8 THE JAPAN TIMES WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2014 Special Economic Reports

This report was produced by WORLD EYE REPORTS. You may view this online at: info.japantimes. co.jp/international-reports and at World Eye Reports www.worldeyereports.com. North Rhine-Westphalia www.worldeyereports.com ALFRED EMMERICHS / 123RF.COM

www.worldeyereports.com A bridge from the Rhine to the Sea of Japan Global leader takes a

oday marks the celebration has grown a substantial Japanese interest with regard to Japanese Historically, Japan’s relations order find potential partners and In 2011, Japan’s soccer team local view in NRW of “Düsseldorf Evening” infrastructure in the form of banks, firms coming to NRW recently,” with NRW were in the iron and collaborators. won the Women’s World Cup. “It itsubishi Electric, the Tin Tokyo. Held only every hotels, restaurants and a kindergar- said Dai Ueda, general director steel industries, following World “Japan and Germany maintain is a rather funny thing,” said Gün- multinational trailblazer three years, it is a commemoration ten. of JETRO in Düsseldorf. “This is War II. As the postwar economic some of the world’s highest stan- ther Horzetzky, the state secretary Min the research, manufac- of the strong ties that continue to “There is still much to learn with fantastic, as both economies have boom slowed, Japanese invest- dards in education,” said Petra of NRW’s ministry of economic turing and marketing of electrical grow between Japan and the Ger- regard to cultural exchange,” said been hit with difficult challeng- ment into the medical, chemical, Wassner, CEO of NRW.INVEST. affairs, “but that victory acted as and electronic equipment used in man city that holds the third largest Katsuya Okano, president of the es. There were 17 new Japanese automotive, and microtechnology “I believe that it is key to the fu- a catalyst in renewing interest and communications, consumer elec- Japanese expat community, falling Japan Club Düsseldorf, “yet there branch offices in NRW in 2011, sectors rose. ture success of our relationship to attention between our countries, tronics, industrial technology, en- behind only the famed cities of is a lot of interest from both sides. and 30 in 2012. The trend is un- Beyond these investments, improve existing partnerships by from a very personal level to the ergy and transportation, celebrated London and Paris in its number of This personal interest helps drive mistakable and exciting.” there are a substantial number of increasing cooperation between higher echelons of business.” its 35th anniversary in Germany Japanese inhabitants. the continued business relation- “The Japanese seem to be re- local companies — dubbed “hid- Japanese companies in the region The two countries have culti- last year. Düsseldorf is the capital of Ger- ship between Japan and NRW.” discovering Europe, specifically den champions” — that are world and our R&D facilities and univer- vated over 150 years of diplomatic Led by Akihiko Furuse, the Ger- many’s most enterprising region of Düsseldorf’s Japan Day festivi- Germany,” said Gerhard Wiesheu, leaders in their respective sectors. sities.” ties up until the present day, when man branch based in Ratingen near North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), ties, held annually in late spring chairman of the Japanese-German “These champions have incredible “It is difficult to put a number Germany’s leadership of the EU’s Düsseldorf is focused not only on accounting for nearly 27 percent and attended by up to 700,000 visi- Business Association. “Investors potential for business collabora- on it, but our Japanese office and road to recovery matches the resur- growing its business, but also in of the country’s total foreign direct tors, show the cultural importance also seem to be interested in diver- tion,” said Shinichi Harada, presi- partners we have are among the gence of Japan’s domestic econo- supporting North Rhine-Westpha- investment (FDI). of its Japanese community. In sifying the industries in which they dent of the Japanese Chamber of most important of the relations we my. By building and maintaining lia’s economy and people, to which Japanese expatriates find a very 2012, Japan Day welcomed more are working, which is important Commerce and Industry. Harada, maintain,” Wassner added. NRW. a strong bridge that connects the it is strongly linked. welcoming environment in Düs- than ten times the visitors that had because new, progressive avenues working with NRW’s Ministry INVEST also helps organize and Rhine with the Sea of Japan, both “From a market standpoint, MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC seldorf. Since Japanese invest- attended in 2002. for growth will be the keys to suc- of Economic Affairs, is looking promote Tokyo’s “Düsseldorf Eve- nations continue their partnership Germany is one of the core coun- Akihiko Furuse, president of ment started to come in, the city “There has been an upswing in cess.” closely into these companies in ning.” for mutual success.  