Israel Japan | Business Guide | 2018

Israel-Japan > Business Guide > 2018 008 > Greetings > Managing Director JETRO Tel Aviv Tomohiro Yoden Dear Readers, I t is a privilege and honor to be involved in the making of this magazine aimed at promoting Israel-Japan business and investment activities.We have seen a dramatic increase in business between our countries recently, and I hope this publication will contribute to this trend. The Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) is a government organization that works to promote mutual trade and investment between Japan and the rest of the world. Established in 1958 to promote Japanese exports abroad, JETRO's core focus in the 21st century has shifted toward promoting foreign direct investment (FDI) into Japan and helping small to medium-sized Japanese firms maximize their global export potential. JETRO’s other activities in Japan and overseas include: • Assisting business expansion of developing countries • Contributing to trade policies and economic partnerships • Promoting exports of Japanese agricultural, forestry, fishery and food products • Researching developing economies (through IDE-JETRO) JETRO Tel Aviv opened in 1997, following the 1994 visit of PM Yitzhak Rabin to Japan and his request to open a JETRO office in Israel in 1995. Our role is to promote two- way business and investment development through various means, such as seminars, conferences,exhibitions,networking events, briefings,hosting delegations and organizing B2B meetings. The Invest Japan Program is one of our leading tools to support Israeli companies considering establishing an entity in Japan. Under this program, eligible companies are entitled to receive support from JETRO whether they are setting up a business presence in the country for the first time or expanding on a prior investment. Our office also acts as a liaison and support platform for Japanese companies interested in doing business in Israel.We provide inquiring companies with briefings on the Israeli business ecosystem in general as well as on specific sectors,while allowing their representatives to take part in local business-related events. In this manner,JETRO acts as a bridge connecting the business communities of both countries. We encourage you to “Talk to JETRO First” before you launch your business in Japan— we are here to help your company succeed. In the midst of exciting developments in bilateral business relations, as seen in this year’s visits by PM Shinzo Abe to Israel as well as those by numerous companies between both countries, it gives us at JETRO Tel Aviv immense joy to be able to make our own contribution through this magazine. Tomohiro Yoden Managing Director JETRO Tel Aviv