New Zealand and Japan would benefit from closer economic relations, says the organiser of a high level business meeting in Wellington today.

BusinessNZ hosted today’s gathering of leading Japanese and New Zealand companies, focusing on economic growth and prospects for a free trade area in the Asia Pacific.

Major Japanese companies including Sumitomo Chemical, JX Holdings, Marubeni Corporation, East Japan Railway, Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance, Oji Holdings, Panasonic

Corporation, Sumitomo Life Insurance, Mayekawa MFG, Asahi Kasei Corporation, Nippon Life Insurance, Canon, Nomura Securities, and ITOCHU Corporation were represented at the meeting.

The companies are members of Nippon Keidanren, the Japan Business Federation, a sister organisation of BusinessNZ.

BusinessNZ Chief Executive Phil O’Reilly said business leaders from Japan and New Zealand shared insights on the current state of their economies and on how bilateral relations could be improved through business, cultural and sporting ties.

“Key issues for delegates from both countries included the importance of economic settings fostering business growth, and on the desirability of an Asia Pacific free trade agreement, which would benefit New Zealand and Japan particularly given our complementary exports,” Mr O’Reilly said.

Mr Yonekura – Chairman, Keidanren & Laurie Margrain – President, BusinessNZ

Mr Yokoyama – Co-Chairman, Keidanren

Contact Phil O’Reilly 04 4966552 or Kathryn Asare 021 555 744

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