In 2007, the Japanese Foreign Trade Organisation JETRO helped 125 foreign companies to gain a foothold in Japan. That is 10 companies more than in the year before. The largest number came from Europe (48), followed by Asia/Pacific (40) and North America (34). In a press release the JETRO points out the tendency of newcomers to settle in areas other than Tokyo.   Reference: http://www.jetro.go.jp/en/news/releases/20080526220-news

Summit talks between the European Union (EU) and Japan will be held in Tokyo on 23 April 2008. Discussions will focus on strengthening cooperation on key global challenges such as climate change and meeting the Millennium Development Goals, particularly in Africa. This meeting, ahead of the G8 from 7-9 July in Japan, will also address the situation in the WTO Doha Development Agenda negotiations, global economic prospects, and regional issues in East Asia, the Middle East, Afghanistan and Myanmar, as well as EU-Japan relations. European Commission President Jos辿 Manuel Barroso will represent the EU, together with Slovenian Prime Minister Janez…

From 2 June 2008 the EU Gateway Programme provides professional mentoring and coaching to EU companies that want to do business in Japan and Korea and offers them the possibility to participate in one-week business events in these target markets. The new phase of this business cooperation programme builds upon the experience of the Gateway to Japan Campaign which has helped about 2.500 European companies to find business partners in Japan over the last 14 years. Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy Benita Ferrero-Waldner said “In the coming six years the EU Gateway Programme will support European companies…