Wednesday, November 19, 2008, 8:30AM - 2:00PM
ENGLISH
JETRO Event

Secrets of Success in Japan’s IT Market

Second Annual JETRO Japan Business Seminar

For companies wanting to expand into the world's second largest technology market, guest speakers will focus on those sectors in Japan with the greatest growth potential and address considerations about alliances with Japanese business partners. The seminar speakers will offer guidance on how best to approach the Japanese IT market and suggest tools, information and the mindset to achieve success.

Our diverse line-up of speakers will distill over 30 years of insider knowledge of the Japanese market into this 3-hour presentation to answer these questions and more. For those wanting specific guidance, a limited number of private consultations will be available after the seminar. The objective of the seminar is to provide you with the tools, information, and mindset required to achieve success in Japan’s IT market. Are you thinking about opening a branch office in Japan? Check with JETRO before you invest one dime into overseas expansion.

Schedule:
8:00 – 8:30 a.m.: Continental breakfast
8:30 – 11:00 a.m.: Speaker presentations
11:30 – 2:00 p.m.: One-on-one consultations (optional)

Cost:
Free. However, advance registration required

Speakers:

• Mr. Yasuhiro Mimura, Senior Manager, JAFCO Co. Ltd.
• Mr. John Gordon, Chief Architect, Devicescape Software
• Mr. Makoto Abe, Principal, Japan Business Solutions

Organizers:
JETRO-Houston / Austin Technology Council

Cooperating Organizations:
AeA Texas Council
Angelou Economics
Austin Chamber of Commerce
Austin Technology Incubator
Economic Development and Tourism - Office of the Governor
Global Semiconductor Alliance
IC2 Institute - University of Texas at Austin
U.S. Department of Commerce/Commercial Service

Keynote Speaker – Entry into Japan’s IT Market

Mr. Yasuhiro Mimura
Senior Manager, JAFCO Co. Ltd.

Mr. Yasuhiro Mimura joined JAFCO in 2002 specializing in enterprise software. Since joining JAFCO, Mr. Mimura has been involved in many of the firm's business development efforts through his consulting activities with start-up companies looking for partnerships with Japanese companies. In addition to this assistance, he has aided U.S. firms developing marketing and sales strategies in both the U.S. and Japan. The industries he has supported have mainly included enterprise software. Some of these companies include Brion Technologies (semiconductor), Neterion (10GbE NIC), Proofpoint, (messaging security), and Voltage Security (content encryption). Prior to joining JAFCO, he was a systems consultant at CTC (Chu-ito Techno-solution Corp.) and PriceWaterhouse Coopers Consulting. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from Marshall University (U.S.) and completed his MBA at the University of Leicester (UK).

Success Story - Opening an office in Japan

Mr. John Gordon
Chief Architect, Devicescape Software

Mr. Gordon has over 15 years experience in embedding software in complex devices ranging from naval EW systems to consumer electronics. As the architect of Devicescape's hotspot login system, he now spends his time online in cafes and restaurants testing new Wi-Fi gadgets.

His previous experience includes software and system design roles at Wind River Systems and Racal Radar Defence Systems. Mr. Gordon received a B.Eng. (Honours) in Computer Systems Engineering from the University of Kent, and is a Chartered Engineer and Member of the Institution of Engineering and Technology.

Special Presentation – Japan’s ICT Market: network, wireless, SaaS

Mr. Makoto Abe
Principal, Japan Business Solutions

Based in Silicon Valley, Mr. Abe assists U. S. companies in forming technological alliances, and other partnerships with Japanese companies. Mr. Abe also serves as Japan Business advisor to JETRO. His background includes semiconductor sales and marketing for Sunnyvale-based Matrix Marketing Associates and was involved in electronics parts manufacturing for Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. in Kyoto and Fukui. Mr. Abe earned his bachelor’s degree from Kwansei Gakuin University, a master’s degree from the University of Maryland in Baltimore, and an MBA in international business from Tulane University in New Orleans.

Registration:
To register, please return your completed Application form to rsvp@austintechnologycouncil.org.

Deadline:
Application deadline is November 14, 2008.

For further information, please contact Keith Sanders, JETRO-Houston Assistant Director of Business Development at Keith_Sanders@jetro.go.jp.

Click here to view the flier for this event.

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