IIST INDUSTRIAL TOUR IN

ISHIKAWA AND

15-17 June 2009

Organized by Institute for International Studies and Training Co-organized/supported by The Chubu Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI)

This booklet was subsidized by the Keirin Association through promotion funds from Keirin races.

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IIST INDUSTRIAL TOUR in ISHIKAWA and TOYAMA

About the IIST Industrial Tours

The Institute for International Studies and Training (IIST) organizes industrial tours to provide diplomats stationed at embassies in Japan with an introduction to regional economies. Part of the IIST’s international exchange program, these tours are designed to deepen understanding and awareness of economic developments at the sub-national level.

Tour participants visit, for instance, plants, firms, universities and other local players in selected regions, where they engage in exchange with local economic organizations and administrations, learn about the local economic situation and the investment environment, and experience local culture.

IIST Industrial Tour in ISHIKAWA and TOYAMA

The Chubu Area is located in the center of Japan, and is formed by two areas: the Tokai region, consisting of the three prefectures of Aichi, and Mie; and the , home to the prefectures of Toyama, Ishikawa and Fukui. The Chubu Area has a highly concentrated industrial economy, which includes a variety of industries: transport machinery such as motor vehicles; general machinery such as metal machine tools; aerospace; heavy electrical equipment; visual equipment, communications equipment, electronic parts and car electronics product assembly; and local industries such as textiles, porcelain and pottery. The area has traditionally been a key location for monozukuri (skilled manufacturing), leading the Japanese economy in this field up to the present day.

On 15-17 June 2009, in conjunction with the Chubu Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), IIST invited diplomats from embassies in Japan to the Hokuriku region’s Ishikawa and Toyama prefectures to take part in the IIST Industrial Tour in ISHIKAWA and TOYAMA.

Together with developing a broader recognition and understanding of regional economies on the part of participants, the tour also aimed to establish a foothold for the promotion of reciprocal business exchanges.

1 IIST Industrial Tour in ISHIKAWA and TOYAMA

List of Participants

(Alphabetical order)

Dr. Joanne LOUNDES ジョアン・ラウンデス （Australia) First Secretary 一等書記官 Australian Embassy オーストラリア大使館

Mr. Georg PÖSTINGER ゲオルグ・ペスティンガー （Austria) Counsellor 参事官 Austrian Embassy オーストリア大使館

Dr. Jan HOOGMARTENS ヤン・ホーグマルテンス (Belgium) First Secretary 一等書記官 Embassy of the Kingdom of Belgium ベルギー王国大使館

Mr. Jose Antonio Gomes PIRAS ジョゼ・アントニオ・ピラス （） Minister-Counsellor 公使 Embassy of Brazil ブラジル大使館

Mr. Renato CALDART レナート・カルダート （Canada） Second Secretary 二等書記官 Embassy of Canada カナダ大使館

Dr. Petr KAŠIČKA ペテル・カシチカ (Czech Republic ) Head of Commercial and Economic Section 経済・商務部主管 Embassy of the Czech Republic チェコ共和国大使館

Dr. Adrian NITSCHE アドリアン・ニチェ (Germany) First Secretary, Industrial Advisor 一等書記官 企業アドバイザー Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany ドイツ連邦共和国大使館

Mr. SON Ho Young ソン・ホ・ヨン （Republic of Korea) Commercial Attaché 商業担当アタッシェ Embassy of the Republic of Korea 大韓民国大使館

Mr. Tom KOMPIER トム・コンピアー (Netherlands) Director for Japan, Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency オランダ経済省企業誘致局 駐日代表／Counsellor 参事官 Royal Netherlands Embassy オランダ大使館

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H.E. Mr. Aurelian NEAGU アウレリアン・ネアグ 閣下 （Romania) Ambassador 特命全権大使 Embassy of Romania ルーマニア大使館

Mr. Gennadii A. OVECHKO Ｇ・Ａ・オヴェチコ （) Minister-Counsellor 公使 Embassy of the Russian Federation ロシア連邦大使館

Mr. KWONG Terk Ming クウォン・テルク・ミン （Singapore) First Secretary 一等書記官 Embassy of the Republic of Singapore シンガポール共和国大使館

Mr. Dusan PSOTA ドゥシャン・プソタ (Slovak Republic) Charge d' Affaires a.i. 臨時大使 Embassy of the Slovak Republic スロバキア共和国大使館

