JETRO Symposium on Business Alliances/Investment in Japan: Market Brainstorms

Can Japan’s Changing Consumer Market Redesign the Service and Retail Sectors?

Read the Event Summary.

Corporate Seminar
Tuesday, November 1
9 am – 1:30 pm

Organized by: JETRO (Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry of Japan; U.S. Department of State)

Japan’s economic recovery is finally gaining traction and momentum as the second largest consumer market in the world gears up for increased foreign investment in its service sector. Market conditions are ripe for overseas service sector firms, including global retailers, hotels and restaurant corporations, to take advantage of direct foreign investment opportunities in Japan.  Join our distinguished panel of service firm executives as they discuss consumers, partnerships and their commitment to excellence and quality that have made their investments in Japan successful and profitable. This exclusive panel discussion will address current market trends and analysis as well as issues of financial and governmental support for investing in Japan.

Introductory remarks
Lawrence Greenwood, Deputy Assistant Secretary, U.S. Department of State
Hiroshi Tsukamoto, President, JETRO (Japan Export Trade Organization)

Keynote Speaker
Victor M. Luis, President and CEO, Baccarat Inc.; Former President and CEO, Givenchy Japan, Inc., Moet-Hennessy Louis Vuitton (LVMH) Group

Presider
Masahiko Hosokawa, President, JETRO New Yor

Presenters
Debbie Howard, President, American Chamber of Commerce in Japan; President, Japan Market Resource Network
Masaaki Kaji, Chief Representative, Development Bank of Japan, New York Representative Office
Akira Miwa, Deputy Director General, Trade Policy Bureau, METI

Panelists
Leslie T. Chao, President, Chelsea Property Group, Inc.; Chairman, Chelsea Japan Co., Ltd.
Bernard Platt, Senior Vice President, Franchising, Au Bon Pain
Patrick A. Roney, President and Chief Executive Officer, Dean & DeLuca, Inc.
Michael Shindler, Senior Vice President, Acquisitions and Development, Hyatt Hotels Corporation

Panel Moderator
Chester C. Dawson III, Editor, Business Week

Agenda
9 – 9:30 am   Registration
9:30 – 11:15 am  Keynote address and panel presentations
11:15 – 11:45 am  Audience Q & A, panel discussion 
11:45 – 12:15 pm  Summary and closing remarks
12:15 – 1:30 pm  Buffet-style lunch

Admission: This is a free event and availability is on a first come first served basis. All registrations and cancellations must be made at least 48 hours prior to the event. Substitutions are welcome.