Japanese roundtable strengthens global partnerships

To further expand international trade and investment opportunities for the region, San Bernardino County hosted a “Growing Global Partnerships” roundtable luncheon with Japanese partners on Nov. 28. This business exchange continues the long and prosperous relationship established between San Bernardino County and Japan. It is also another in a series of business-building conversations held by the County with international leaders.

This Japanese roundtable was an especially important event since Japan is consistently a top-five foreign direct investment and trade partner for San Bernardino County.

Roundtable participants included the Honorable Kenko Sone, Consul General of Japan in Los Angeles, Chief Executive Director of the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) Osamu Taki, along with leaders from JETRO and executives from the Japanese business community.

During the roundtable, Board of Supervisors Chairman Curt Hagman showcased how the county is a welcoming location for Japanese business and a place where business can be successful. Hagman noted that he has made it a priority to grow global partnerships and continue the County’s work to increase international engagement to encourage greater business investment and job creation.

Economic Development Agency Director Derek Armstrong also spoke, highlighting the county’s business advantages. To that end the county has been a successful choice for investment due to its location as an international logistics and global commerce hub with strategic proximity to the Los Angeles and Long Beach seaports as well as being home to three airports, three major interstate highways, and two major railways.

After several presentations, the group held a roundtable discussion on ways to increase collaboration and support further investment. One of the guests during the roundtable included San Bernardino International Airport (SBD) Executive Director Michael Burrows, who shared more on the airport’s growth.

The Consul General and Japanese business delegation along with County leadership concluded their meeting with a tour of SBD to see new advancements firsthand. As one of the county’s fast-growing airports, SBD offers a full range of services and facilities to support air cargo operations, general aviation, and maintenance repair and overhaul (MRO) businesses.

Additional main participants of the roundtable representing Japan included Francisco Peres, Controller (CFO), California Steel Ind., Inc.; Nobu Soi, President & CEO, Daizu, Inc.; Frank Fuiji, Vice President & Regional Manager Southwestern Region, Japan Air; Takashi Chikamori, Vice President & General Manager of Branch, General Manager of Forest Products; Marubeni America Corporation; Daisuke Yanagisawa, Director – Hydrogen / Alt Energy Biz Dev., Mitsui & Co.; Risa Mitsuhashi, Division Manager, Strategic Accounts, Staffmark Group; Kohei Masaki, Hydrogen Strategy Consultant, Toyota; and Ken Ota, General Manager of WR Logistics Planning Division, Nippon Express USA., Inc.