Press Releases

September 13 program to follow Midwest U.S.-Japan conference

(CINCINNATI, AUGUST 24, 2005) – Small and mid-sized companies seeking to take advantage of the flourishing economic relationship between Japan and the State of Ohio will have an opportunity to hear from a team of trade experts and business executives in a half-day seminar: “Doing Business with Japan: What You Need to Know to Succeed.” The program is scheduled for September 13, 2005, at 2:00 p.m., at the Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza. It follows the closing sessions of the 27th Annual Meeting of the Midwest U.S.-Japan Association, at the same location.

The seminar is being presented by the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), along with the U.S. Commercial Service, U.S. Department of Commerce; the Ohio Department of Development; the Southern Ohio District Export Council; the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber; and the Japan-America Society of Greater Cincinnati.

At no other time has the flow of trade, investment and ideas between Japan and the State of Ohio been so active. Japan is Ohio’s third largest export market, after Canada and Mexico, and the potential for business expansion in Japan is growing at an accelerated pace. This program will feature Midwest professionals and thought-leaders dedicated to developing closer business linkages between Japan, the State of Ohio and the greater Midwest region.

The seminar will feature a welcome address from The Honorable Kiyoshi Ueda, Governor of Saitama, Japan and opening presentations by Osamu Watanabe, Chairman of the Japan External Trade Organization; Samuel Kidder, Senior Commercial Officer – Tokyo, U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Commercial Service; and Barry Rosenstock, Tokyo Representative, State of Ohio, International Trade Division.

Two panel discussions will provide a look at how companies have worked to find success in the Japan market.

The first panel discussion, “Strategies for Success when Doing Business with Japan,” features Rochelle Kopp, Managing Principal, Japan Intercultural Consulting; and representatives of two Ohio companies: David R. Scholl, PhD, President and Chief Executive Officer, Diagnostic Hybrids, Inc.; and Jeffrey Cope, Director-Sales, Atlantic Tool and Die; along with Nicole Melcher, Director, Japan Desk, U.S. Dept of Commerce.

The second panel looks at “Practical Aspects of Doing Business with Japan,” and features N. Alex Hara, Vice President, JP Morgan Chase; Ken Kabira, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, National-Louis University; Tomo Shimizu, Senior Consultant, Hewitt Associates; Dave Baeckelandt, President, Chicago Pacific Capital Advisers, Inc.; and moderator: Joseph Dehner, Partner, Frost Brown & Todd, and Chair, Southern Ohio District Export Council (SODEC).

Seminar details:
Date and Time: Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2005, 2:00 - 5:15 p.m.  Networking Reception follows immediately: 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Location: Hilton Cincinnati, Netherland Plaza, Pavilion Room; 35 West Fifth Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202.

Registration fee: $75 ($40 for each additional company representative)

Contact: To make a reservation, contact Penny Toschlog, US Commercial Service - Cincinnati: phone 513-684-2944; fax: 513-684-3227; email: Penny.Toschlog@mail.doc.gov
Reservations or cancellations must be received by Thursday, September 8, 2005.

Note: Members of the media wishing to attend should contact: Jerry Mayeroff; phone 773-761-0868; email jerry@mayeroff.com.