The 2nd Joint Symposium of the Japan-Canada Chambers Council
On March 21, the 2nd Joint Chamber Symposium of the Japan-Canada Chambers Council was held in Vancouver. The Council provides a platform for business organizations and corporate representatives from both countries to convene and discuss various issues from a private sector perspective, and to make recommendations to the Japanese and Canadian governments with a view to further promoting business relations between the two countries. Both the Japanese and Canadian governments regard it as an important initiative to achieve stronger bilateral economic relations, demonstrated by the attendance by both Ambassador Monji and his Canadian counterpart, Ambassador Mackenzie Clugston.
On the eve of the symposium a reception was held at the official residence of the Consul General of Japan in Vancouver, Mr. Okada, for Japanese business representatives attending the symposium. A total of 18 people based in Japan, including Mr. Shoei Utsuda, the Council's Japan Chair, and 40 representatives of Japanese firms in Canada attended the event, and prepared for the symposium with networking and exchanges of viewpoints on business-related matters.
The symposium took place at a downtown Vancouver hotel, with more than 200 people, including the representatives of major companies in both countries, in attendance. Following the opening remarks from Mr. Utsuda, Canada Chair Mr. Steve Dechka, Ambassador Clugston, and Ambassador Monji, participants engaged in lively discussions about economic relations between Japan and Canada, focusing on a variety of issues. Topics of discussion included measures to enhance mutual understanding of respective business environments, and the challenge of developing new value-added markets as a means of broadening bilateral ties beyond the traditional complementary relationship, to enable both Japan and Canada to capitalize on untapped potential. Participants also exchanged opinions on the TPP, the Japan-Canada EPA and LNG projects. The outcome of the symposium is expected to be reported to the prime ministers of both countries.
Continuing efforts to promote Japan-Canada economic relations can be expected leading up to the next symposium, to be held mid-April, 2017, in Sendai City.
Reception at the Residence of Consul General of Japan in Vancouver
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Meeting Hall for the 2nd Joint Symposium
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Opening Remarks by Mr. Dechka
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Opening Remarks by Mr. Utsuda
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Opening Remarks by Ambassador Clugston
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Opening Remarks by Ambassador Monji
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Keynote Speech by Mr. Burney
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Discussion by Minister Wat
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Discussion by panelists
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