Speakers Opening remarks by Hon. Masamichi Ishikawa Consul General of Japan New Orleans, Louisiana Shinichi "Sam" Toyomoto JETRO Senior Trade Advisor Arkansas Department of Economic Development Little Rock, Arkansas  Hideo "Henry" Onishi Office of the Governor Austin, Texas Deanne Raymond Tax Manager, Laitram Corporation Harahan, Louisiana James R. Dartez President, Royce Technologies New Orleans, Louisiana Setsuko Tokita JETRO Executive Director Houston, Texas A Luncheon Forum Friday, December 12 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Plimsoll Club, 30th Floor, WTC Free validated parking in the WTC Garage)

Best Prospects for the Japan Market Include:

• Agricultural Products (Rice, Beef, and Pork)
• Electronic Components
• Computer Software
• Computers and Computer Peripherals
• Travel and Tourism
• Telecommunications Equipment
• Architectural/Construction/Engineering Services
• Marine Products
• Sporting Goods
• Textile Products
• Health Foods
• Building Products
• Medical Equipment
• Education/Training Services
• Environmental Design and Engineering Services
• New Energy Power Generation

Japan: An Expanding Market

Japan is the world's second largest economy.  Japanese consumers spend heavily and tend towards a variety of high quality items and services. Expenditures top the hundreds of billions of dollars in personal consumption of food, clothing, travel, entertainment and a wide variety of other consumer goods and services.  Japanese imports from the U.S. amounted to over $51 billion in 2002, making it the U.S.’s second most important market after Canada.

Area businesses will find excellent markets for their goods and services across many sectors.  There are opportunities in consumer goods and services, including niche areas such as "silver services" for its affluent, aging population. And there are new opportunities in once inaccessible areas, such as energy, where Japan is going through a deregulation process. Japan is also considering privatizing its national oil company.  There is an ambitious program underway to increase the use of information technologies, another area of growth for U.S. suppliers of IT equipment and services.  

JETRO, the Japan External Trade Organization, is offering this program to assist Louisiana businesses target the expanding Japanese marketplace. Louisiana exported over $2.5 billion worth of goods to Japan in 2002, an 18% increase over the prior year. Japan was Louisiana’s number one export market, ahead of Mexico and Canada, which were second and third respectively. Louisiana companies can learn how to better position themselves in both existing and new areas of this expanding and competitive marketplace.

About JETRO

The Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) was established by the Japanese government in 1958 as the nation's principal organization for the comprehensive implementation of trade policy. Initially, JETRO promoted Japanese exports to meet the needs of the nation's postwar economy. As Japan’s trade surplus continued to grow JETRO began promoting imports entering Japan and foreign investment in Japan.

Sponsoring Organizations

Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO)
Consulate General of Japan
Japan Society
Louisiana Economic Development
City of New Orleans

Port of New Orleans

Whitney National Bank

World Trade Center of New Orleans

 

In Cooperation With

Ark-La-Tex Regional Export & Technology Center

Baton Rouge Center for World Affairs

Consular Corps of New Orleans

International Trade Council/Red River Region

Louisiana District Export Council

Louisiana International Trade Center/SBDC

Louisiana Technology Council

Propeller Club, Port of New Orleans
World Affairs Council of New Orleans

World Trade Club of Greater New Orleans

Cost: $25 for members of the sponsoring organizations and companies. 
$30 for non-members.

If you are a WTC member, the registration fee can be charged to your account number noted on the registration form.