Invest Japan Symposium in two Taiwanese cities, Kaohsiung and Taichung

August 2016

The Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) and Interchange Association, Japan (IAJ) held the first large scale Invest Japan Symposium in two Taiwanese cities, Kaohsiung on August 1 and Taichung on August 2. Each event attracted more than 100 attendees from local companies and relevant organizations respectively. Yasuo Akahoshi, President of JETRO and the heads of Taiwanese companies which have a presence in Japan took the podium and disseminated a message to the attendees and beyond about the attractiveness of the Japanese market and the benefits of collaborating with Japanese companies.

Spreading appeal of Japanese market

Mr. Akahoshi delivered the keynote speech, stating “FDI stock increased 3.3 times in the past three years. I expect this trend will be sustained in coming years.” He also referred to the advantages of the investment environment that Japan offers and shared some examples of Taiwanese companies entering the Japanese market from major sectors such as manufacturing, finance and restaurants.

Two Taiwanese forerunners in FDI into Japan give presentations

Speakers from Fair Friend Ent. Group and Magnate Technology Co. Ltd. made case study presentations. Chu Chih-Yang, Chairman of the world leading manufacturing machinery company Fair Friend Ent. Group, shed light in his presentation on how important the alliance with a Japanese company was for his company, saying, “M&A with a Japanese company was quite essential for us to grow this big.” He stated that partnership between Japanese companies which have advantageous technologies and Taiwanese companies which have high productivity and connections with Chinese companies will broaden business opportunities into Asia and the rest of the world. The next presentation was by a JETRO client. Toshiaki Owaki, Deputy General Manager of the precision component manufacturer Magnate Technology, took the podium and explained, “Taiwanese companies are amicable to Japan and Taiwan provides many Japanese speaking human resources. Many Taiwanese companies also have their own outstanding strengths in specific areas that satisfy Japanese companies’ needs and that has become a big reason for Japanese companies to partner with those of Taiwan.” He also shared his experience of becoming a tenant of JETRO’s free IBSC office space.

Establishment of Taiwanese Company Investment Support Group

Chen Chin-Wen, a staff member of the Invest Japan Department within JETRO, introduced JETRO’s solid support system for Taiwanese companies looking to branch out in Japan.

Eight local Japanese governments introduce their regions’ strengths and support systems

At the end of the symposium, seven local Japanese governments and one government-related entity actively engaged in drawing Taiwanese companies introduced the advantages of their areas and their individual support systems for investors from Taiwan. Ikuo Kabashima, Governor of Kumamoto Prefecture, which was afflicted by the earthquake this April, appeared in a video message and extended his gratitude for the heartfelt support from the Taiwanese people, explaining Kumamoto’s progress towards complete restoration.
※Eight local governments …Chiba Prefecture, Tokyo Metropolitan Area, City of Nagoya, Kyoto Prefecture, Osaka Business and Investment Center (Osaka Prefecture, Osaka City and Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry), Fukuoka Prefecture, Fukuoka City, Kumamoto Prefecture.

Active exchange among participants from both countries

For the networking reception held after the symposium, JETRO set up a consultation booth to respond to individual inquiries. Each of the previously mentioned government organizations also set up a PR booth to publicize detailed information on incentives for businesses.

Outline of Invest Japan Symposium (Kaohsiung)
Date Monday, August 1, 2016 3:30pm - 7:00pm
Venue Grand Hi Lai Hotel
Organizers Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO)
Interchange Association, Japan (IAJ)
Co-organizers Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA)
Supporters Department of Investment Services, Ministry of Economic Affairs, 
Economic Development Bureau, Kaohsiung City
Kaohsiung Chamber of Industry
Attendees 107 persons (Taiwanese companies and organizations, media outlets  and more)
Program Outline
  • Greetings from the representative of the local government: Tseng Wen-Sheng, Director-general, Economic Development Bureau, Kaohsiung City Government
  • Keynote speech: Yasushi Akahoshi, President of JETRO
  • Presentation by Taiwanese company 1: Chu Chih-Yang, Chairman, Fair Friend Ent. Group
  • Presentation by Taiwanese company 2: Toshiaki Owaki, Deputy General Manager, Magnate Technology Co. Ltd.
  • On JETRO’s services for FDI into Japan: Chen Ching-Wen, staff member of JETRO
  • Video message from Kumamoto Prefecture
  • Presentations by local governments which set up PR booths for networking reception: Chiba Prefecture, Tokyo Metropolitan Area, City of Nagoya, Osaka Business and Investment Center (O-BIC), Kyoto Prefecture, Fukuoka Prefecture, Fukuoka City, Kumamoto Prefecture.
[ Networking reception ]
Outline of Invest Japan Symposium (Taichung)
Date Tuesday August 2, 2016  15:30pm - 19:00pm
Venue Windsor Hotel
Organizers Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), Interchange Association, Japan (IAJ)
Co-organizers Taichung City Government
Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA)
Supporters Department of Investment Services, Ministry of Economic Affairs
Taiwan Machine Tool & Accessory Builders' Association
Attendees 127 persons (Taiwanese companies and organizations, media outlets and more)
Program Outline
  • Greetings from the local city government : Zhang Guang-Yao, Deputy Mayors of Taichung City
  • Keynote speech: Yasushi Akahoshi, President of JETRO
  • Presentation by Taiwanese company 1: Chu Chih-Yang, Chairman Fair Friend Ent. Group
  • Presentation by Taiwanese company 2: Toshiaki Owaki, Deputy General Manager, Magnate Technology Co. Ltd.
  • On JETRO’s services for FDI into Japan: Chen Ching-Wen, staff member of JETRO
  • Show of a video message from Kumamoto Prefecture
  • Presentations by the local governments which set up PR booths for the networking reception : Chiba Prefectural Government, Tokyo Metropolitan Government, City of Nagoya Government, O-BIC (Osaka Business and Investment Center), Kyoto Prefectural Government, Fukuoka Prefectural Government, Fukuoka City Government, Kumamoto Prefectural Government.
[ Networking reception ]