tries for our company’s opera- Mitsubishi Electric Europe tions,” says Furuse, president of (German branch) Mitsubishi Electric Europe (Ger- man branch). And while the com- These activities in the commu- Promoting musical culture for everyone in 25 Alive – Miltenyi Biotec celebrates with pany is constantly developing bet- nity have become a hallmark of ter products and strengthening its Mitsubishi Electric’s presence in FDA approval and new product launch core competence in industries such NRW. “We have to carefully se- Europe’s homes and on its stages as factory automation, automotive, lect our projects, because we want ucked away in the lush semiconductor and air condition- them to be a strong fit with our any years ago, a piano in green countryside just ing, it is also taking a leading role goal of achieving a greener, safer one’s home was a symbol Toutside the city of Ber- in the local community. future,” he continued. ‘Mof status and wealth, and gisch Gladbach northeast of Co- “Recently, we began working “We stress reliability and trust- it was a standard feature of any public logne, the colorful compound of with the local fire department, pro- worthiness within our company, musical event,” said Masahiro Okada, Miltenyi Biotec is home to some viding smoke detectors to nurseries and we try to communicate this managing director of Kawai Europe. of the world’s leading biomedi- for newborn babies,” said Furuse. to our local community not only “Today, while the instrument remains cal scientists, physicians and “Corporate social responsibility is through our products, but also our an integral part of any concert stage engineers working on the latest one of our key objectives.” philosophy,” Furuse said. for musicians of all genres, it has also technologies in the fields of cell Additionally, in 2011, Mitsubi- Mitsubishi Electric’s trademark become an affordable part of anyone’s separation, flow cytometry, cell shi Electric took over the nam- slogan “Changes for the Better” home — in modern iterations we have sorting, cell culture, clinical ap- ing rights of a major concert hall best illustrates its role within its

developed — and continues to bring plication and cellular therapy. BIOTEC MILTENYI in Düsseldorf, now known as the community. “One of the leading musical culture within everyone’s The company was founded “Mitsubishi Electric Halle.” Since principles of Mitsubishi Electric

KAWAI Dr. Boris Stoffel (CEO) and Yoshihito Otsuki (Country Manager reach. Shigeru Kawai, the successor by Stefan Miltenyi a quarter of then, it has played host to numer- is to always support society and of our founder Koichi Kawai, found Masahiro Okada, managing director of Kawai Europe a century ago on a single idea — Japan) have a lot to toast to this year: The 25th anniversary of ous international business con- the environment,” he said. “As a way to make pianos more affordable magnetic cell separation — that Miltenyi Biotec coincides with the FDA approval and the launch of ferences, world-renowned musi- Germany continues to lead the EU by using automation in our manufac- pianos today, Okada is perfectly suited the market and, most importantly, in- is still one of its pivotal princi- the MACSQuant® Tyto instrument. cians and artists and even sporting economy, our company will con- turing process without compromising to leading Kawai from its European vesting in product quality. ples today. Just recently the U.S. events. “In 2011 we renovated the tinue to collaborate, support, and quality.” headquarters in Krefeld. “Today’s musical professionals pre- Food and Drug Administration vestment over the years in cellular biotech companies in Japan have concert hall, and now the venue grow alongside our local economy Okada heads the continental Euro- In 1976, Kawai decided to posi- fer digital pianos, and we developed (FDA) approved Miltenyi Bio- therapy programs, which gives its been first in line to purchase Milt- has a larger capacity and can ac- into an environmentally sound pean operations of Kawai, the musi- tion itself in the heart of North Rhine- them to satisfy consumer demand,” tec’s CliniMACS® CD34 Re- engineers and R&D staff the lever- enyi’s newest technology last year. commodate more events,” added world.”  