Invest Japan Seminar at world's largest medical equipment trade fair in Düsseldorf, Germany

November 2019

For the first theme, the prefectures of Chiba, Ibaraki and Miyagi jointly took the podium with local universities and companies active in each region. Mr. Mori, Director of the Center for Preventive Medical Sciences of Chiba University, presented on exchange between Germany and Japan, in particular the long history of academic interaction between Charité - University Medicine Berlin and Chiba University, and the "Well Active Community (WACo)," an industry-academia project of the school. Taku Sato, Chief Director of JETRO Chiba, promoted the attractiveness of the Kashiwanoha area as a business hub. Ms. Kikyoudani of the Ibaraki Prefecture elaborated on the attractiveness of her prefecture which possesses National Strategic Special Zones, with incentives such as subsidies her government offers. Mr. Kumada, Associate Professor of the University of Tsukuba, expounded a study on a next-generation cancer treatment device, "i-BNCT," and talked about the future prospects of medical business partnerships. Ms. Narita of Miyagi Prefecture introduced the efforts her prefecture has made to draw European companies in the life-science field, which her prefecture has been jointly strengthening with Tohoku University. Following that, Mr. Ito, CEO of AZUL Energy Inc., a startup company spun out of Tohoku University, explained the possibility of collaboration between metal-air batteries, which his company has been studying, and wearable and IoT devices. Mr. Miyamoto, Associate Professor of Tohoku University, promoted the results of his own research on a novel ultrasonic endoscopic device, "KOEDA," for the treatment of cholecystitis.

For the second theme, presentations were delivered by representatives from Kobe City and the Foundation for Biomedical Research and Innovation at Kobe (FBRI). Ms. Sugisako of Kobe City disseminated information on the quality living environment and incentives her city offers, while introducing the allures of industrial accumulation, including of the bio-medical industry, in Kobe. Mr. Azuma, Senior Coordinator of the FBRI, emphasized advantages possessed by a regional cluster consisting of over 300 companies and universities primarily in the fields of medical equipment, medicine and regenerative medicine. In addition, he introduced that German and Swiss companies have been promoting open innovation in Kobe and successfully collaborating with Japanese companies.

For the third theme, Kanagawa Prefecture and Yokohama City jointly took the podium with the German company FESTO, which is operating in the prefecture and city. Mr. Higuchi of Kanagawa Prefecture, and Mr. Tamai of the City of Yokohama Europe Representative Office, individually presented on the well-developed business environment preferentially chosen by overseas companies as well as incentives each local authority offers. Mr. Böck of FESTO explained the LifeTech project utilizing air compressors of his company and stressed that high quality technology and trusting relationships with customers are particularly important to succeed in business in Japan.

At a networking reception after the seminar, the presenting companies and local authorities, as well as JETRO, engaged in discussions with companies from Germany and other countries.

JETRO will continue to facilitate collaboration between Germany and Japan in the life-science field, and also assist German and European companies in entering Japanese market.

* This seminar was held under the consigned budget of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.