News & Press Releases

The 6th US-Japan Investment Initiative Seminar will be held in Osaka on September 12th, 2007, following the close of the 39th Annual Joint Meeting of the Japan-Midwest US Association in Tokyo (September 9th to 11th). The Osaka event is being organized as a part of the US-Japan Investment Initiative, which was established in June 2001 by the leaders of the US and Japan to improve the business and investment climate between the two countries.
At the seminar, lieutenant governors from the US Midwest states of Illinois, Iowa, Kansas and Ohio will discuss local investment climates and best practices with regional Japanese government officials, including Osaka Governor, Fusae Ohta, Nara Governor, Shogo Arai, Wakayama Governor, Yoshinobu Nisaka, and the vice-governors of Hyogo and Kyoto prefectures. In addition, representatives from US firms already operating in the Kansai region will share their experiences of doing business in the Japan market. A networking reception will follow the seminar, providing an invaluable opportunity for participating Japanese and US firms to connect for potential business tie-ups.
Foreign business people already doing business in Japan or those eyeing expansion into the Japan market are encouraged to take part in this important event. Participation is free but pre-registration is required. Downloadable application forms will be available from August 2nd on Invest in Japan

Date and Time:
Wednesday, September 12th, 2007  14:00-17:10
(Networking reception 17:20-18:50)

Venue:
Osaka International Convention Center (Grand Cube Osaka)

Number of participants:
150

Organizers:
Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), METI Kansai Bureau, US Embassy in Japan, US Consulate General, Osaka-Kobe, Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), Osaka Prefectural Government, Osaka City Government,
Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Osaka Business and Investment Center (O-BIC), Forum of Local Authorities for the Promotion of FDI, Institute for International Studies and Training (IIST)

Supporting bodies:
Kansai Economic Federation (Kankeiren), American Chamber of Commerce in Japan (ACCJ), Kansai Council of Investment Promotion (K-CIP), Kansai Partnership (KPS)

Language:
Japanese and English (Simultaneous interpretation service will be available.)

Participation fee:
Free

<Program (tentative) >
Seminar (14:00-17:10)
Opening remarks:
  Mr. Yasuo Hayashi, Chairman & CEO, JETRO

Welcome remarks:
  Kanae Yamamoto, Parliamentary Secretary for Economy, Trade and Industry
  Representative from US State Dept.

Speeches on Japan's investment environment:
Attractive environment in Osaka for FDI
  Ms. Fusae Ohta, Governor of Osaka prefecture
Hyogo: A Center for Foreign Companies-Best Portal Zone
  Mr. Tomio Saito, Vice-governor, Hyogo prefecture
Charming Nara: 1300th Anniversary of the Capital
  Mr. Shogo Arai, Governor of Nara Prefecture
Promotion of Investment in Wakayama, The Value of Japan for American Business
  Mr. Yoshinobu Nisaka, Governor of Wakayama Prefecture
Kyoto Industry-Fusion, Innovation and Diversity
  Mr. Jun Aso, Vice-governor, Kyoto prefecture
Doing Business in Japan:Kansai as Base
  Mr. Shakil Ohara, President, Hospira Japan Co., Ltd.
Why We Invest in Kobe and Kansai
  Mr. Ravi Chaturvedi, Director-Chairman, Procter & Gamble Japan K.K.

Speeches on US Midwest's investment environment:
Direct Foreign Investment in a Sustainable World
  Mr. Patrick Quinn, Lieutenant Governor, State of Illinois
An Introduction to Iowa
  Ms. Patty Judge, Lieutenant Governor, State of Iowa
Kansas-Japan Partnerships: Our Strategy for Helping Japanese Companies to be Successful in Kansas
  Mr. Mark Parkinson, Lieutenant Governor, State of Kansas
Ohio-State of Perfect Balance
  Mr. Lee Fisher, Lieutenant Governor, State of Ohio

NTN's Business in the US
  Mr. Osamu Wakisaka, Executive Senior Managing Director, NTN Corporation

Closing remarks:
  Mr. Takashi Kugai, Director-General, METI Kansai Bureau

Networking reception (17:20-18:50)

To apply
Please download application form below and fax (completed form) to Mr. Tomotaka Uchida of Intergroup (06-6376-2632) by September 7th, 2007. Registration will close when maximum capacity (about 150) is reached.