cal instrument company best known Westphalia in Germany, a perfect lo- he explained. “The volume of digital agent System for decreasing the age to keep innovating. “We have “The year 2014 marks the Furuse. www.mitsubishielectric.de for its grand, upright digital pianos. A cation from which to reach the entire piano sales alone has increased by 260 risk of developing graft-versus- a very profitable research business 25th anniversary of Miltenyi native of Hamamatsu, Japan’s “City European market. Since Okada took percent in the last 10 years.” host disease (GVHD) following — every cent earned is reinvested Biotec,” said Dr. Stoffel. “An- of Music” and the site of a flourish- over the leadership of Kawai Europe “We have also been spending a lot allogeneic transplantation in into R&D,” Dr. Stoffel said. other milestone this year is a ing musical instrument industry that in 2004, sales have grown. The reason of time and money investing in piano the treatment of acute myeloid “The question now is how we huge product launch. From a produces 99 percent of the country’s is no secret: answering the demands of technicians,” Okada added. “Before leukemia (AML). This demon- are going to position ourselves technological standpoint, no one we sell a product to a client, we open strates that Miltenyi Biotec is moving forward,” he continues. has seen this kind of cell sorting the box and ‘tune’ the piano, employ- capable of providing innova- “We have made tremendous prog- technology before. The revolu- ing highly-skilled technicians in Düs- tive tools at every level, from ress in the last few years. In 2003 tionary MACSQuant® Tyto in- seldorf especially for this.” basic research to translational we started with a distribution cen- strument introduces microchip- Kawai Europe continues to support research to clinical application. ter in Singapore for Asia-Pacific based cell sorting technology, local music festivals, showcasing its In an interview, CEO Dr. Boris countries. Then we opened up of- enabling high-speed, high-purity instruments at the forefront of today’s Stoffel said: “The greatest assets of fices in Japan, China and South cell sorting in a safe and closed music scene. Constantly adapting to our company are its people. They Korea, as well as an office in Aus- cartridge system. The company changing times while maintaining have, in the last 25 years of lab tralia.” will again set a new standard for

quality above all, Kawai’s name is as work, developed and innovated Japan is the most important this specialized knowledge. With WER significant today as it was more than our proprietary technologies.” market for Miltenyi in the Asia-Pa- this, there is no doubt that Milt- Terry Kawashima, managing director of OKI Europe and managing eight decades ago for beginners and At Miltenyi Biotec, staff are giv- cific region, with about 12 percent enyi Biotec will be one of the top director of OKI Systems Germany professionals alike.  en no restrictions on their research. of the company’s revenues coming players in this global field.”  www.kawai.de Miltenyi has made a substantial in- from this country alone. In fact, www.miltenyibiotec.com LED technology: printing’s www.nrwinvest.com From NRW, in charge of Europe great leap forward itutoyo, the world’s largest metrology KI, one of Japan’s leading This has resulted in increased and measurement instrument company, ICT companies special- global recognition of OKI’s prod- Mhas built its reputation as a global mar- Oizing in professional LED ucts, and stable growth in the ket leader with its high quality products, precision printing solutions and services, European region. Currently, OKI technology and unparalleled customer service. has taken another leap forward in Systems Germany acts as the cen- This year, Mitutoyo — founded in Kawasaki in the technological innovation arena tral hub for Europe, covering the 1934 — celebrates its 80th anniversary. While the with the recent global launching German, Dutch, Belgian, Austrian metrology sector has changed immensely since of its latest A3+ printer with an and Swiss markets. the company began, Mitutoyo has never stopped innovative 5-station color print “Germany is still our biggest innovating its products and focusing on its part- system. Terry Kawashima, man- market in Europe, still bigger than ners and customers. aging director of OKI Europe and the fast growing Russian market,” MITUTOYO The company’s core strategy is deeply rooted managing director of OKI Systems Kawashima said. “It has an inte- in Buddhist ideals such as the promotion of so- Germany, is confident that no oth- gral role to play in central Europe. MAKING THE WORLD MORE ACCURATE. ciety’s well-being — translated into the harmony er product in the