Japan Government Delegates to Brief on Post-Reconstruction Initiatives

Notable U.S., Japan speakers to discuss new FDI incentives and feed-in tariff at forum

New York, NY - May 24, 2012 - The Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) will host a forum on July 17, 2012 from 1:00-5:40 p.m. at the McGraw-Hill Conference Center in New York to address new public policies with favorable implications for U.S. businesses, particularly in the clean technology sector.

The Japan Business Forum: New Initiatives for Sustainable Growth will serve as a platform for Japanese government delegates to directly inform U.S. business decision-makers of Japan's ongoing reconstruction efforts. Organized in cooperation with the Reconstruction Agency and Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), the forum will feature an overview of new special recovery zone initiatives that present opportunities for foreign direct investment. "The growth opportunities for businesses and vital industries will consequentially advance bilateral economic relations," said Atsushi Semimoto, Executive Director of JETRO New York. "We are very pleased to host government representatives and renowned businesspersons who can answer questions on these important issues."

The forum will feature two keynote speakers who will provide a business perspective on the issues at hand. The first speaker, Charles D. Lake, Chairman of the Board of Directors, U.S.-Japan Business Council, will present "Realizing Japan's Potential: A Business Perspective on the World's Third Largest Economy." The second, Takashi Hatchoji, Chairman of Hitachi America, Ltd., will discourse on Hitachi's global operations in his speech entitled "Reconstruction Support and Smart City Strategies."

The keynote speeches will be followed by a panel discussion on the impact of Japan's renewable energy policies, including a feed-in tariff that will take effect July 2012. The feed-in tariff will likely have far-reaching effects on innovation in the renewable energy industry.

The Japan Business Forum is expected to draw over 200 international business strategists, clean technology company decision makers, professionals and affiliated organizations, as well as Japanese and U.S. media. The forum will be immediately followed by a networking reception.

About the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO)

JETRO is a government-related organization that works to promote mutual trade and investment between Japan and the rest of the world. Originally established in 1958 to promote Japanese exports abroad, JETRO's core focus is helping small to medium size Japanese firms maximize their global export potential and promoting U.S. companies set up an office in Japan. Our eight North American branches are located in Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco in the U.S. and Toronto, Vancouver in Canada. www.jetro.org

Press contact:
Saori Ezuka
JETRO New York
T 212.819.7767
F 212.944.8808
Saori_Ezuka@jetro.go.jp
www.jetro.org