Message of the President

Upcoming Events with Guests from Japan

Dear SJCC Members and Friends,

Markets and companies have become increasingly globalized over the last decades, and communication and transportation have correspondingly expanded leading to changes in the world economy and its needs. A bilateral chamber of commerce has to track these developments and tailor its activities accordingly. Our recent events reflect the Chamber’s commitment to these goals.

The SJCC’s 31st Annual General Meeting (AGM) was held on 10 May in Zurich. Many members and guests attended the dinner presentation by Mr. Yoshinori Nakata, Deputy Director-General of the Bank of Japan. His speech on “The Japanese economy and monetary policy: What’s negative? What’s positive?” has also been discussed the following day in an article by the Neue Zürcher Zeitung (NZZ).

The Chamber’s first After Work event in French-speaking Switzerland took place on 23 June on the campus of the EPFL in Lausanne. Luc Meier, project leader and SJCC member, presented the different projects that will be hosted in a new building designed by renowned Japanese architect Kengo Kuma. A visit of the construction site allowed to see the progress on those ArtLab initiatives that will soon be installed “under one same roof” – therefore the name of the project.

Upcoming Chamber events for your diary include:

22 September: Pierre-Yves Donzé will share his insights on the Swiss and Japanese watch industry. He is Professor of Business History at Osaka University and has published extensively on this topic for instance as author of A Business History of the Swatch Group.

On 16 November we will welcome another guest from Japan: Dr. Franz Waldenberger, Director of the German Institute for Japanese Studies in Tokyo will present his views on recent developments in Japan’s society, economy and politics.

Also save the date for the traditional Shinnenkai: Monday, 9 January 2017.

I look very much forward to seeing you at these upcoming Chamber events and wish you in the meantime an enjoyable summer.

Best regards,

Martin Herb
President