********************************************************************* Issue 79 [January 2014] OCCI e-Magazine http://www.osaka.cci.or.jp/e/index.html ********************************************************************* << NEW YEAR'S MESSAGE >> (from Shigetaka SATO, Chairman, Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry) < - Realizing economic expansion participated in by all parties - > I take great pleasure in offering our New Year's greeting. Last year was a year in which we could realize the importance of political leadership. Abenomics has worked successfully in correcting the excessive appreciation of the yen and raising share prices, resulting in a much warmer Japanese economy, which had been quite cool for a while. Tokyo also succeeded in its bid to host the 2020 Summer Olympic Games. In addition, through the long-awaited participation in the Trans - Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership (TPP), I believe Japan could show its strong presence in the world. I hope that this year will be a year in which a stronger economic expansion participated in, and enjoyed by all parties is realized through the government's economic policies as well as its growth strategy to stimulate private-sector demand in areas such as corporate investment, consumer spending and inbound tourism. Fortunately, in Osaka, the groundwork for building an attractive city and creating innovation is well underway. The Osaka Government Tourism Bureau and Aqua Metropolis Osaka Partners were established, through which the public and private sectors cooperate in promoting tourism. Kansai International Airport attracted more passengers, with a growing number of passengers using LCCs. Grand Front Osaka, a newly built commercial complex in the Umekita area, as well as Abeno Harukas also attracted wide attention. With the opening of a new attraction area under the Harry Potter theme at Universal Studios Japan this year, it is expected that Osaka will continue to convey the city's attractiveness both in terms of facilities and content. Meanwhile, in the field of life science industries, where Osaka excels, PMDA-WEST, the western Japan branch of the Pharmaceutical and Medical Devices Agency, which is responsible for approval reviews of pharmaceutical products and medical devices, was established in Osaka last year. A system to support the commercialization of research and development achievements utilizing the system of International Strategic Comprehensive Special Zones was launched. Osaka is also preparing for designation as a National Strategic Special Zone newly introduced as part of Abenomics. There is a concern that the Tokyo Olympic Games might accelerate the excessive concentration of population and industries in the Tokyo area. However, from the experience of the Great East Japan Earthquake, we learned that it is necessary for a country to have capital functions in more than one area. It is without a doubt that the importance of Osaka, which plays a central role in the economy in western Japan, will increase in the future. In order to address such issues, the Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) has developed the second three-year plan of gOSAKA METROPOLIS of Endless Visitors -Let's Create a Great Osaka, Great Kansai with Everyone Participating,h which was originally launched in 2011. The basic framework of the plan wasn't changed: gStrategic Projectsh to promote leading and innovative efforts by the public and private sectors to realize an gOSAKA METROPOLIS of Endless Visitorsh as well as gReinforcement Projectsh to prepare the environment to support the former. However, we have reviewed the line-up of the two categories to help strengthen the management capability of each member company, considering the achievements and issues found during the first three years, as well as changes in the environment. As for the Strategic Projects, the project gBuilding of Medicalpolish and gPromotion of Inbound Tourismh have been carried forward from the first phase. Several projects concerning the promotion of environmental/new energy industries including water businesses were restructured and integrated into the two projects of gPromotion of Environmental/New Energy Industriesh and gPromotion of Next-generation Manufacturing Industries.h gPromotion of Lifestyle Industrieshto support the growth of the clothing, food and housing industries were also added. Other newly-added strategic projects such as gOsaka, the City to Create Marketsh which had been addressed as a project in the 'Reinforcement Projects' category, gOverseas Market Access,h focusing on business development in overseas markets and gSupport for Recruiting New Human Resourcesh focusing on female workers and foreign students were also added. Through these projects, we work to perform the tasks required on an industry-wide basis. In the second phase of the plan for gOSAKA METROPOLIS of Endless Visitors,h through these eight strategic projects and four reinforcement projects, OCCI will endeavor to (1) develop businesses both in Japanese and overseas markets, resulting in the development of Osaka and other cities in the Kansai region and the revitalization of the Japanese economy, and (2) turn the OCCI into a business information hub where business opportunities are born, thus contributing to the vitalization of member companies. In conclusion, we would greatly appreciate your continued support and kind cooperation with regard to future OCCI operations. Shigetaka SATO Chairman Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Chief Editor : Shinji MARUYAMA, Director of International Division, OCCI Mailed by : Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry, International Division Address : 2-8 Hommachi-bashi, Chuo-ku, Osaka, Japan 540-0029 Tel : +81-(0)6-6944-6400 Fax : +81-(0)6-6944-6293 Contact Persons : Kazuko KAMADO (Ms.), Hikaru KOHAMA (Mr.) Back Numbers of OCCI e-Magazine: http://www.osaka.cci.or.jp/e/mail/index.html = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = * Please contact us through the email (kohama@osaka.cci.or.jp) to inform us of your change of e-mail address, or of your wishes not to receive OCCI e-Magazine.