Japan Business Update is a series of meetings for foreign media that bring together Japanese business executives and foreign journalists in Japan for discussion on Japanese business strategies and networking, leading to more effective corporate communications with foreign media.

Yamaha is well known for their world famous motorcycles, but their marine business is also one of their fastest growing core businesses. Mr. Toshiaki Ibata, Senior Executive Officer of Yamaha Motor Co., briefly explained the marine business sector and Yamaha’s challenges and basic approach to carbon neutrality. He explained that the energy required to achieve electrification in the Marine sector is 10 times required for mobility on land, therefore, applying electrification technology for automobiles to the marine sector is not enough to achieve carbon neutrality. To achieve carbon neutrality in the marine sector, which is highly difficult, he stated that resolution through multi-solution is the answer, and went on to introduce Yamaha’s methods to cut CO2 emissions.

Mr. Masaki Maejima, Project Leader of HARMO, introduced Yamaha’s electric boat propulsion system HARMO. He explained the features of HARMO and stated that Yamaha will continue to conduct trial operations across Japan to further expand awareness of HARMO. Yamaha aims to increase sales, especially in Europe, where the market has low speed usage and a high awareness of the environment.

Following the presentations, the participants from various foreign media were invited to experience a ride on a boat powered by HARMO. They witnessed the overwhelming quietness and intuitive control via a joystick. Journalists from Bloomberg, Reuters, Channel News Asia, The Straits Times, Global News and Sunshine News attended.

Mr. Seiji Inagaki, President and Representative Director of Dai-ichi Life Holdings, met with foreign journalists, including the Wall Street Journal, Handelsblatt, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, The Straits Times, China Times, Lianhe Zaoboao, Press TV and Nikkei Asian Review. The journalists also had the opportunity to see the MacArthur Memorial Room located in Dai-ichi Life’s headquarters.

Mr. Yukio Kanao, Managing Director of the Imperial Hotel, met foreign journalists visiting the hotel to learn about its tradition of caring for guests by providing Omotenashi, or Japanese hospitality. CNN, ARD German Television, Handelsblatt, Pan Orient News, Press TV and others joined the program.

Mr. Tetsuaki Kato, Executive Director of the Robot Business Division of Fanuc Corporation, Mr. Akira Ikenouchi, General Manager of the Groupwide Brand Communications Division of Panasonic Corporation, Mr. Tomofumi Watanabe, Head of the Silicon Valley Digital Innovation Lab of Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation and Mr. Kiyoshi Shikano, Executive Producer of the CEATEC JAPAN Executive Board, shared information about their latest cutting edge technologies which would be demonstrated at CEATEC from October 3, 2017. CEATEC is one of Asia’s largest ICT exhibitions of electronic products and service producers, aiming to accelerate IoT society. Foreign media including The Economist, The Financial Times, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Japan Times, Nikkei Business Review, Pan Orient News, The Straits Times and other freelance journalists attended.

Mr. Yoshio Itaya, Executive Vice President and CFO of Chugai Pharmaceutical, shared his expertise on the pharmaceutical industry with foreign journalists. Chugai Pharmaceutical is one of Japan’s leading research-based pharmaceutical companies with strengths in biotechnology products. Media including The Economist, Pan Orient News, The Straits Times and Television Suisse attended.