Japan-Germany Industry Forum: 150 Years of Trade Marked by Focus on Smart Energy

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11/15/2010

Berlin/Toyko - Japanese and German business leaders are coming together to address the challenges of smart energy management and the future of mobility in commemoration of the 150th anniversary of Japanese-German trade ties next year.Germany Trade & Investwill showcase new opportunities for cooperation in the areas of smart energy and mobility at this year’s Japan-Germany Industry Forum on November 18 in Tokyo, Japan.

This year marks the 6th Japan-Germany Industry Forum, an annual event that brings together decision makers from the public and private sectors to advance cooperation in cutting-edge fields. Under the moniker “Smart Energy and Mobility Solutions - Sustainable Business Opportunities in Germany”, this year’s conference focuses on chances for increased partnerships between Japanese and German companies in these growing fields.

Germany Trade & Investrepresentatives will highlight investment opportunities in Europe’s largest market, demonstrate how Japanese companies can benefit from doing business in Germany, and show how Germany Trade & Invest can facilitate partnerships in the country. The keynote speech for the event will be held by Herbert Hemming of Robert Bosch GmbH in Japan. Representatives from leading Japanese companies The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, NEC Corporation, Panasonic, Toshiba and the Tokyo Electric Power Company will address the significance of the German market and discuss the state of smart energy. German companies and research institutes such as EnBW Energie Baden-Württemberg AG, Fraunhofer Institute and SAP AG will also participate.

Currently there are approximately 955 Japanese companies with 105,000 employees in Germany. From 2003-2009, Japan accounted for 186 new investment projects in Germany, ranking in the top five investor countries. The trade relationship between the two countries is strong and complementary, with Germany importing more than EUR 18 billion in goods from Japan – largely electronics and machinery – and Japan importing nearly EUR 11 billion from Germany, primarily chemicals, autos and their components, and machinery. Given the current exchange rate, Germany is an attractive local production location for Japanese companies, especially in high-tech fields.

Future Focus – Smart Energy and Mobility

Fluctuating energy production has necessitated smart energy management and storage solutions, including smart grids and new mobility options. Renewable energy currently makes up over 16 percent of the total electricity mix in Germany, which is expected to rise to at least 35 percent by 2020 and 50 percent by 2030. Germany has already developed the most extensive framework in Europe for these new technologies, ranging from R&D to pilot projects. These conditions present ample opportunities for Japanese companies, as foreign investors and domestic companies are treated alike. At the same time, 99.7 percent of companies in Germany are often export-oriented small and medium enterprises (SMEs), meaning that the market is not dominated by a few large companies.

Japanese companies can partner with German companies and research institutes to further innovation. This will be one key aspect of this year’s Japan-Germany Industry Forum.Germany Trade & Investrepresentatives and partners from the federal states in Germany will be present to assist companies with their plans to expand to Germany and meet potential new business partners.

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