At the Japan Business Day on Monday, May 22, 2023, companies from Japan and North Rhine-Westphalia will present their approaches and perspectives on the topic of "Sustainability in trade, services and industry: drivers for business" and discuss ways to achieve a sustainable transformation of the economy together with experts from science and politics. The event will take place as an integral part of the traditional Japan Day in Düsseldorf. NRW Economics and Climate Protection Minister Mona Neubaur, Dr. Stephan Keller, Mayor of the state capital Düsseldorf, the Japanese Consul General Setsuko Kawahara and the President of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Akira Sato, will open the event at 2:00 p.m. in Düsseldorf's Hotel KÖ59.
The Japan Business Day takes into account the diverse economic relations between Japan, North Rhine-Westphalia and the state capital Düsseldorf. With around 400 Japanese companies in Düsseldorf and about 650 throughout North Rhine-Westphalia, the state is the strongest Japanese location in Germany and continental Europe. Japanese companies employ around 50,000 people here. Against this background, the Japan Business Day offers an important platform for exchange. It is aimed at trade visitors from the German and Japanese business communities.
In both Japan and Germany, topics such as the sustainable transformation of industry and energy supply have moved into the political, social and economic spotlight. This transformation poses challenges, but at the same time also offers potential for growth and new impetus for cooperation. As producers and suppliers of goods and services, drivers of research and development, and consumers of raw materials and pre-products, companies bear a great responsibility in the transformation toward a more sustainable economy. Methods taken from the circular economy as well as advanced recycling and sustainability solutions offer perspectives to curb the growing consumption of non-renewable raw materials and to steer production and consumption behavior in a more sustainable direction. The exchange revolving around both countries at the Japan Business Day is intended to highlight traditional strengths and innovative capabilities as well as new approaches to solutions and opportunities for cooperation.
Expert information, exchange and networks
Among others, Prof. Dr. Mika Goto, Professor at the School of Environment and Society, Tokyo Institute of Technology, will speak about "Creating Sustainable Social Value from Research and Innovation at Tokyo Tech". Another keynote address will be given by Prof. Dr. Stefan Lechtenböhmer, Head of the Department for Future Energy and Industrial Systems at the Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment, Energy gGmbH on the topic "Target 2050 – Transformation of Energy- and Emission-Intensive Industries".
The program also includes presentations by Japanese and German company representatives. During the subsequent panel discussion, there will be an opportunity for a more in-depth exchange of views on possible collaborations and market entry in Japan and Germany.
You can find the full program here.
Event details:
Japan Business Day 2023
Date: May 22, 2023, 2:00 p.m.
Venue: Hotel KÖ59, Königsallee 59, Düsseldorf.
Background information:
The state of North Rhine-Westphalia, the state capital Düsseldorf and the Japanese community of Düsseldorf, together with partners, have organized the annual Japan Business Day on current German-Japanese business topics since 2002.
Organizers:
- Japan Day Düsseldorf/NRW e.V.
- Ministry of Economics, Industry, Climate Protection and Energy of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia
- NRW.Global Business GmbH
- City of Düsseldorf
- Japanese Chamber of Industry and Commerce Düsseldorf e.V.
Partners:
- Düsseldorf Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK)
- Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO)
- German-Japanese Business Circle (DJW)
Sponsors:
Gold sponsors 2023:
- Mitsubishi Electric Europe B.V.
Silver sponsors 2023:
- Daikin Chemical Europe GmbH
- Deloitte GmbH Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft
- Dr. Ganteführer, Marquardt & Partner mbB
- Fieldfisher Partnerschaft von Rechtsanwälten mbB
- KKS GmbH
- Mitsui Chemicals Europe GmbH
- MUFG Bank (Europe) N.V. Germany Branch
Bronze sponsors 2023:
- Asahi Kasei Europe GmbH
- Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Europe GmbH
- NIPPON STEEL EUROPE GmbH
- The Wellem Residences