Japan and New Zealand focus on a brighter future
More than 100 New Zealand and Japanese political and business leaders are meeting in Tokyo to discuss how the two countries can co-operate in their rebuilding efforts after recent natural disasters.
The Japan-New Zealand Partnership Forum will focus on deepening co-operation for renewal and recovery, under the theme ‘Japan and New Zealand – overcoming adversity, building the future’.
Asia New Zealand Foundation chairman Philip Burdon is the New Zealand chairman for the forum, working alongside his Japanese counterpart, Yoshihiko Miyauchi, the chairman and chief executive of ORIX Corporation. Asia:NZ is also one of the gold sponsors of the forum, along with others that include ANZCO Foods, Fonterra, Beef+Lamb New Zealand and Zespri.
Mr Burdon says Japan is one of New Zealand’s most important partnerships in Asia. “In the past, the strength of the Japanese economy has been a major factor in the development of New Zealand's economic links with Asia.”
He says this year's forum is an opportunity for New Zealand business leaders to engage with their Japanese counterparts in the aftermath of the Christchurch earthquakes and disasters in north-eastern Japan. New Zealand and Japan need to work hard to grow their trading relationship, but he is encouraged by the depth of commitment on both sides to make this happen.
New Zealand International Business Forum (NZIBF) executive director Stephen Jacobi says the delegates and observers will offer remembrance for lives lost in the disasters and share their views on how the partnership can deliver a brighter future for both countries.
“Shared interests in the use of engineered timber in construction will figure highly, along with the need to rebuild national brands. The role of innovation in new business partnerships in sustainable energy and food security will also be on the agenda.”
Mr Jacobi says the forum will explore the vision for the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) free trade agreement and discuss how Japan’s economic interests could be advanced.
The Partnership Forum is organised by the NZIBF in conjunction with the New Zealand Embassy in Tokyo, the Japan New Zealand Business Council, the Japan Business Federation (Nippon Keidanren), the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the International Friendship Exchange Council.
The forum will be addressed by New Zealand Trade Minister Tim Groser and Yutaka Banno, State Secretary for Foreign Affairs of Japan. Senior representatives from New Zealand companies and business organisations with interests in Japan will also be involved, alongside their counterparts from major Japanese corporations such as Daiken, Fuji Electric, Mitsubishi, Mitsui, Nissui, Rinnai, Sumitomo and Toshiba.
Article uploaded July 2011.