At the "Kenroku-en" (Kenroku Garden), ,

3 ISHIKAWA and TOYAMA Industrial Tour Schedule

DAY 1: Monday 15th June 2009

09:45 Departure from Haneda Airport Flight No. ANA753

10:45 Arrival at Komatsu (ISHIKAWA) Airport

12:00 Lunch KOTOBUKI-YA Kanazawa City (Tel: 076-231-6245)

14:45 Visit to HAKUICHI CO. LTD. HAKUICHI Co. Ltd. (Gold leaf production) (Tel: 076-240-0891)

15:10 Observation of Kenroku-en (Kenroku Garden)

16:30 Courtesy call on , of Ishikawa Prefecture Ishikawa Prefectural Government Office Presentation on ISHIKAWA Prefecture

18:00 Hotel check-in HOTEL NIKKO KANAZAWA (Tel: 076-234-1111)

19:00 Dinner meeting with local government and business KINJYORO leaders (Japanese restaurant) Kanazawa City (Tel: 076-221-8188)

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DAY 2: Tuesday 16th June 2009

10:00 Visit to KOMATSU Ltd. KOMATSU Ltd. (manufacturers of construction, mining and utility AWAZU plant in equipment) KOMATSU (Tel: 0761-43-4712)

12:15 Lunch Hotel Sunroute Komatsu (Tel: 0761-24-6123)

13:15 Transfer to (by bus)

14:45 Courtesy call on , Governor of Toyama Prefecture Toyama Prefectural Government Office Presentation on TOYAMA Prefecture

16:00 Visit to NACHI-FUJIKOSHI CORP. (manufacturers of NACHI-FUJIKOSHI CORP. machine tools, robots, components, materials, etc.) (Tel: 076-423-5111)

ANA CROWNE PLAZA 17:45 Hotel check-in TOYAMA (Tel:076-495-1111)

19:30 Dinner meeting with local government and business Kujaku Banquet Room leaders 4F, ANA CROWNE PLAZA TOYAMA

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DAY 3: Wednesday 17th June 2009

10:00 Visit to YKK Corporation Kurobe YKK Corporation Kurobe (Tel: 0765-54-8015)

12:45 Lunch MEITETSU TOYAMA HOTEL (Tel: 076-431-2211)

14:00 Visit to Kanaokatei (Registered cultural asset: Toyama Kenmin Kaikan Bunkan-Kanaokatei) (home of the Kanaoka family, medicine traders from the late Edo period)

16:25 Departure from Flight No. ANA888

17:30 Arrival at Haneda Airport

6 Highlights of the Program

DAY 1: Monday 15th June

Visit: HAKUICHI, Co. Ltd. (Ishikawa Prefecture) The delegation’s first visit in this study tour was Hakuichi Co., which produces gold leaf as well as various products (crafts, cosmetics, food, architectural products, etc.) decorated with gold leaf. Hakuichi CEO Tetsuya Asano took the delegation first to the gallery, which presented the history of Kanazawa gold leaf production and the gold leaf manufacturing process, then moved to the workshop where gold leaf is applied to lacquer ware.

Of all the gold leaf produced in Japan, 98 percent comes from Kanazawa City in Ishikawa Prefecture. It is said that the unsurpassed skills of the prefecture’s goldsmiths are supported by an ideal climate and pure water just right for gold leaf manufacturing.

Visit: Kenroku-en Garden and the remnants of Kanazawa Castle (Ishikawa Prefecture) Participants had the opportunity to visit Kenroku-en, which retains characteristics of the Kaiyurinsen style from the Edo Period and is said to be one of the three most beautiful gardens in Japan. Kenroku-en means ‘garden with six features’, referring to the six attributes that bring out the excellent landscape of the garden: spaciousness and seclusion, artifice and antiquity, and water-courses and panoramas.

Next to Kenroku-en is Kanazawa Castle, most of which has been destroyed by fire with only the Ishikawa-mon Gate remaining. In 2001, historical wooden structures such as the Hishi Yagura and the Hashizumemon Tsuzuki Yagura were restored and the area was renovated to become a castle park together with Kenroku-en.

Courtesy call on the Governor of Ishikawa Prefecture at the Prefectural Government Office The delegation paid a courtesy call on Governor Masanori Tanimoto at the Ishikawa Prefectural Government Office.

Briefing on Ishikawa economy by local government officials The delegation received a briefing on the economic, industrial and commercial background of Ishikawa Prefecture at the Prefectural Government Office.

