The Italy-Japan Business Group (IJBG) is a valuable and tangible binational association recognized for its significant role by the Governments of both countries. It is dedicated to promoting greater industrial cooperation between the two nations and fostering a permanent dialogue between their business communities, with the support of their respective institutions. Meeting in Plenary Session for the first time in Tokyo on 24 October 1989, the IJBG has convened annually since then, alternating its location between Japan and Italy. 

The Secretariat of the event on the Italian side is entrusted to ITA – Italian Trade Agency, and on the Japanese side to MHI – Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. The current co-chairmen of the Group are Prof. Roberto Cingolani, CEO of Leonardo Spa, and Mr. Shunichi Miyanaga, Chairman of the Board at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.

The entire event took place over three days, from 6 to 8 November, with over 40 companies, 10 institutions, and a total of 150 attendees participating. On the first day, participants were warmly welcomed at the opening ceremony at Happoen, in the heart of Tokyo. On 7 November, the event extended throughout the entire day at the Italian Cultural Institute in Kudanshita. 

The focal point of the event was the Plenary Assembly, preceded by a networking outreach session, during which companies and their representatives actively engaged in B2B exchanges and contributed to economic panels, focusing on the following topics:

• sustainable energy & infrastructure, including green tech;
• agrifood & agritech;
• mobility & transportation;
• biotech, pharma, medical & cosmetics;
• advanced technology, innovation, microelectronics;
• aerospace & security.

This edition expressed the hope of furthering these exchanges, especially in anticipation of the 2025 Osaka Expo. 
Mario Vattani, Commissioner General for Italy at Expo 2025, emphasized that “the Expo will not only be the opportunity to showcase what already exists but also to initiate newly fresh collaborations.” The programme concluded on 8 November with a visit to the Hardtech Hub at the MHI factory in Yokohama.

Source: Italian Trade Agency - Tokyo office


 

Published: December 2023