Regional Business Conference Program held in Fukuoka

October 2018

From October 16 to 18, JETRO jointly held a Regional Business Conference (RBC) in Fukuoka Prefecture with the prefectural government and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. The RBC program provides opportunities for local governments to invite representatives from overseas companies, enabling officials like governors to directly promote their regions and local companies to seek potential overseas partners. On this occasion, eight IoT-related companies were invited from Sweden and Finland to see firsthand the attractiveness of Fukuoka, which is home to a concentration of manufacturing companies, and the business opportunities lying in the prefecture.

At the seminar on October 17, Fukuoka Deputy Governor Seitaro Hattori promoted the prefecture’s excellent investment environment and support programs geared toward overseas companies, touching on the region’s network with Sweden and Finland. Director-General Tomohiro Takashima of JETRO Invest Japan Department gave an explanation on the high profitability of the Japanese market and activities conducted by the government for deregulation. President Magnus Raberg of Mycronic Technologies from Sweden emphasized that Fukuoka has an ideal environment for manufacturing, mentioning the technological capabilities of suppliers active in the prefecture. Professor Shigeru Kuchii of the National Institute of Technology at Kitakyushu College, speaking from the perspective of human-resource development, stated that companies could expect to be able to recruit industry-ready human resources with advanced skills. Associate Director Toshihiro Kose of Yaskawa Electric, with its headquarters located in Kitakyushu, Fukuoka, promoted the allure of investment into Fukuoka by introducing his company's activities for open innovation, such as investment in overseas ventures.

On October 18, the invitees took part in Monozukuri (Manufacturing) Fair 2018, Kyushu’s largest trade fair, which was joined by more than 300 Japanese and overseas companies, and where a pitch event as well as a corner for individual business talks with exhibitors were arranged. A number of promising meetings took place at the business-talk corner, with participants discussing concrete specifications, prices and delivery schedules. At the pitch event, which was joined by 46 people from local companies, RBC invitees presented on their business and technologies. The event was highly praised by invitees, with one saying "It was a good opportunity to understand demand for our technology in Fukuoka," and everyone stating that their interest in doing business in Fukuoka had increased.