7 Dinner meeting with local government and business leaders in Kanazawa City IIST organized a Welcome Dinner attended by Masanori Tanimoto, Governor of Ishikawa Prefecture; Sakae Mikuni, Director General of the Tourism and International Exchange Bureau, Ishikawa Prefectural Government; and Akira Miyama, Chairperson of the Ishikawa Chamber of Commerce and Industry, as guests from the region. Governor Tanimoto and Mr. Miyama extended a warm welcome to the delegation.

DAY 2: Tuesday 16th June

Visit: KOMATSU Ltd. (Ishikawa Prefecture) On their visit to KOMATSU Ltd., participants received a briefing on the company from Awazu Plant manager Ichiro Sasaki in the presentation room and went on to observe the plant manufacturing loaders (used for loading excavated earth and rocks), graders (designed for preparing the substrate of roads and other flat earth as well as leveling aggregate) and transmissions.

Established in 1921, Komatsu is a diversified provider of industrial-use products and services. While remaining an international leader in the field of construction and mining equipment, the company also engages in business such as industrial machinery and vehicles and other solutions-based operations.

Courtesy call on the Governor of Toyama Prefecture at the Prefectural Government Office The delegation paid a courtesy call on Governor Takakazu Ishii at the Toyama Prefectural Government Office.

Briefing on Toyama economy by local government officials The delegation received a briefing on the economic, industrial and commercial background of Toyama Prefecture at the Prefectural Government Office.

Visit: NACHI-FUJIKOSHI CORP. (Toyama Prefecture) In Toyama Prefecture, the delegation visited Nachi-Fujikoshi Corp., which exploits an extensive product lineup that integrates cutting tools, machine tools, materials, heat treatment and coating technology to achieve high-speed, high-efficiency machining that is also eco-friendly. Nachi-Fujikoshi uses ultra-precision machining technology to produce machines that provide production control in the nanometer range (one millionth of a millimeter).

Nachi-Fujikoshi started out in 1928 in Toyama City as a tool manufacturer based on the

8 founder’s philosophy that a domestic machine tool production capacity would be fundamental to the development of Japan’s machine industry. The firm has since expanded its operations into the fields of tools and bearings drawing on its quality materials. Its major products are: machine tools (cutting tools, forming tools, cutting saws, precision machining equipment, machining systems), robots (robot systems, electronic equipment), components (bearings, hydraulic equipment, automotive parts, seismic isolation systems, filtration systems) and materials (special steels, coatings, industrial furnaces).

Dinner meeting with local government and business leaders in Toyama City IIST organized a dinner attended by Koichi Uede, Vice Governor of Toyama Prefecture; Fujio Shinki, Chairman of the Hokuriku Economic Federation; Shinichiro Inushima, Chairman of the Federation of Toyama Prefecture Chambers of Commerce and Industry; and Takayuki Yanagino, Director-General of the Commerce, Industry and Labor Department，Toyama Prefectural Government, as guests from the region. Vice Governor Uede and Hokuriku Economic Federation Chairman Shinki extended a welcome to the delegation.

DAY 3: Wednesday 15th June

Visit: YKK Corporation Kurobe On the third day, the delegation visited YKK in Toyama Prefecture’s Kurobe City. YKK is internationally known for fastening (slide fastener) products, but the company also makes textile, architectural, machinery and engineering products. YKK Kurobe Manufacturing Center Senior Vice President Akira Matsuda welcomed the delegation and gave a briefing on YKK’s global operations, then took the party on a tour of the plant. During the visit, there was also an opportunity to view an exhibition showcasing the history of YKK and the company’s various products.

Visit: Kanaokatei (Registered cultural asset) Kanaokatei, or the Kanaoka Residence, the former home of medicine traders, is now a museum preserving and exhibiting a wide range of materials from the 300-year history of Toyama’s medicine business as well as materials relating to Japan’s pharmaceutical industry. The main building retains the characteristic structure of a medicine shop from the early Meiji Era.

Visitors can look at old tools used to manufacture drugs, about 170 medicine ingredients such as deer horns, willow basket trunks that drug sellers carried on their backs, and drug-marketing block prints, which were popular as bonuses for medicine purchases.

