The Forum of Global Corporations
There is a growing trend for foreign companies to enter Japanese markets, but the percentage ratio of foreign direct investment (FDI) against gross domestic product (GDP) is lower in Japan than in other developed countries. The reasons generally given for this are Japan's regulations, unique business practices unique to Japan, high costs, and other systematic factors.
At the same time, there is also a lack of understanding as well as negative images concerning Japanese society and markets among foreign businesses and other relevant parties, and this acts as a significant impediment to increased FDI.
The Forum of Global Corporations was established in May 2004 to conduct verification-type research with a focus on success stories in Japanese markets by global companies active in Japan based on the belief that active participation in Japanese markets by foreign companies will serve to stimulate growth of the Japanese economy and will lead to a higher quality of life in Japan. The committee actively publicizes information concerning the factors behind success and experiences to relevant parties in Japan and overseas in order to increase accurate understanding of Japanese markets and promote additional FDI in Japan.
The main activities to date include verification research regarding Sumitomo 3M Limited (2004) and Samsung Japan Corporation (2005-06) and public announcement of the results.
Also, the committee sponsored the Jipang television program broadcast on TV Tokyo Corporation's nationwide network from October 2006 to September 2007, presenting the success stories of 49 global companies.
In 2007 the committee conducted an essay competition concerning encouraging domestic investment with the support of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the cooperation of the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO).
Members of the The Forum of Global Corporations
| Chairperson | Shinji Fukukawa | Chairman, The Machine Industry Memorial Foundation (TEPIA) |
| Members | Ikujiro Nonaka | Professor, Graduate School of International Corporate Strategy, Hitotsubashi University |
| Kazunori Iizuka | Vice Chairman and Senior Managing Director, New Energy Foundation | |
| Akiko Kuno | Director, Japan-U.S. Center for Peace and Cultural Exchange | |
| Masayuki Miyairi | Partner, Ernst & Young ShinNihon LLC | |
| Yuji Okada | Representative, Henshu Associates (formerly director of Chuo Koronsha) | |
| Kiyoshi Otani | Managing Director, Nikkei Business Publications Inc. | |
| Hotaka Katahira | Representative, Marunouchi Brand Forum | |
| Atsushi Seike | Professor, Faculty of Business and Commerce, Keio University | |
| Fumio Nanjo | Director, Mori Art Museum | |
| Yutaka Miyahara | General Manager, Japanese Investment Division, Japan External Trade Organization | |
| Homare Takenaka | Chairman, LBS Co., Ltd. |
New Publications
Joint Project of The Forum of Global Corporations and LBS
Strategies for the Japan Market Explained by the Heads of 12 Representative Companies:
Global Companies That Are Successful in Japan
Editor and interviewer: Yuji Okada
Publisher: Chuokoron Jigyo Shuppan
Price: 1,500yen (excluding taxes), hardcover, 258 pages
*This book is written in Japanese.
This book is a collection of interviews by Mr. Yuji Okada published in Business Research, the official monthly periodical of The Forum of Global Corporations put out by Chuokoron Jigyo Shuppan in the January 2006 to March 2007 issues with the addition of up-to-date information. The content is extremely accessible.
According to Mr. Okada, both the interviewer and the editor, "The keyword for the times is 'foreign affiliated.' The management strategies, perspectives of Japanese markets, and optimal methods for communication between different cultures explained by the heads of 12 companies will be of great interest to businesspeople working in Japanese companies."
This book is essential reading for businesspeople.
The book can be purchased at bookstores or directly from Chuokoron Jigyo Shuppan.
Contact information for Chuokoron Jigyo Shuppan:
Address:
2nd Floor, Yomiuri Chuko Building, 2-8-7 Kyobashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0031
Tel: +81-3-3535-1321
Fax: +81-3-3535-1325
| Leonard Meyer | Hypo Real Estate Capital Japan |
| Masuhiro Kato | AstraZeneca |
| Akio Kobayashi | DuPont |
| Yoshiaki Nakazawa | Stryker Japan |
| Akitoshi Kan | Aflac Japan |
| Toshiyuki Shiga | Nissan Motor Company |
| Hiroshi Ono | Manpower Japan |
| Tadashi Inoue | Gore-Tex Japan |
| Yo Narimatsu | Quintiles Transnational Japan |
