2nd JETRO Invest Japan Networking Event

December 2017

On December 5, JETRO held the 2nd JETRO Invest Japan Networking Event, inviting representatives of overseas companies in Japan. The first such event since April 2016, its aim was to facilitate expansion of networks between foreign-affiliated companies, the Japanese government, local municipalities and JETRO. "JETRO Invest Japan 2017," released on the same day, was also introduced to attendees to deepen their understanding of efforts to promote investment in Japan by the government and JETRO. The meeting was joined by 131 people from 105 companies, and by 77 people from the embassies of various countries in Japan, foreign governmental organizations, related Japanese organizations and agencies and local governments.

Delivering the organizer’s greeting at the opening, JETRO Chairman and CEO Hiroyuki Ishige introduced "JETRO Invest Japan 2017.” He also called on participating foreign affiliates to make further use of JETRO's services such as events for securing human resources and the "Personal Adviser System for Foreign Companies."

State Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Kosaburo Nishime emphasized the reduction of the corporate tax rate and the establishment of the "Japanese Green Cards for Highly-skilled Foreign Professionals” with the aim of promoting FDI into Japan, which is one pillar of Japan's economic strategy "Abenomics." He also promised further facilitation of investment into local regions under the auspices of the Japanese government and local prefectures and municipalities.

Chairman Danny Risberg of the European Business Council (EBC) in Japan praised JETRO's support services such as business matching with Japanese companies. In addition to that, he stressed that foreign-affiliated companies also have to make efforts to gain success in the Japanese market.

Lively exchange took place in the networking session, with comments from participants including "We were able to speak with many companies active in various fields and expand our network with them," "Talking with local governments and JETRO was a fruitful opportunity for us," and "JETRO staff kindly searched for and introduced us to a company we have wanted to get in contact with."