9 Day 1: ISHIKAWA

Briefing on the Hokuriku economy on arrival in Entrance of the KOTOBUKIYA (lunch venue) Ishikawa Prefecture

Fucha ryori, a distinctive tradition within Observing the process of making craft products shojin ryori, which is the vegetarian cuisine decorated with gold leaf at Hakuichi Co. in of Zen Buddhist monks in and Japan Ishikawa Prefecture

Listening to an explanation on the restoration of Courtesy call on Governor Masanori historical wooden structures in Kanazawa Castle Tanimoto at the Ishikawa Prefectural Government Office

10 Day 2: ISHIKAWA and TOYAMA

At KOMATSU Ltd. Listening to a presentation on Toyama Prefecture at the Toyama Prefectural Government Office

Toyama Governor Takakazu Ishii and H.E. Mr. Listening to a br iefing at Nachi-Fujikoshi Aurelian Neagu, Ambassador of Romania Corp.

In Toyama Prefecture, participating diplomats met with Vice Governor Koichi UEDE, the , Chairman of Hokuriku Economic Federation Fujio SHINKI, Chairman of The Federation of Toyama Chamber of Commerce and Industry Shinichiro INUSHIMA, and Director-General of Commerce, Industry & Labor department, Toyama Prefecture Takayuki YANAGINO.

11 Day 3: TOYAMA

At YKK Corporation in Kurobe (Toyama At YKK Corporation in Kurobe Prefecture)

In front of Kanaokatei, a registered cultural asset Inside Kanaokatei

At YKK Corporation in Kurobe

12 Results/Feedback

The Industrial Tour introduced the investment climates of Ishikawa and Toyama prefecture to 13 foreign diplomats stationed in Japan.

On their company visits, the diplomats enjoyed observing traditional craft-making processes and operations at key companies in the two prefectures. One diplomat noted that although he had seen the products before, it was the first time that he had been able to view the manufacturing process. Another commented that the tour had been a good opportunity to learn about the development of regional economies. Many participants also mentioned that they would like to visit the region again. The industrial tour drew public attention through local news reports by local newspapers and television stations.

Informal talks local government officials and business representatives who were part of the program provided an opportunity for the diplomats to cultivate a deeper understanding of current local conditions and initiatives.

It is IIST’s sincere hope that the Industrial Tour will prompt further dialogue and mutual cooperation between the countries of the participants and the regions they visited.

At HAKUICHI CO. LTD. in Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture (DAY 1, 15 June 2009)

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Courtesy call on Governor Mr. Masanori TANIMOTO, the Ishikawa prefectural government office 15 June 2009

Courtesy call on Governor Mr. Takakazu ISHII, the Toyama prefectural government office 16 June 2009

14 Related Articles

"YOMIURI Shimbun" Tuesday 16, June 2009 (regional)

(Translation) Gold leaf production technology shining brightly *Ambassadors observing

Diplomats stationed in from 13 countries, including Australia and Belgium, visited (photo) the gold leaf production company “Hakuichi Co., Ltd.,” in Kanazawa City on the 15th and observed its traditional technologies.

To facilitate economic and industrial exchanges between Japan and other countries, the Institute for International Studies and Training (IIST), an organization affiliated with the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, planned a two- night, three day observation tour, and this was the tour’s first visit to Ishikawa Prefecture. Ambassadors and other envoys from various countries visited Hakuichi’s main office and its manufacturing division’s plant, and observed the process to roll slender gold leaf and to produce traditional crafts. They actively inquired about “what materials are used” and “the volume of gold used annually.”

H.E. Mr. Aurelian NEAGU, Ambassador of Romania, said in Japanese that “beautiful gold leaf craft is also known in my own country, but this is my first time to actually observe a manufacturing site. The detailed work seems very elaborate.”

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15 "Hokuriku Chunichi Shimbun" Tuesday 16, June 2009

Diplomats toured Ishikawa and Toyama Visited companies and other locations Officials responsible for the economies of 13 countries

The diplomats of 13 countries stationed in Tokyo visited Ishikawa Prefecture on the 15th as part of an “industrial tour” organized by the Institute for International Studies and Training (Tokyo). This tour was scheduled over a three-day period and included visits to companies and other locations in Ishikawa and Toyama. On the first day they visited the gold leaf production company Hakuichi (Kanazawa City), the prefectural office, and elsewhere.

At Hakuichi, President Tatsuya Asano guided the guests to the main office gallery and plant where he introduced crafts such as fans, decorative boxes, and gold leaf processing for business-use interior materials for buildings and buses. Romania’s ambassador, H.E. Mr. Aurelian NEAGU, remarked: “I have seen craftwork before, but this work is very elaborate, and the production method is interesting as well.” They had an informal talk with Governor Masanori Tanimoto at the prefectural office.

