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Tokyo Investment and Business Seminar was held in January 2010!
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government held a business and investment seminar in Düsseldorf, Germany with the cooperation of the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), the government of North Rhine-Westphalia, the Düsseldorf Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) and other local public institutions.
The seminar was opened by greetings from Mr. Hitoshi Yamate of Senior director of the Commerce and Industry Division of Tokyo’s Bureau of Industrial and Labor Affairs and a guest speaker, Dr. Peter Scholz, Director of Foreign Economic Relations, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia. The first speaker was one of Europe's most prominent scholars of Japanese studies, Dr. Franz Waldenberger, who spoke about the attractive qualities of the market in Tokyo. Next, as proof of one of these qualities, the presence of good business partners, presentations were given by four different small and medium-sized enterprises who represent Tokyo and its cutting-edge technology. Following presentation was made by Dr. Andreas Bauer of KUKA Robotics based on his own experiences in developing a business in Japan. Lastly, Ms. Yuka Watanabe, Director for Attraction of Foreign Direct Investment in Tokyo of Bureau of Industrial and Labor Affairs made a presentation entitled "Supporting Foreign Companies Doing Business in Tokyo" which told of Tokyo's first-class business environment while introducing the metropolitan government's various methods of supporting foreign-affiliated firms.
The details of the seminar follows.
<Professor Franz WALDENBERGER>
Japanese Economy
Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich Japan- Centre
Dr. Waldenberger was in a position of scholarly authority as he spoke of the opportunities that awaited German companies considering branching out into Tokyo. He pointed out Tokyo’s attractiveness like high population density, a wealth of innovation, high level of consumption, extraordinary high productivity based on proximity to policymakers, and rapid exchange of information. In addition, he added that easy access to highly-skilled workers and being central in the international community have been appealing reasons for companies to make the leap into Tokyo. Audience said that it was quite easy to understand outline of the Tokyo market and that they could obtain a lot of information about Tokyo.
<Presentations from four small and medium-sized enterprises representing Tokyo>
Next, presentations by four small and medium-sized high-tech companies were made as further proof of Tokyo’s appeal,
its variety of business partners. Audience said that they were attracted by interesting concepts and were impressed that high technology was within reach of even small businesses. In addition, some German companies interested in these companies joined business meetings after the Seminar.
<KUKA Robotics>
Dr. Andreas Bauer
Director Marketing,
KUKA manufactures robotic systems and offers many solutions in the automation process. They supply Japan with robots used in fields such as medicine and entertainment. They started their entry into Tokyo by moving into Ogikubo, and with their growth, moved to Odaiba in 2009.
Dr. Bauer said that easy access to trade fairs was one of Tokyo's important features, and gave his own experience as an example, talking about the iREX International Robot Exhibition at Tokyo Big Sight where he was able to gain the trust of his customers. The audience listened closely as he explained that finding a niche that the Japanese haven't yet discovered creates enormous business opportunities. Listeners said that he gave very practical advice for breathing life into business and that it was an excellent presentation that touched on important points.
<Ms. Yuka Watanabe, Director for Attraction of Foreign Direct Investment in Tokyo of Bureau of Industrial and Labor Affairs>
Lastly, there was a presentation from the metropolitan government introducing Tokyo's predominant business environment and support offered toward foreign-affiliated firms.Let us introduce details of two supporting programs here.
·Support for exhibiting at the Tokyo Industry Exhibition
The Tokyo Industry Exhibition is a general trade show for small and medium-sized enterprises held at Japan's largest international convention center, Tokyo Big Sight, and is sponsored by Tokyo Metropolitan Government. Support for participating the exhibition is offered to foreign-affiliated firms planning entering the Tokyo market.Booth and interpreter are provided free of charge, and business meetings with companies located in Tokyo are also arranged during the exhibition. We believe that participating at the exhibition is an excellent chance to take a first step into the Japanese market by visiting Japan and being able to understand the Tokyo market and the needs of Japanese businesses. The next exhibition is planned for November 10-12, 2010. Please consider becoming an exhibitor.
·Tokyo Business Entry Point
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government established "Tokyo Business Entry Point" (TBEP) as a one-stop information portal service for foreign-affiliated firms . TBEP provides a wide variety of information that suits our clients' needs, from establishing a business to expanding it, free of charge. Our highly-experienced counseling staff provides business information serving individual needs, from approvals and licenses information, information on exhibitions and trade shows, office information, information about matching services, and other business-related information and so on. In addition, they can provide Information for daily life like housing information and educational institutions information. We work through e-mail, direct meetings, over the phone and provide consultations to those who are overseas. If you are interested in expanding your business into Tokyo, please feel free to contact us.
(Links to the Tokyo Industry Exhibition)
http://www.sangyo-koryuten.jp/
(Business Inquiry Form)
https://www.tokyo-business.jp/eng/entrypoint/inquiry_business.php
(Living in Tokyo Inquiry Form)
https://www.tokyo-business.jp/eng/entrypoint/inquiry_living.php
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government hope that foreign businesses use this seminar as a chance to move into Tokyo. We have prepared services, including the Tokyo Industry Exhibition and Tokyo Business Entry Point. Please feel free to contact us.