market today has We have increased our market Our mission: Maximum accuracy for your success. Your solution for production derived from the use of Mitutoyo’s products. the equivalent capabilities of this penetration significantly over the integrated measuring systems assuring the highest possible precision. Mitutoyo Starting out with only a single product in 1934, model. past three years and I am excited guarantees innovative results that comply with the very highest aspirations in a modest micrometer, the group today offers over “Thanks to the unique 5th color because there are still more oppor- terms of performance and quality. Discover Mitutoyo and experience the world of WER precision, speed and flexibility. 9,000 different products in 100 countries around station, the new larger format print- tunities for growth ahead.” Harumi Aoki, president of Mitutoyo Europe mitutoyo.eu the world. er has a potential to serve a much With OKI Systems Germany Mitutoyo’s European operations, headed by wider range of applications,” he celebrating its 30th anniversary its president — Harumi Aoki — aims to grow European business,” Aoki added. “We are very key to future success. “Currently, we are expand- explained. “For instance, you can this year, the company is well po- the company through its increased presence and excited with the new prospects and potential for ing our product line to the aerospace, medical and print with a clear coating finish. sitioned for further growth in the competitiveness in the diverse market. more growth within Europe with our new corpo- other new vertical markets,” he said. “Our new Apart from vibrant print colors, region. “Europe maintains some of the highest stan- rate structure.” CMM (coordinate measuring machines) models you can also print white images on “Earlier this year, we launched dards in technology, products, and competition Today, Mitutoyo Europe is charged with over- also have great potential for our future.” dark paper. These are only a few our brand new workgroup multi- for our industry,” said Aoki. “We know that — if seeing 85 different network facilities throughout “In celebrating our 80th anniversary in Japan, examples of unique applications; functional systems, which have our products do well in this demanding market — 33 countries around Europe. “We have decades of we will now focus not only on making our tech- no competitive products in the proven to be a very popular al- then we can succeed in other markets around the history in some European countries, and now we nology and products amongst the strongest in the class offer anything similar.” ternative amongst our target world.” are looking to establish a stronger brand image and world,” said Aoki, “but also on our most impor- In line with its commitment to customers to conventional and Mitutoyo has been in Germany since 1968, sales networks in countries such as Russia, Roma- tant goal: to support the industries with which we constant innovation and product more expensive copier devices. and just celebrated its 45th anniversary there in nia and Austria,” explained Aoki. “There are no work.” quality excellence, OKI continu- People who know OKI trust our 2013. It was in 2010, after a corporate restructur- more borders, and we need a unified organization From its base in North Rhine-Westphalia, Mitu- ally works to be recognized as a brand. We value our customers, ing, that the company’s German operations took in order to provide top quality service and prod- toyo Europe will continue to support its customers reliable and trusted supplier in the and always strive to deliver high- on the responsibility of heading the group’s entire ucts to our customers.” and find new clients throughout Europe through industry. “To give our customers quality, yet cost-effective prod- European business. Mitutoyo’s measuring products have applica- innovation, client care and the promotion of a more peace of mind, we always ucts and solutions,” Kawashima Mitutoyo Europe GmbH • Borsigstr. 8 -10, 41469 Neuss, Germany • T +49 (0)2137 -102-0 “In 2010, Mitutoyo decided to take a more con- tions within all levels of the world’s manufacturing healthy society.  back our products with a 3-year concluded.  F +49 (0)2137 -102-351• [email protected] • www.mitutoyo.eu solidated and unified approach to expanding our industries. Aoki believes new industries will be the www.mitutoyo.eu warranty,” adds Kawashima. www.oki.de

PAGE: 8 Special Economic Reports THE JAPAN TIMES WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2014 9

North Rhine-Westphalia www.worldeyereports.com

Air hub maintains close links A message from Garrelt Duin, the Minister for Economic Affairs, Energy and Industry of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany

