IIST-ASIA INDUSTRIAL TOUR IN YAMAGATA AND FUKUSHIMA 4-6 November 2009 organized by Institute for International Studies and Training supported by Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry This booklet was subsidized by the Japan Keirin Association through promotion funds from Keirin races. http://ringring-keirin.jp IIST-ASIA INDUSTRIAL TOUR in YAMAGATA and FUKUSHIMA About the IIST-Asia Industrial Tours IIST, a foundation fully supported by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), has been proactively conducting a range of activities such as human resource development from an international perspective and the promotion of international exchange and mutual understanding to alleviate economic and cultural friction among the people of the world. Our Asia Department actively implements various programs including this industrial tour to further promote Japan’s favorable economic relationship with other Asian countries. As a part of our program, we organize an annual IIST-Asia Industrial Tour to provide diplomats from Asian countries 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 development 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 and industrial situation, and experience local culture. IIST Industrial Tour in Yamagata and Fukushima Held on 4-6 November 2009, the aim of the "IIST-Asia Industrial Tour in Yamagata and Fukushima" was to offer diplomats based in Tokyo, and especially those from Asian countries, an opportunity to deepen their understanding of Japanese regional economic development by visiting Yamagata Prefecture and Fukushima Prefecture, both located in the Tohoku region. In Yamagata, a new project called “Yamagata Koubou” was launched in 2005 to bring together traditional craftsmanship, the beauty of Japanese art and old and modern worlds. As part of this project, several products have been developed in Yamagata and Fukushima utilizing traditional materials and techniques for the modern world. The tour provided the chance for participants to learn about this unique project. 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-Asia Industrial Tour in Yamagata and Fukushima List of Participants (Alphabetical order) 1. His Excellency Mr. Ashraf-ud-DOULA (Bangladesh) Ambassador Embassy of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh バングラデシュ人民共和国大使館 特命全権大使 アシュラフ・ウッド・ドウラ 閣下 2. Ms. LI Qian (China) First Secretary Embassy of the People’s Republic of China 中華人民共和国大使館 一等書記官（経済担当）李 茜 (リー キアン) 氏 3. Mr. Soon-Taik HWANG (Korea) Minister Embassy of the Republic of Korea 大韓民国大使館 経済公使 ファン・スン・テク 氏 4. Mr. Zakri JAAFAR (Malaysia) Chargé d’ Affairs a.i. (Deputy Chief of Mission) Embassy of Malaysia in Japan マレーシア大使館 臨時代理大使（次席大使）ザクリ ジャーファー 氏 5. Mr. Ahmed ADIL (Maldives) Chargé d’ Affairs a.i. (Counsellor) Embassy of the Republic of Maldives モルディブ共和国大使館 臨時代理大使（参事官）アハメド・アディル 氏 6. His Excellency Mr. Rentsendoo JIGJID (Mongolia) Ambassador Embassy of Mongolia in Japan モンゴル大使館 特命全権大使 レンツェンドー・ジグジッド 閣下 2 7. His Excellency Mr. Noor Muhammad JADMANI (Pakistan) Ambassador Embassy of Pakistan パキスタン・イスラム共和国大使館 特命全権大使 ヌール・ムハマド・ジャドマニ 閣下 8. Mr. Mauino HARESCO (Philippines) Commercial Counsellor Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines フィリピン共和国大使館 商務参事官 マウイノ・ハレスコ 氏 9. Mr. Rathnayake DISSANAYAKE (Sri Lanka) Minister (Commercial) Embassy of Sri Lanka スリランカ民主社会主義共和国大使館 公使（商務担当）ラトナヤカ・ディッサナヤカ 氏 10. Mr. Jullapong THAVEESRI (Thailand) Minister Counsellor (Industry) Office of Industrial Affairs, Royal Thai Embassy タイ王国大使館工業部 公使参事官（工業）ジュラポン・タウィーシー 氏 11. His Excellency Mr. Domingos Sarmento ALVES (Timor-Leste) Ambassador Embassy of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste 東ティモール民主共和国大使館 特命全権大使 ドミンゴス･サルメント･アルベス 閣下 12. Mr. VU VAN Trung （Viet Nam） Commercial counsellor, Head of the Commercial Office Embassy of the S.R. of Viet Nam ベトナム社会主義共和国大使館 商務参事官 商務事務所長 ブー・バン チュン 氏 3 IIST-Asia Industrial Tour in YAMAGATA and FUKUSHIMA Schedule (4th-6th November) DAY 1: YAMAGATA Wednesday, November 4 09:00 Departure from Tokyo station by Shinkansen (Bullet Train；Tsubasa 107) 11:45 Arrival at Yamagata station 12:00 Luncheon Meeting with Tohoku Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry 13:00 Briefing of Tohoku Economy by Tohoku Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry 14:00 Presentation of “Yamagata Koubou”by the president of Kikuchi Hojudo Inc. (Cast iron manufacturing works, Yamagata Koubou member company) 16:00 Visit to Tendo Co., Ltd. in Tendo City (Manufacturing of curved plywood furniture, Yamagata Koubou member company) 18:00 Check-in at Tendo Hotel 19:00 Dinner