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and the 90 year anniversary celebrations offer an opportunity for both countries to work even more closely together. Innovation and technology are key areas of collaboration and we expect business and trade ties between both countries to strengthen in the coming years.”

www.jetro.go.jp/canada

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How well positioned is Ontario to attract ‘new’ Japanese investment and encourage Japanese investors already in Ontario to re-invest in the province?

Japanese companies have invested U.S.$9.44B in Ontario from 2003 to 2017, and the province continues to view Japan as a priority market.

Key Japanese companies that are already in Ontario include Toyota, Mitsubishi, Toshiba and Honda, so when you choose to do business in the province, you will be among other successful Japanese investors who have already unlocked much of Ontario’s value.

Ontario is one of the best places to grow a business. With a highly skilled workforce, one of the world’s top technology clusters, competitive business costs, and a high quality of life, the province is ripe for growth.

Ontario’s abundance of talent is some of the best in the world. We produce graduates that are poised to shape the ideas and advances of tomorrow. In fact, there are over 3,000 international students from Japan currently studying in Ontario, and many top Japanese universities such as the University of Tokyo, University of Kyoto and Osaka University have partnerships with Ontario’s University of Toronto, University of Waterloo and Queens University.

What steps is Ontario taking (the public sector) to position the province as the leading investment destination for Japanese and Asian investment?

Our top priority is to make it easier for the world to do business with Ontario. We are cutting business costs and reducing the regulatory burdens placed on companies, creating an environment where investment can thrive.

The provincial government has set an aggressive target to cut business red tape by 25 percent and has launched a plan to remove barriers to job creation in about a dozen sectors.

Ontario also offers an array of incentive programs and services that can lower corporate taxes and help businesses save on the costs of labor, research and development, and expansion.

Lastly, firms that choose to invest in Ontario can have confidence in our long-term political and economic stability. Ontario is at the center of one of the most stable and competitive business climates in the world, which is an important aspect of growing a company.

www.investinontario.com

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“We will strive for further enhancement of our relationship by building upon our past and present activities, focusing on the younger generation and finding new ways to cultivate friendship and ties between Japan and Canada.”

www.jftor.org

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“More Canadian executives are managing Japanese companies in Canada and we expect this trend to continue. Today, Canada and Japan have the potential to be even stronger partners and both sides continue to make every effort to better understand one another. With the Rugby World Cup taking place in Japan later this year, the Tokyo Olympics in 2020 and the 2025 World Expo taking place in Osaka, all eyes are on Japan at the moment and this is good for tourism, investment and trade. We want to encourage Japanese companies and investors to re-discover the opportunities in Canada as we support Japanese companies and their growth in Canada.”

www.torontoshokokai.org/index_en.html

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University of Alberta, Faculty of Arts Building  |  © Flickr.com/IQRemix

www.ualberta.ca/ptjc
www.jacac.com

A message from Lesley Cormack, Dean, Faculty of Arts, University of Alberta:

“The Prince Takamado Japan Centre’s (PTJC) promotion of the Japanese language and culture in Canada aligns with the University of Alberta and Faculty of Arts’ commitment to enabling bold and productive opportunities for dialogue, meaningful national and international collaboration, cross-disciplinary research and creative activity. The PTJC is helping to facilitate stronger academic links between Japan and Canada by fostering new teaching and research opportunities. The PTJC’s most successful and sustained programs have advanced Japan-Canada student mobility through extensive collaboration with other universities and sponsors.”

www.ualberta.ca
www.ualberta.ca/ptjc

Erika Rodning, 2015, University of Alberta:

“Following my involvement with the Forum, I travelled to Japan for a month-long backpacking trip around the country. I was able to connect with a dozen of connections I had made through the program, and the information I had learned about the country came to life before my eyes. My travels… are merely the beginning of a long relationship to come with Japan – something I can attribute to JACAC.”

www.ualberta.ca

Gabriel Chen, 2012/2013, University of British Columbia:

“Participating in JACAC really expanded my network as I met people from all over Japan and Canada.  I created many strong friendships… Whenever I travel in Japan or Canada, I try to visit some ex-JACAC participants and they are always happy to give me a tour of their city.  I also have had a few participants visit me in Vancouver, and I had a great time showing them around.”

www.ubc.ca

Kenta Natsume, 2016, Hosei University:

“After the forum, I started being interested in environmental issues more because the theme of the forum was energy and society… I simply try to be eco-friendly more after the forum. Personally, I noticed that it is a good thing to interact with people with various backgrounds in order to broaden horizon. For example, one of the Canadian participants have so different ideas from mine. That is why I decided to study abroad… in the U.S. as an exchange student.”

www.hosei.ac.jp/english

Takaya Tokuyama, Kwansei Gakuin University:

“It was so surprising to me how closely KGU and Canada have been helped each other for a long time… JACAC helped me deepen the understandings of the detail about the relationship between my university and Canada. I decided to take more Canada studies courses to develop the knowledge that I could gain in this forum. The most impressive thing on this program is all friendship and connections that I could build. All the participants are absolutely amazing people, and they all seek their interests with a big passion for their dreams. Working and spending time with those passionate people were so fabulous that I already miss all of them.”

global.kwansei.ac.jp

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The G20 Osaka Summit took place recently (28th and 29th June) and Japan and Canada continue to strengthen their ties and maximize shared common ground through global events and groups such as the G20.”

