Asian Productivity Organization (APO) Hirakawa-cho Dai-ichi Seimei Bldg. 2F 1-2-10 Hirakawa-cho, Chiyoda-ku Tokyo 102-0093, Japan   www.apo-tokyo.org	Press Release

15 February 2011

Kyoto Top Management Forum on Asian Dynamism and Global Management

The 27th Top Management Forum on Asian Dynamism and Global Management, hosted jointly by the Asian Productivity Organization (APO), Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) of Japan, and Japan Productivity Center (JPC), and in cooperation with the Kansai Productivity Center (KPC), kicked off on Monday, 14 February 2011, in Kyoto, Japan. The three-day forum brought together top business executives, senior government officials, and executives of national productivity organizations from APO members to study the key success factors of global management behind dynamic Asian enterprises.

At the opening session, APO Secretary-General Ryuichiro Yamazaki welcomed the 30 participants from 18 of the APO’s 20 member economies. Yamazaki stressed the importance of this forum at a time “when interdependent Asian economies are seizing new opportunities to expand beyond their domestic and regional markets.” JPC President Tsuneaki Taniguchi noted that this high-level forum had been held annually since 1985 and continued to play a major role in the promotion of innovation in management, a key driver in the productivity movement. KPC Vice Chairperson Hiroshi Tomono introduced the city of Kyoto, not only as a cultural heritage and tourism site but also as a center of creativity and manufacturing. As the president of Sumitomo Metal Industries, Tomono cited various innovative modernization efforts made by the company in copper production and trade.

In the session on “Asian Diversity and Dynamism of Innovation Management,” Dr. Yoshiya Teramoto, Professor of Waseda Business School, Waseda University Graduate School of Commerce, used the famous Japanese tale Momotaro (Peach Boy) to illustrate the importance of effectively managing diversity to achieve a specific goal. He stressed the intricate link between innovation and diversity, noting that “well-managed diversity can lead to innovation” and cited Asia as an ideal region for building growth and value through the optimization of individual strengths and unique capabilities.
 
Deputy Director Kazutoshi Shimura, Economic Partnership Division, Trade Policy Bureau, METI, Japan, and Director of FTA Policy and Planning Insang Hwang, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Republic of Korea, presented governmental perspectives on trade policies of Japan and Korea, respectively, and highlighted the continued importance of economic integration and cooperation within the region.

The forum continued through Wednesday, 16 February, with senior executives of leading Japanese private-sector firms such as Tokyo Electron Ltd., Nambu Co. Ltd., Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd., and Ootoya Co. Ltd. sharing their insights on global management and winning strategies. On the final day, forum participants visited Omron Kyoto Taiyo Co. Ltd., manufacturer of electrical and mechanical supplies, to observe best practices of global management first-hand.

This annual forum provides a rare opportunity for Asian business and industry leaders to interact, not only to share experiences and knowledge but also to develop a common global management strategy tapping inherent Asian dynamism.

For more information, please contact:

Arlene P. Donaire
Information and Public Relations Officer
adonaire@apo-tokyo.org

Masaya Amau
Research and Planning Department Program Officer
mamau@apo-tokyo.org

Asian Productivity Organization
Tel: (81-3)5226-3920
Fax: (81-3)5226-3950
URL: www.apo-tokyo.org