Swiss-Japanese symposium to celebrate 150th anniversary of diplomatic relations

The symposium took place in the city of Winterthur on January 21, 2014.
Hiroyuki Ishige, Chairman and CEO of the Japan External Trade Organization, delivered a speech on Japan's new growth strategy and JETRO's activities.

Michael Künzle, Mayor of Winterthur and H.E. Ryuhei Maeda, Ambassador of Japan to Switzerland

Michael Künzle, Mayor of Winterthur, welcomed the participants in his city. He outlined the history of the relation between Wintertur and Japan. Among others, he made reference to the German-Japanese joint venture DMG Mori, set up in Winterthur.

H.E. Ryuhei Maeda, Ambassador of Japan to Switzerland, outlined the improvement of the Japan’s economy, stating that the market responded in a very favorable way to the Abenomics policy.

Ernst Stocker, Minister of Economic Affairs at the Canton of Zurich, claimed that the relationship maintained by Switzerland and Zurich with Japan began long before the wave of globalization.

Prof. Dr. Jean-Marc Piveteau, President of Zurich University of Applied Sciences, underlined the importance of internationalization in education.

Daniel Küng, CEO of Switzerland Global Enterprise, outlined the common features of Japan and Switzerland, their successful business relations since 1864. Moreover, he stressed the good cooperation between SGE and JETRO.


Hiroyuki Ishige, Chairman and CEO of the Japan External Trade Organization

Hiroyuki Ishige, Chairman and CEO of JETRO, stated that "Japan has achieved the highest economic grwoth among G8 countries during the last year", thanks to the Abenomics, which is based on three arrows: bold monetary policy, flexible fiscal policy and growth strategy. He further claimed that the government determination to pursue structural reforms is reflected in three commitments: acceleration of FTAs, agricultural reform and promotion of investment in Japan.
He also emphasized that the "business and investment environment of Switzerland was improved substantially due to the FTA with Japan".


About 230 participants attended the symposium. It is one of the largest number participants gathered in Swiss-Japanese events so far.

Milestones in Swiss Japanese diplomatic relations:
1864, Feb. 6: signing of the Treaty of Amity and Trade
1916: Legations, which later were raised to the status of an embassy, were established on a reciprocal basis
2009, Feb. 19 : signing of the Free Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (JSFTEPA, entered into force on September 1, 2009)

Link to JETRO headquarters’ article (in Japanese only)
Link to the speech of Hiroyuki Ishige, Chairman and CEO of the Japan External Trade Organization