First Meeting of Mu-hyup and Nichi Keizai Doyu-kai... Establishing Exchange Channels Between Korean and Japanese Companies

Martial Arts Korea-Japan Exchange Special Committee and Japan Economic Association Co-host
Cho Hyun-joon: "Let's Tackle Common Korea-Japan Challenges Together"
Japan's Damatsuka: "Sharing Experience and Know-how"

The Korea International Trade Association (KITA) announced on the 16th that it held the '1st Korea-Japan Exchange Special Committee - Japan Keizai Doyu-kai Meeting' at the ANA InterContinental Hotel in Tokyo, Japan.

This was the first meeting hosted by KITA's Korea-Japan Exchange Special Committee, launched in February, and Keizai Doyu-kai, one of Japan's three major economic organizations.

On February 7th, at the Grand Intercontinental Hotel in Samseong-dong, Seoul, Cho Hyun-joon, Chairman of the Hyosung Group, is speaking at the 'Korea-Japan Exchange Special Committee Inaugural Ceremony and 1st Meeting.' Photo by Korea International Trade Association [Image source=Yonhap News]

KITA explained that this meeting served as a platform to establish a continuous exchange channel between Korean and Japanese companies and to discuss cooperation on global issues between the two countries.

From KITA, 12 corporate representatives attended as committee members, including Chairman Cho Hyun-joon of Hyosung Group, who is the chairman of the Korea-Japan Exchange Special Committee, and Chairman Kim Nam-jung of Dongwon Group. From Keizai Doyu-kai, 10 members attended, including CEO Tamatsuka Kenichi of Lotte Holdings and Chairman Mike Kanetsugu of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group.

In his greeting, Chairman Cho said, "Korean and Japanese businesspeople are all facing common challenges such as low birthrates and aging populations, supply chain crises, Middle East risks, and uncertainties due to major countries' elections. Let us come together with wisdom to contemplate and find clues to solutions."

CEO Tamatsuka stated, "It is encouraging that a continuous communication channel between Korean and Japanese companies has been established through the launch of KITA's Korea-Japan Exchange Special Committee. I hope that through meetings of businesspeople from both countries, diverse experiences and know-how can be shared and that we can wisely overcome internal and external challenges."

The meeting included discussions and debates on potential changes in trade policies following the upcoming U.S. presidential election in November, concerns about supply chain disruptions due to natural disasters such as climate change and earthquakes, and regulations on the artificial intelligence (AI) industry. Kim Go-hyun, Executive Director of KITA who hosted the meeting, said, "The Korea-Japan Exchange Special Committee is a channel through which the diverse voices of our export companies can be conveyed to the Japanese business community. We will support strengthening Korea-Japan economic cooperation through this committee."