We recognize that what leads to the creation of innovation is attracting excellent companies to do business in Japan as well as inter-company collaboration in Japan and abroad and new technologies and business models owned by startups and other entities."

At a panel discussion on the changes in the business environment and open innovation in Japan, Yuki Shirato, a panelist and the Managing Director of Techstars Tokyo, emphasized that Japan is a treasure trove of untapped potential.

After the panel discussion, networking kicked into high gear with companies, investors and industry leaders enthusiastically building connections.

James Soback, Japan Interim Representative Director of ChopValue, an innovative chopstick recycling company, said that the breadth of JETRO's technical and strategic expertise was invaluable to their success in Japan:

"JETRO advise us very quickly on key steps we need to take to make sure we're entering at the right level, meeting the right people, and not making mistakes that many people could easily make on their own."

Hideo Yamashita, Managing Director of GBS K.K., a Japanese subsidiary of the Apogee power suit maker German Bionic, said JETRO is key in helping GBS break into new segments in Japan and increase their customer base:

"JETRO supports us with introductions and connections to different customers here in Japan. Now we have a booth at this Invest Japan event. It's a great opportunity for us."

Yumiko Namiki, Head of DMZ Japan, a university-affiliated startup incubator, said that quality of JETRO's network and services helped DMZ grow faster and more efficiently:

"We saw huge potential in the local startup ecosystem and by facilitating our visits to regional ecosystem booths here, JETRO helped us make more connections faster than we could on our own. We just incorporated in Japan, so JETRO support is tremendous. We wouldn't have been able to incorporate in Japan without it, for sure."

With a diverse and influential network, deep technical expertise, and decades of experience developing business strategy in Japan, JETRO can help you find the right people and make the right moves to grow your business in Japan.