Opening of JETRO’s 45th domestic office in Wakayama Prefecture

December, 2017

JETRO opened its 45th domestic office in Wakayama on October 16, 2017, holding the opening ceremony on December 20. Wakayama Prefecture has significant potential in exporting agricultural, forestry and fishery products such as fruit, local specialties and traditional handicraft. Moreover, great expectations for drawing investment from overseas companies and facilitating inbound flows have been placed on the prefecture. Taking advantage of its position as the first JETRO branch to be located within a prefectural office, JETRO Wakayama will work closely with the local government and related organizations to support local companies.

The opening ceremony on December 12 included a ribbon-cutting and was joined by approximately 90 people including representatives from local economic circles, the mayors of local cities and towns and the following distinguished guests: Minister Hiroshige Seko of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) ; Governor Yoshinobu Nisaka of Wakayama Prefecture; Director-General Shigehiro Tanaka of the Trade Policy Bureau of METI; Chairman Taro Ozaki of the Wakayama Prefectural Assembly; Director-General Kiyoshi Mori of the Kinki Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry; and Chairman Hiroomi Katayama of the Wakayama Chamber of Commerce and Industry Association and JETRO Wakayama. In his greeting, Minister Seko stated that METI will combine both the strengths of JETRO Wakayama and local companies, and work with Wakayama Prefecture and its municipal governments in order to contribute to the development of Wakayama's economy.

In the opening reception, which was joined by about 200 people including representatives from local companies and people related to industrial circles, congratulatory speeches were delivered by Diet members including Economic Minister Seko and Secretary-General Toshihiro Nikai of the LDP, who expressed high hopes in their remarks. A member of the House of Councilors, Yosuke Tsuruho, and a member of the House of Representatives, Hirofumi Kado, took part in the sake cask breaking ceremony. JETRO Wakayama will conduct activities focusing on the following four pillars: