Japanese firms ready to seize opportunities

Japanese companies expect to find success with their high-tech products during the China International Import Expo, as demand in China grows and bilateral ties between the countries deepen, Japanese exhibitors said.

AGC Group, a glass and industrial ceramics maker, is aiming to build its reputation among Chinese consumers and looks forward to cooperation in a wider range of areas with Chinese companies after the inaugural import expo.

Toshihiro Ueda, chief representative in China for AGC Group, said that in recent months his attention has centered solely on the expo.

“Since AGC started doing business with China, we have witnessed China turn from the world’s mega manufacturing powerhouse into the world’s biggest market,” he said, adding that his company’s strategy in China is clear and simple — to grow with the country’s development.

“This year marks the 40th anniversary of China’s reform and opening-up, and the 40th anniversary of the China-Japan Peace and Friendship Treaty. The bilateral relationship is on the right track, with reform and opening-up entering a new phase. What President Xi Jinping said in regard to further opening up has pumped our morale,” Ueda said.

“AGC’s products are mainly used in automobiles, televisions and mobile phones, for which China is the world’s biggest market. There are millions of consumers who are going through consumption upgrades,” he said.

Ueda has clear goals for his next step in China: increase the company’s market share in glass used in automobiles; consolidate its leading position in electronics; and increase its presence in the life sciences, while looking for deeper cooperation with China.

In addition to his sales plan, he said he has another mission: to present the most authentic image of China — how it really looks and its pace of development — to AGC’s headquarters in Japan.

“We are trying to get the people on the top floor to come to China so they can make the right decisions,” he said.

Hironobu Taketomi, president of Fujifilm (China) Investment, also anticipated the unprecedented growth and changes in the market as he wished to tap the Chinese market in healthcare and materials.

“We have two goals in China,” he said. “One is to discover the latest demand in the market so we can make a research and development plan accordingly, and the other is to find ideal local partners to team with.”

In an interview with Xinhua, Yoshihiko Isozaki, head of the Japanese delegation, said Japan valued the Chinese market highly. As a market with a population of more than 1.3 billion people, China presents a huge opportunity for Japanese industry. He singled out cosmetics products, which he said he believed could meet the demand from Chinese females.

ZHU XINGXIN / CHINA DAILY Visitors gather around hair dryers manufactured by Japanese company Panasonic at the import expo on Tuesday.