German business delegation trip to Japan

Travel report of the German business delegation trip to Tokyo, Osaka, Kobe, Fukuoka, and Kurume. In October, a delegation of 13 entrepreneurs from the East Westphalian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Bielefeld visited Japan to deepen existing business contacts and identify new business models. Japan, a market known for its stability, solidity, and high productivity, offers enormous potential for German companies.

After arriving in Tokyo, the trip began with a briefing on the bilateral trade relations between the two countries by the German Chamber of Industry and Commerce in Japan (AHK Japan). More than 730 German companies have a local presence in Japan, 85 of them with a production plant. The first visit was to DMG Mori, a global leader in the machine tool industry. NTT Data, a global IT service and consulting company, provided insights into advanced IT projects such as IT-supported health prevention. The program also included a visit to the Japanese branch of the East Westphalian company Miele, which has successfully positioned itself on the Japanese market. The visit to the Panasonic Center, which deals with the concept of “Society 5.0” - a visionary idea of how technology can improve life in all areas of society - was particularly exciting.

After two busy days in Tokyo, the delegation continued on to Osaka, which is known for its strong economy, especially in the manufacturing industry. As an example, the delegation visited the Japanese company “Sunco Industry”, which is specialized in the manufacturing of screws and fasteners. Sunco Industry introduced the delegation to the warehousing, logistics, and distribution processes that enable the company to meet the demands of the Japanese market and individual customer requirements. The visit to the Creation Core Higashi Osaka impressively documented the diversity of the industry and the innovative strength of the region.

The last part of the trip led the group to Fukuoka and Kurume. Fukuoka is known as a location for small and medium-sized enterprises and offers extensive support services to foreign companies wishing to set up there. The delegation learned a lot about the region and the opportunities offered by the local economic development agency. A particular highlight in Fukuoka was the presentation of the “Hydrogen Leader City Project”.

The trip ended in the city of Kurume, where participants met local company representatives at the invitation of the Kurume Chamber of Industry and Commerce, who gave them a warm welcome showing great hospitality, helping to deepen the relationship between Kurume and Bielefeld. Members of the IHK Kurume were already guests in Bielefeld in the summer of 2023. After an informative briefing about the city, which is known for its medium-sized business structure, the delegation visited the production facilities of tire manufacturer Bridgestone. In addition to discussions with company representatives from the Kurume Chamber of Industry and Commerce, the group gained insight into local food production.

The trip was a unique opportunity to experience the Japanese market firsthand and make valuable contacts.

Source: East Westphalian Chamber of Commerce and Industry