The objective of the tour is to deepen the understanding of diplomats responsible for economic relations on regional economies and industries. The tour is scheduled to visit Fujikoshi (Toyama City) and YKK Corporation Kurobe (Kurobe City, Toyama Prefecture) on the 16th and 17th. (Tomoshige Suzuki) ------

16 "Hokkoku Shimbun" Tuesday 16, June 2009

Hokuriku economy

Diplomats observed Hakuichi The Institute for International Studies and Training Showed understanding of a traditional industry

The Institute for International Studies and Training launched the Ishikawa/Toyama Industrial Tour on the 15th, and 13 diplomats station in Tokyo from Australia, Brazil, Germany, and other countries observed the manufacturing site (photo) of Hakuichi (Kanazawa City), and deepened their understanding of a traditional industry in the Hokuriku region.

The objective of the tour is the promotion of economic relations by actually observing regional economies, and this is the tour’s first visit to Hokuriku.

The group observed gold leaf production at Hakuichi’s main office, followed by a visit to the manufacturing division’s plant located Utsugi-machi in the same city, and the participants guided by Hakuichi’s president, Tatsuya Asano, watched the process to apply gold leaf decoration to decorative boxes.

The group also visited Kenrokuen, and had an informal talk with Governor Masanori Tanimoto at the prefectural office. The group will visit Toyama Prefecture and observe Fujikoshi (Toyama City) on the 16th. ------

17 "Kita Nippon Shimbun" Wednesday 17, June 2009

Observed an excellent location and environment

13 diplomats stationed in Japan visited the prefecture

Thirteen diplomats of foreign embassies visited the prefecture on the 16th to observe the economies and industries of Toyama and Ishikawa prefectures and enjoyed an informal talk with Governor Ishii at the prefectural office.

The members of the tour deepened their understanding of the prefecture’s advantageous location and exceptional environment, including its abundant water resources and reasonably priced electricity, and visited Fujikoshi in Toyama City.

The Institute for International Studies and Training (Tokyo) organized the tour to deepen the understanding of diplomats on regional economies and industries in order to expand investment and trade.

Ambassadors and secretaries from 13 countries, such as Russia, Canada and Brazil, visited the prefecture.

Governor Ishii introduced industries in the prefecture, including machinery and pharmaceuticals, as well as the prefecture’s tourist resources and abundant nature such as Tateyama/Kurobe. The Governor welcomed the delegation with the following words: “I would like everyone to enjoy sake made from the prefecture’s clean water and delicious rice.” The Ambassador of Romania, H.E. Mr. Aurelian NEAGU, replied, “We look forward to learning about commerce and industry in Toyama, and we also look forward to enjoying your delicious sake.”

18 The group visited Ishikawa Prefecture on the 15th and stayed in the prefecture until the 17th. During their visit the delegation will travel to YKK Corporation Kurobe and Kanaokatei in Toyama.

(photo) Diplomats listening to an outline of the prefecture’s economy and industry by Governor Ishii = prefectural office ------

"Toyama Shimbun" Wednesday 17, June 2009

Diplomats stationed in Tokyo participated in an informal talk with Governor Ishii

The “Industrial Tour” organized by the Institute for International Studies and Training paid a courtesy visit to the prefectural office on the 16th. Foreign diplomats stationed in Tokyo participated in the tour designed to deepen their understanding of regional economies and industries and held an informal talk with Governor Takakazu Ishii.

The Ambassador of Romania, H.E. Mr. Aurelian NEAGU, delivered an address as the representative of the 13 participating diplomats. He remarked on their enjoyment of Toyama’s beautiful nature as the group traveled the prefecture by bus, and on their desire to learn more about commerce and industry in Toyama and their expectations for observing companies in the prefecture.

Governor Ishii stated that Toyama has a variety of industry as well as excellent stage art and delicious water and rice. Mr. Takayuki Yanagino, Director-General, Commerce Industry & Labor Department, Toyama Prefectural Government, outlined the prefecture’s industry centered on manufacturing, and requested the delegation’s understanding of the prefecture’s investment environment. The participants asked questions about deep sea water.

The group then visited Fujikoshi, and will observe YKK Corporation Kurobe on the 17th. ------

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IIST Institute for International Studies and Training

2nd Floor, Toranomon Jitsugyo Kaikan 1-1-20 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan 〒105-0001 http://www.iist.or.jp/index-e.html E-mail: [email protected] TEL: +81-(0)3-3503-6621 FAX: +81-(0)3-3501-0550

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