JETRO Invest Japan Networking Event

April 2016

On April 12, 2016, JETRO held the first JETRO Invest Japan Networking Event, inviting foreign-affiliated companies located in Japan. The event received many participants: 190 people from international firms and 79 people from foreign embassies in Japan, foreign governmental organizations, Japanese government ministries and agencies as well as local governments. This event was the first attempt to hold a networking opportunity for the foreign-affiliated companies which have already established a presence and are trying to expand in Japan. The event also served for these companies as an opportunity to deepen their understanding of the FDI (foreign direct investment) promotion projects conducted by the Japanese government and JETRO.

JETRO’s Chairman, Hiroyuki Ishige, gave welcoming remarks on behalf of the organizer and said that JETRO had set up the Foreign Affiliate Support Division to bolster JETRO’s capacity to deliver specialized support to foreign-affiliated companies located in Japan. He also touched upon the results of surveys conducted by JETRO and a report by The European Business Council in Japan, which made reference to the “golden opportunity” available in Japan in 2016. Chairman Ishige made a direct appeal to international affiliates, saying “Now is the time to expand business in Japan.”

Guest speakers from the Japan side, State Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, Junji Suzuki and Parliamentary Vice - Minister of Cabinet Office, Hirohisa Takagi, shed light on the positive outcome of the Japanese government’s efforts to promote FDI into Japan, citing a new subsidy program to invite R&D facilities of global companies and the government’s decision to reform corporate tax as a part of Abenomics.

Two speakers from international companies delivered messages. Chairman and Representative in Japan of Aflac Japan, Charles D. Lake II, said, “The Japanese business environment has changed a lot.” And President and CEO of Philips Electronics Japan, Danny Risberg, said, “We have a huge opportunity in front of us. If we invest more in Japan, our business will expand.”

In the networking session, participants actively exchanged information. Local governments from across Japan showed PR videos on the screen set up in the venue and distributed handouts in order to convey the attractiveness of their respective regions as destinations of investment. Participants had the following comments: “Thanks to this event, we were able to introduce our company to potential partners normally out of our reach.” “We recognized afresh JETRO’s prowess at building a broad network.” “The Japanese government’s commitment in promoting FDI was well on display.”