“Ginza on the Rhine” – that’s what people call Immermann Street in Düsseldorf. It’s a major symbol of the biggest Japanese com- with Japanese business munity in continental Europe. We’re grateful that more than 500 Japanese enterprises and around 12,000 Japanese citizens have chosen North Rhine-Westphalia as their home away from home. ermany is the strongest con- The outstanding relations between North Rhine-Westphalia and Japan have endured for more than 60 years. Beginning with heavy tributor to the European industry, economic cooperation has shifted to the high-tech fields such as renewable energy, electromobility, micro- and nanotechnology Union’s current economic G and medical technology. recovery. It’s most populous fed- Medical technology, in particular, will be the focus of my visit to Japan in February. Based on many cooperation-focused events we eral state — North Rhine-Westphalia have had during the last few months — for example at the MEDICA fair in Düsseldorf — we will deepen contacts between Japanese and (NRW) — draws over a quarter of North Rhine-Westphalian enterprises in this important future market. I am convinced that cooperation will help to drive innovations for the country’s total FDI (foreign di- the benefit of our people. rect investment). And in the region’s Renewable energy and medical technology are also the main foci of our close cooperation with Fukushima Prefecture. I’m looking epicenter, providing a stable location forward to visiting Fukushima, and contributing to the development of our partnership in these fields. for foreign investment, Düsseldorf Last but not the least, I will be delighted to celebrate the traditional Düsseldorf Evening in Tokyo together with the mayor of Düssel- Airport is assuming an increasingly dorf. Almost 1,000 former heads of branch offices in North Rhine-Westphalia will meet and recall their time in our state. We know that important role in the regional and na- these important people are ambassadors of North Rhine-Westphalia in Japan. tional economy. I would like to thank you for your interest in North Rhine-Westphalia and hope you will enjoy these articles about our state. Serving 20.8 million passengers in

2012 and up to 70,000 passengers per DÜSSELDORF AIRPORT — GARRELT DUIN

day, the airport is responsible for over NRW.INVEST 19,700 jobs in 220 different compa- Düsseldorf and NRW are the ideal location nies and departments based at the air- port. A public-private enterprise, the for Japanese investment in the region.” airport is currently led by its Manag- Capturing a market with an eye for quality ing Director, Thomas Schnalke. — THOMAS SCHNALKE NRW’s high level of Japanese in- Managing Director uring more than a century vestment and significant Japanese Düsseldorf Airport of historic ties, Japan and population means Schnalke places DGermany have maintained great importance on services aimed added. “This provides business seats world, and SkyTeam, and is one of an incredible exchange of all at this group, especially as the airport and business traffic in general, which the few airports in the world to main- things: from culture to cuisine and continues to develop from an “OD” is very important for any airport.” In tain links with more than one domi- from spirits to steel. Today, some (Origin-Destination) airport to a hub addition, Düsseldorf Airport’s unique nant alliance. of the most vital of these involve concept. “We are looking forward central location within Europe makes “Düsseldorf and NRW are the ideal cutting-edge technology and top- to daily non-stop flights to and from it an ideal hub for short- and medium- location for Japanese investment in notch engineers. Japan,” he said, “and I am confident haul flights for destinations around the region,” concluded Schnalke. “In Nikon’s “FX Event,” held last that we can achieve this goal within the continent. this age of increasing business inter- October at the Japanese Embassy the next two years.” “Being a smarter airport than the nationalization and interconnectivity, in Berlin, fittingly commemorated WER Düsseldorf Airport currently com- large mega hubs also gives us advan- it is even more important to bring the company’s work with German NIKON Eishin Chihana, president of Yamaha Motors Deutschland petes with larger airports such as tages,” he explained. “Whereas the people together. We are looking for- engineers. At the event, speakers Takeshi Nakane, Japanese Ambassador in Germany, with keynote those in Amsterdam and Frankfurt. larger airports usually work with only ward to continuing to support Japa- such as Japan’s ambassador to Ger- speakers and Nikon management “We have quite a high number of a single airline alliance, we work with nese individuals and companies with- many, Takeshi Nakane — as well “Kando” powers innovation important industries in NRW, that three.” Düsseldorf Airport provides in this region and around Europe.”  