SelectUSA-JETRO Investment Forum in presence of new US Ambassador Hagerty “Investment Seminar in the US Manufacturing Industry in the Era of Change”

September 2017

On September 28, JETRO held the SelectUSA-JETRO Investment Forum at its Tokyo Headquarters by inviting US Ambassador William Hagerty, who arrived in Japan in August.

In the opening remarks, JETRO Chairman and CEO Hiroyuki Ishige stated “The reason why America is such a focal point for manufacturing is that companies have access to the world's largest consumer market, and the US is at the center of the world's most advanced innovation.”

Ambassador Hagerty emphasized the importance of the US-Japan economic relationship in his greeting: “The President and the Administration are hard at work reducing regulating complexity and reforming the tax code to make the US an even more attractive destination for investment capital, jobs and economic growth. Japan is a very important economic partner for the United States. Given our common framework and shared values, our world-class technologies and natural synergies, there are no two countries who benefit more from diverse and better balanced two-way direct investment than Japan and the United States.”

Following presentations by JETRO and the US Embassy, two panel discussions were held by inviting four representatives from Japanese companies active in the Southeast and the South (1st session) as well as the Midwest (2nd session) where numerous Japanese manufacturers are operating. They spoke on their experiences in entering the American market, and after that, engaged in a lively discussion on the attractiveness and challenges in doing business in America.

The seminar ended with a remark by Minister-Counselor for Commercial Affairs Keith Kirkham of the US Embassy in Japan, who reiterated his department’s promise to assist Japanese companies in investing in America.

In the foyer, many visitors were seen stopping by the public relations desks set up by the Japanese offices of 17 American states.

Before the forum, Ambassador Hagerty and Chairman Ishige had a dialogue where they confirmed that the US Embassy and JETRO will strengthen collaboration toward facilitating trade and investment between America and Japan.