Home   Education   Events   Library   Lectures   Reviews

Shop   About us   Membership and Support

Japan Society Reviews Book Reviews Readers Comments Japanese Language Book Reviews Reviews Archive Theatre & Stage Reviews Events Reviews Movie Reviews Japan Perspective Japan Book Review Back Issues 2007 Volume 2. Issue 1. Volume 2. Issue 2. Volume 2. Issue 3. Volume 2. Issue 4. Volume 2. Issue 5. Volume 2. Issue 6. 2006 Volume 1. Issue 1. Volume 1. Issue 2. Volume 1. Issue 3. Volume 1. Issue 4. Volume 1. Issue 5. Volume 1. Issue 6.

The Invest Japan Symposium 2006 Creating Value through Innovation 26 September 2006 Organised by Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) and Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) Supported by Confederation of British Industry, UK Trade & Investment and Nihon Keizai Shimbun Institute of Directors, 116 Pall Mall, London, SW1Y 5ED Review by Sean Curtin This well-attended symposium highlighted the excellent state of UK-Japan business ties and outlined the lucrative opportunities for UK business in Japan. The efficiently executed conference boasted a superb array of speakers, who painted a comprehensive picture of bilateral business ties and investment opportunities. Invest Japan symposium highlighted the strength of UK-Japan business ties Toru Ishida, Director-General, Trade and Economic Cooperation Bureau, opened the conference by telling the audience, "Japan is back." He reminded participants that with a decade of economic difficult firmly behind it, the Japanese economy is once more on the march with GDP growing by 2.6% in 2005, and corporate Japan returning record profits. The country is now keen to attract more foreign direct investment (FDI). According to the IMF, the ratio of Japan's cumulative inwards FDI stock against its GDP was about 2%, which is substantially lower than that of other developed countries such as the UK (37.8%) and the US (19.1%). The aim is to raise the Japanese figure to about 5% by 2010, creating new opportunities in the Japanese market. Andrew Cahn: "Japanese companies invested more than £13.6 billion in the UK and employ over 95,000 people." Andrew Cahn, Chief Executive, UKTI, pointed out that over 1000 Japanese companies have together invested more than 13.6 billion pounds in the British economy and employ over 95,000 people. In fact, Japanese companies have invested more money and created more jobs in the UK than any single European country. They have also invested in every single UK region. Moreover, Japanese businesses continue to grow in the UK with substantial new investments. From 1997 to the present, the UK has received the largest stock of Japanese investment in Europe totaling about US$8.6 billion. Hiroshi Tsukamoto: "Japan is the UK's largest export market outside Europe and the US." Hiroshi Tsukamoto, President of JETRO, armed with an impressive arsenal of figures and charts, explained why UK business should consider Japan as a first-class investment opportunity. Japan is the UK's largest export market outside Europe and the US. It represents 12 percent of world GDP and took £8 billion of UK goods and services in 2005. Japan is a sophisticated, competitive and stable business market for British exporters and investors. British exports to Japan grew by 2.8 percent in 2005 to £3,700 million. Exports were dominated by three major sectors: chemical products, machinery and transport equipment. In recent years, Japan has become increasingly attractive for entrepreneurs and businesses seeking to set up operations abroad. As the world's largest R&D investor and second largest economy, the country provides opportunities and benefits that include: a quality-driven consumer market, innovative high-tech resources and a supportive government policy. While a long-term commitment and market strategy are required to become established in Japan, the returns can be impressive, as later speakers like Sir Richard Needham, Director of Dyson, testified. The keynote presentations were followed by lively panel discussions and useful Q&A sessions. The symposium demonstrated that in a competitive global environment Japan remains a key player of vital importance to the UK economy. The symposium speakers were: Mr. Toru Ishida, Director-General, Trade and Economic Cooperation Bureau, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry Lord Marshall of Knightsbridge, Chairman, International Advisory Board of CBI Chairman, Nomura International plc Mr. Andrew Cahn, Chief Executive, UKTI Mr. Hiroshi Tsukamoto, President, JETRO Sir Richard Needham, Director, International and Commercial, Dyson Mr. John Plender, Senior Editorial Writer & Columnist, FT Mr. Graham Baker, Vice President & CFO, AstraZeneca Japan Mr. Neil Stephens, Business Development Director, BT Global Services Mr. Ian Mason, Group Chief Executive Officer, Electrocomponents Mr. Naoaki Okabe, Senior Executive Officer & Editorial Page Editor, Nihon Keizai Shimbun, Inc. Mr. Andy Brannan, Vice President, Symbian Mr. Joe Ferry, Head of Design, Virgin Atlantic Airways

Home    Events    Library    Lectures

About us    Membership and Support

©The Japan Society, Swire House, 59 Buckingham Gate, London SW1E 6AJ e-mail: info@japansociety.org.uk, Tel: (020) 7828 6330, Fax: (020) 7828 6331 Registered charity 1063952