as prominent German photography Nikon to great success — increas- age sensors are superior to smaller is one of our advantages,” Schnalke infrastructure for Star Alliance, one- dus.com representatives — spoke about ing its market share even during a sensor formats in two essential in an important marke t the current industrial climate and down market. “We want to show ways: the ability to provide higher the importance of Japan-Germany how much fun it is taking pictures dynamic range — which means amous for its autobahns, competitive, especially within Eu- relations. Also in attendance were with an FX (full frame) camera,” the finest detailed reproduction Germany has become rope, but Yamaha Motors delivers a Small yet global metropolis is a favorite prominent photojournalists, Nikon he explains. “Nikon therefore is even in high-contrast scenes, plus Fworld-renowned for its ex- wide array of products that are able dealers and photo enthusiasts. committed to unceasingly develop- an extraordinarily low image noise acting auto manufacturing qual- to capture different segments of the “Germany has always been a ing the imaging market. We con- level even when shooting at high ity. It is an environment in which market. Yamaha Motors today of- of Japanese business key market for us,” said the presi- sistently achieve this through more ISO settings. global motorbikes leader Yamaha fers customers the gamut of mar- dent of Nikon Germany, Tad Na- product innovations and closer co- Nikon’s cameras have captured Motors is no stranger: it has a ket-leading products: from large üsseldorf, the capital city kayama. Pointing out the country’s operation with our partners in the a loyal following in Germany — strong presence within Europe motorbikes meant for long distance of the German state of intelligent consumer market for photography sector.” like the professional-quality im- and Germany is one of its most touring with a passenger, to small- DNorth Rhine-Westphalia, Nikon’s high-quality digital SLR Lately, the German subsidiary ages they are capable of producing. important markets. er motorcycles for individuals, as has become a magnet for inter- cameras, Nakayama added: “Con- has experienced a tremendous in- The revered photo equipment pro- “Our business in Germany well as ATVs and outboard motors. national business and investment sumers here are interested in higher crease in demand for its full-frame ducer is focused on enabling users has been quite important as have The Japanese term “kando” epit- opportunities. Its gravitational standards for photographic camer- digital SLRs and plans to concen- to keep taking the world’s most other key European markets such omizes what Chihana believes is pull has drawn thousands of com- as and equipment.” trate future activities on Nikon’s stunning images in the years and as France and Italy. So we always the philosophy of Yamaha Motor’s panies to set up base in this rela- Nakayama has worked in Ger- strong portfolio of FX cameras. decades to come.  listen very intently to our Ger- business. It refers to the simultane- tively small western German city: many since 2009. Here, he has led These cameras’ FX-format im- www.nikon.de man customers in order to keep up ous feelings of deep satisfaction especially Japanese. Already, with current trends and market re- and intense excitement experi- there are 320 companies from search,” said Eishin Chihana, pres- enced when one encounters some- Japan based here, many of which ident of Yamaha Motors Deutsch- thing of exceptional value. Even are European headquarters. The land. their new corporate slogan, “Revs appeal of Düsseldorf is simple: Lubricating Europe’s engine The year 2014 marks a historic Your Heart,” represents Yamaha’s practically everything that any year for Yamaha Motors in Germa- aim to deliver this moment of ex- company would need is here. CITY OF DÜSSELDORF hile rising economies very stable at the moment,” adds ny as it celebrates its 50th anniver- citement as if revving up an en- “We are a small city: and I use Uwe Kerkmann, director general of the City of Düsseldorf’s Office of around the world Hamada. “We maintain our ser- sary. After half a century of busi- gine’s rpms. the word “small” as a positive Economic Development; Sabine Heber, Düsseldorf’s senior Japan Wsuch as those of India, vice to our customers in Europe, ness for Yamaha, Chihana