Japan - US Business News

Are Japan-U.S. economic centers no longer relevant?

Not too long ago, I spoke with the directors of two Japan-U.S. business and economic centers. The first is a brilliantly interesting man who is both academically minded and worldly. He understands that there is a need for change in the way that Japan is represented and thought of in business today. Many of these centers were created decades ago when Japan was less "known" to Americans and were in fact created to promote Japan and its image in America. To put a face on this juggernaut that seemed to be taking over the business world.

The other director is equally interesting but mostly academically minded with a focus on fund-raising for his center and publishing academic papers on Japanese economy and business. He did admit that it is getting harder to gain funding for centers. Well times are hard that is for sure. Corporate donors are not doling out as much money as they once did. However, I feel that is not the only reason.

Japan-US Business and Economic centers, as they exist, are simply no longer relevant.

Stop Shrinking Thinking. 5 ways to a new mindset

I read the article " Is Japan a Dying Nation" by Robin Lustig a couple days ago...and it saddened me.

Japan is like a genius child in many ways. In some areas (manufacturing, the rebuild after WW2, electronics) brilliant and to be admired and in other ways under-developed. 

I always preface when I write this way about Japan that I love the country and its people and I always will but this must be said and I know that it is just not me thinking this way or other foreigners thinking this way. Many of my Japanese friends and associates think this way too.

I am not sure though that Japan can save itself. Why do I feel this way? It is mainly frustration I guess. I think Japan is stuck and for all the talk of change and globalization, it is just not being done on a large enough scale and at the appropriate levels to really make a difference. 

Japan is a country that does not handles change very well and leaves things until they reach crisis level. Unfortunately it does not handles crisis very well either. So where does that leave them?

Japan - US South East Association

While in Florida last month, I did some research into Japan related businesses and associations in the south east. I came across a few and having mentioned one is my post of Sept. 9, I wanted to acknowledge the other.

The Japan-U.S. Southeast Association (SE-US Japan) was established in December 1975 to promote trade, investment, understanding and friendship between Japan and member states of the southeast U.S.: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. In 2007, the State of Mississippi joined the Association.

They have a conference each year alternating between Japan and the U.S. The 33rd annual joint meeting will be held in Tokyo from October 18-20 this year.

I spoke with representatives of a couple of the member states and really applaud the organization's's efforts. It is so very needed in these times. From what I learned, the members states and their Japanese counterpart focused in the past on attracting industrial plants into the South East but with the changing economic tide, they are focusing on news ways to attract and promote different kinds of Japanese businesses into the area.

If you are in the South East and don't already know of this organization, please visit their website, SEUS-Japan as well as the individual member states' sites. This might help you open up a whole new world of opportunity for your business.