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August 08,2012

Japan Business Forum 2012 (3/11) - Guest Remarks by Mr. Teruhiko Mashiko

Guest Remarks by Mr. Teruhiko Mashiko, Member of the House of Councilors, during the Japan Business Forum on July 17, 2012. For more post-event information, visit www.jetro.org/jbf2012.
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August 08,2012

Japan Business Forum 2012 (2/11) - Video Message from Mr. Yoshinori Suematsu

Video Message from Mr. Yoshinori Suematsu, Senior Vice Minister for Reconstruction, followed by a presentation "From Recovery, to Revitalization" by Mr. Daiki Nakajima of JETRO New York during the Japan Business Forum on July 17, 2012. For more post-event information, visit www.jetro.org/jbf2012.
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August 08,2012

Japan Business Forum 2012 (1/11) - Welcome Remarks by Mr. Hiroaki Isobe

Welcome Remarks by Mr. Hiroaki Isobe, Executive Vice President of JETRO, during the Japan Business Forum on July 17, 2012. For more post-event information, visit www.jetro.org/jbf2012.
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@USTradeRep: Negotiating Objectives: Japan's Participation in the Proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership Trade Agreement http://t.co/AWGI1zJjbt
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Don't forget to follow us for tomorrow's Asia-Pacific Economic Integration Seminar in Chicago http://t.co/vHWcharkFm
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Thanks to all that attended today's Asia-Pacific Economic Integration Seminar in Wash. DC. Thanks to @CSIS for providing the live stream.
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Thank you to Wendy Cutler, Assistant @USTradeRep for Japan, Korea, and APEC Affairs, for the Luncheon Address @CSIS #CSISJETRO
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Wendy Cutler: We're excited about Japan joining the TPP #CSISJETRO
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Wendy Cutler: TPP enjoys 55% support amongst the public in Japan #CSISJETRO
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Cutler: Opening the agriculture sector will be difficult but Japan has agreed to put all products on the table for discussion. #CSISJETRO
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Wendy Cutler: Based on current work, we feel confident on the road map ahead between U.S. and Japan on the TPP #CSISJETRO
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Wendy Cutler: Announced bilateral negotiations on non-tariff measures that will start when Japan joins TPP #CSISJETRO
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Costco

March 2005

Opportunities in Japan
Costco is a well-known American warehouse chain, offering members of the general public access to wholesale prices. As the home to some of the world's most savvy consumers, Japan was an obvious market for Costco. Japan also fits Costco's general demographic profile of a country with a high average household income, high population density, and a large number of small business owners.

Market Entry
Costco initially got involved with a JETRO Senior Trade Advisor, who consulted the company on various issues related to business in Japan. Costco executives also took advantage of Invest Japan Study Program (IJSP) to learn more about investment opportunities in Japan. When Costco was ready to establish Costco Japan, the company took advantage of JETRO's rent-free temporary office space in Yokohama.

Results and Outlook
Costco Japan is headquartered in Yokohama, and opened it's first warehouse in Fukuoka in 1999. Costco has since opened four more warehouses around Japan, giving it a total of five. Costco has enjoyed popularity among Japanese consumers, and the company as a whole is healthy, having posted solid financials in 4th quarter 2004.

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"Setting up a Business" flowchart

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