believes “At Yamaha Motors, our mission word,” said Uwe Kerkmann, di- project manager China, Thailand and Indonesia where our products are very well there is still tremendous potential has been to deliver the excitement rector general of the City of Düs- are among the fastest growing regarded and received.” in the German market. “Custom- and ‘kando’ from the beginning,” seldorf’s Office of Economic De- larity with Japanese companies, our services to this segment. We markets for manufacturers, it’s With an emphasis on unique ers here have very high expecta- he explained. “It has allowed us velopment. “All sorts of investors Düsseldorf has continuously believe that success is not about the mature European market that technology and environmentally tions for quality,” he said. “We to grow and succeed here for the are located in this successful and made efforts to offer specialized conducting rough-and-tough busi- still demands the finest quality as friendly products, Idemitsu Lube believe that their preferences and past 50 years, and as long as we vibrant region of Germany, with services catered to them. “The ness. It’s about maintaining a wel- environmental and performance Europe works tirelessly to con- tastes align very well with Yamaha continue to believe in the Ger- the center of activity in this city.” Japanese business community coming business culture.” standards rise ever higher and tinually meet the demands of its motorbikes because our Japanese man market, we will continue our Düsseldorf has established it- here is the biggest in continental The city’s active Japanese busi- more exacting. In EU countries clients. “It is our job to always technology is among the finest in growth and prosperity for the next self as one of the main target ar- Europe,” said Kerkmann. “In fact, ness community can count on the — many famous for their prowess meet customers’ expectations by the world.” 50 years.”  eas of Foreign Direct Investment the city has been an important assistance and guidance of the in high-end manufacturing — the delivering top-quality products The motorbike industry is very www.yamaha-motor.eu/de Projects in Germany over the last commercial and economic hub for Japanese Consul General Kaoru demand for fuel efficiency is ex- and service,” he explains. years. This is due to its ideal cen- Japanese companies for more than Shimazaki, the Japanese Chamber tremely high. Hamada came to head the tral location within the European 50 years.” of Commerce and the Japan Club One Japanese company pro- European office after extensive IDEMITSU LUBE EUROPE market, the strength of the local “We sit together with prospec- as dependable support systems. duces and distributes the highest- overseas experience in Australia, Yoshifusa Hamada, managing and regional economy, the out- tive investors to learn more about Düsseldorf is also home to a Japa- quality lubricants for manufac- Singapore, India and other loca- director of Idemitsu Lube Europe standing market potential and its their specific plans and needs,” he nese school that is regarded as one turing in the European market. tions. He aims to further expand excellent infrastructure. added. “We help them deal with of the best of its kind in Europe. Established in 2000, Idemitsu Idemitsu in Europe while at the nese manufacturers as they have “Investors can rely on a city challenges like networking, find- “Düsseldorf is a small yet global Lube Europe is a subsidiary of To- same time keeping each office continued the trend of moving that really works for them,” said ing office space, administrative metropolis, and we want to make kyo-based Idemitsu Kosan Group. around the continent highly local- their operations abroad. Under Sabine Heber, Düsseldorf’s senior tasks and acquiring residential it a comfortable working and liv- “Our products help boost ized and focused on local needs. Hamada’s leadership, Idemitsu Japan project manager. “We are a and work permits. Düsseldorf is ing location for the international fuel economy and efficiency for “There are no more borders,” he Lube Europe has a clear vision of top location for FDI (foreign di- the only city in Germany to offer business community,” Kerkmann manufacturers,” says Idemitsu says. “You can find Japanese, how the company will continue to rect investment) projects. The city this level of comprehensive ser- said. “We are here to provide a Lube Europe’s managing director, European, and U.S. car manufac- grow and expand its reach around has no debt, and all tax income vice.” dense network of connections and Yoshifusa Hamada. “Our aim is turers and products all over the the continent — keeping up with goes to investments (and not in- “We understand Japan,” Kerk- opportunities that bring people always to make our clients more world. We aim to provide Idemi- the pace of innovation that char- terest rates).” mann continued. “We have hired and companies together.”  efficient and productive.” tsu products to everyone.” acterizes this market.  Because of the region’s popu- Japanese specialists to improve www.duesseldorf.de “The European economy is Idemitsu has followed Japa- www.idemitsu-ils.com.sg