Meeting with local government and business leaders in Tendo Hotel Accomodation: Tendo Hotel ■Tendo Hotel at Tendo hot spring (November 4th) Address:2-1-3 Kamata-honcho, Tendo City, 994-0025, Yamagata Prefecture TEL : 023-654-5511 FAX : 023-654-5517 4 DAY 2: YAMAGATA, FUKUSHIMA Thursday, November 5 09:30 Visit to Oriental Carpet Mills, Ltd. in Yamanobe city (Manufacturing of high qualified carpets, Yamagata Koubou member company) 12:00 Lunch in Hotel Tansen, Nanayo City 13:30 Visit to Orimoto Yamakuchi Co., Ltd. in Yonezawa city (Manufacturing of jacquard weaving) 17:00 Check-in at Konjakutei at Higashiyama Hot spring 18:00 Dinner Meeting with local government and business leaders in Konjakutei Accomodation:Konjakutei ■Konjakutei at Higashiyama hot spring (November 5th) Address: 247 Yumoto, Higashiyama-machi, Aizu-Wakamatsu City, 965-0814, Fukushima Prefecture TEL: 0242-26-4126 FAX: 0242-27-5739 DAY 3: FUKUSHIMA Friday, November 6 09:30 Visit to Sakamoto Urushi Manufacturing Co., Ltd. in Aizu-Wakamatsu city (Manufacturing of Japanese lacquer products as well as urushi refiner) 11:10 Visit to Tsuruga Castle 12:10 Lunch in Mangero, Aizu-Wakamatsu city 13:30 Visit to Aizu Olympus Co., Ltd. in Aizu-Wakamatsu city (Manufacturing of medical and industrial endoscopes) 17:26 Departure from Kooriyama station by Shinkansen (Bullet Train) (Max Yamabiko 122) 18:48 Arrival at Tokyo station 5 Highlights of the Program DAY 1: Wednesday, November 4 Briefing on Tohoku Economy by Tohoku Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) Participants received a detailed briefing on the economic, industrial and commercial background of the Tohoku region from the Director-General of the Tohoku Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry, Hiroshi Kazui. Presentation on “Yamagata Koubou” from President of Kikuchi Hojudo Inc. (Cast iron manufacturing works, Yamagata Koubou member company) A presentation on “Yamagata Koubou” was also given by Noriyasu Kikuchi, President of Kikuchi Hojudo Inc. His lecture introduced participants to the philosophy and functions of Yamagata Koubou. About Yamagata Koubou The combination of modern design and high-quality craftsmanship embodied in the weaving, casting and woodwork that form the backbone of Yamagata’s traditional production has created a new inspirational “usable art” for the global market. Yamagata Koubou is a brand born in 2005 from the “Carozzeria Project” which Ken Okuyama, the famous industrial designer, and several companies in Yamagata Prefecture launched in 2003. Based on the brand concept of “modern vintage of Japan”, the aim is to reach out to discerning individuals in Japan and overseas who understand product value and are willing to invest in something long-lasting. The project name “Carozzeria” is derived from a concept developed by Italian automobile companies such as Ferrari, conducting the entire auto design and production process in one area. The group of products designer by Ken Okuyama and produced Carozzeria-style by several traditional companies in Yamagata Prefecture with high craftsmanship skills and traditional technology is known as “Yamagata Koubou”. Kikuchi Hojudo Inc. (Yamagata Koubou member company) Yamagata is home to some of Japan’s oldest iron foundries, and is also where some of the most innovative cast iron manufacturers are based today. The oldest of these is Kikuchi Hojudo Inc., a Yamagata Koubou member. Noriyasu Kikuchi heads the company and is also one of the core members of Yamagata Koubou. 6 Tendo Co., Ltd. (Yamagata Koubou member company) When they visited Tendo Co., Ltd., in Tendo City in Yamagata Prefecture, participants first received a briefing on the company from company president Masahiro Katou. At the factory and in the show room, participants observed the various types of wooden products manufactured by the company, which are created using advanced technologies and contemporary designs by famous designers. Founded in 1940, Tendo primarily manufactures special-order wooden furniture, curved plywood furniture and wooden parts for automobiles. In 1947, Tendo became involved in the manufacture of Occupation housing and, from the early 1950s, furniture for the domestic market. The company boasts a wide range of products designed by award-winning designers. Tendo itself was awarded the prestigious Mainichi Design Prize in 1964 for its contribution to Japanese furniture production in a period when the company was receiving commissions for furniture for many new buildings. Its manufacture of furniture by leading designers continued in the following