EYE ON Yaza ki’s balanced way marks a path in Europe’s economic rebound NORTH RHINE-WESTPHALIA he global automotive compo- work with European engineers in com- nents specialist Yazaki is pres- municating their customer demands has Tent in over 440 locations and 42 been a large part of its European suc- countries worldwide. It first entered the cess. “We are where you need us,” Ru- European market through the UK in dolph added. 1980 and in 1988, the company set up “One of our most basic tenets in NRW.INVEST — the one-stop agency for an engineering and R&D facility in Co- Yazaki is the importance of teamwork,” investors logne, Germany, so as to be close to one Yoshizawa adds. “We pride ourselves of its primary customers. on strong collaboration between Japa- The state-owned economic development agency “With the increasing importance of nese and European innovation and NRW.INVEST conducts international marketing R&D, engineering and business activi- technology, and our ability to react and for Germany’s No. 1 investment location, ties in central Europe, Yazaki’s Cologne comply with customer demands. In North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW). In doing operations eventually evolved into the Yazaki we have a slogan, ‘One for All, so, it campaigns worldwide for foreign direct corporate headquarters for Yazaki in All for One’.” investments for NRW. Besides subsidiaries in Europe,” said Masaaki Yoshizawa, “Two facets set us apart from other Japan and the USA, NRW.INVEST operates Chairman of Yazaki Europe. automotive suppliers,” said Rudolph, Yazaki is a global leader in products who began working for Yazaki after branch offices in China, India, Korea, Russia and such as automotive wiring harnesses, years with other top-level automotive Turkey. meters, electronics and related compo- components suppliers. “The first is pro- YAZAKI www.nrwinvest.com nents. In Europe, it supplies to all major foundly Japanese: Yazaki always looks Masaaki Yoshizawa, chairman of the Board; Dr. Horst Rudolph, president and Japanese and European car manufac- at business relationships long-term. CEO of Yazaki Europe For 28 years now the DJW (Japanese-German turers. “The rationale behind choosing This mindset is a huge difference in Business Association) has been supporting and Cologne as our engineering center is the comparison to other companies,” said its, but we also strive for a balance.” motive industry. promoting Japanese and German economic desire to be close to our clients,” said Rudolph. “The second is: We always For example, when Japan’s automotive Yazaki’s steadfast dedication to and business exchange mostly in the form of company President & CEO, Dr. Horst strive for step-by-step improvement. manufacturing sites began moving to its people has been at the crux of the seminars and symposia — especially directed to Rudolph. Yazaki has a culture of constant, incre- other Asian countries, many of Yazaki’s company’s success in Europe. As the Today, Yazaki supplies its state-of- mental growth. As a global company, local employees had to find other work. Eurozone, and especially Germany, re- the level of small- and medium-sized companies. the-art products to companies all over we must understand and accept our In order to alleviate unemployment bounds from the global financial crisis, It is a non-profit organization with a network Europe. “Yazaki Europe is mainly oper- social role as a corporate citizen,” he among its staff, Yazaki began exploring it is companies such as Yazaki that will of more than 1,250 members allowing for a ated by European management, which added. new business fields in the paper, glass, help lead the way through its concern platform of comprehensive trade of knowledge is different from how many other Japa- “Yazaki is not an impersonal stock food recycling and nursing care sec- for customers, employees and the com- and skills. nese corporations in Europe are man- corporation,” said Yoshizawa. “We care tors — industries with little relevance munity at large.  www.djw.de aged,” said Yoshizawa. This ability to about people. Of course we need prof- to Yazaki’s main operations in the auto- www.yazaki-europe.com

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