“This year’s 90th Anniversary of Japan-Canada diplomatic relations is a perfect opportunity to assess our current relationship and plan for the future. Relations between our two countries are strong but we need to make sure we do not get complacent. There is huge potential to build on our relationship, especially as Canada continues to strengthen its ties with countries across the Asia Pacific region.”

“In the political security arena, we are seeing more dialogue and we are working to ensure this continues. In terms of Canada-Japan business, tourism, energy, technology, trading, manufacturing and commodities are areas in which we see huge potential.”

“While Canada enjoys strong trade ties with the United States, the country is actively diversifying and working more closely with other countries. Japan is a strategic partner for Canada and we want to see this relationship grow in terms of economic and trade ties.”

“Canada has a great deal to offer in terms of education and skilled labor and ‘Intellectual infrastructure’ has become a key topic for investors looking at the Canadian market. Finally, Japan and Canada share common values and continue to complement one another on many levels. As we move the relationship forward, there is much more work ahead for us to do.”

www.ca.emb-japan.go.jp
www.twitter.com/JapaninCanada
www.facebook.com/JapaninCanada/
www.ca.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/Ambassador_Ishikane.html
www.g20.org/en

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Taiho Pharma Canada’s metastatic colon or rectal cancer treatment LONSURF was swiftly approved by Canada’s public health agency, Health Canada, and has been available in Canada since January 2018. LONSURF combines trifluridine, which interferes with DNA in cancer cells to stop them from making new cancer cells and tipiracil, which stops trifluridine from being broken down by enzymes before it can act. LONSURF has been well received in Canada, encouraging Taiho Pharma Canada to bring new drugs to the market.

“We work closely with customers and focus on solving problems together,” said Glover. “Having worked in the Canadian pharmaceutical industry for 30 years, I personally understand the dynamic conversations and important relationships that need to take place.”

As with Japan, Canada has its own unique corporate culture. Glover’s counterparts in Japan recognize the importance of understanding the Canadian way of doing business.

“Our different approaches have created synergies,” said Glover. “Together we are achieving success in the Canadian market by conducting our business in a transparent manner and strengthening our engagement with Canada’s pharmaceutical market.” Through Taiho Pharma Canada’s patient-focused approach, the company is continuing to grow while directly improving the lives of patients.

“We have developed the business through teamwork, courage, resilience and passion,” concluded Glover. “With these factors in place, success has followed and we are very much looking forward to the future.”

 www.otsuka.com/en
www.taihopharma.ca

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Leadership

Gardner is responsible for all business operations at Honda Canada Inc., including the Honda and Acura automotive divisions, Honda motorcycle, power equipment, ATV and engine businesses. Celebrating 30 years with Honda this year, Gardner is looking toward the future while celebrations continue.

“Honda planted roots in Canada with a vision of contributing to Canadian society,” said Gardner. “We are proud of our associates, dealers, partners and suppliers who have played an important part in our growth and have helped improve the communities where we live and work. We would like to thank the millions of Canadians who are loyal members of the Honda family. We look forward to growing with you for the next 50 years.”

Manufacturing

To date, Honda Canada total investment exceeds $4.7 billion in Canadian operations and each year sources almost $2.1 billion in goods and services from Canadian suppliers.

Honda of Canada Mfg. (HCM) opened its first plant in Alliston, Ontario, in 1986, with a second plant opening in 1998, offering a present-day total production capacity of approximately 400,000 units annually. Ten years later, an investment of $154 million was made in a third manufacturing facility to produce four-cylinder engines, with an output of approximately 260,000 units each year.

HCM production serves Canada and the United States. Our 4,200 production associates have built more than 8 million cars and light trucks, including the Honda Civic, Canada’s best-selling passenger car for the past 21 years.

Independent Dealer Network

Honda Canada has a national network of more than 600 independent automotive, motorcycle and power equipment dealers, and employs more than 19,000 associates directly and indirectly across the country in manufacturing, sales offices and dealerships.

Contributing to Canadian society

Established in 2005, the Honda Canada Foundation (HCF) was created to support local communities across Canada through various annual philanthropic activities and funding to nonprofit registered charities where Honda customers and associates live, work and play. Each year more than $2 million is disbursed to groups in need and more than 6 million Canadians have benefited from charitable programs funded by Honda Canada and the Honda Canada Foundation.

Environment

Honda Canada has remained committed to sustainability in all aspects of its operations and services. A recent $492 million investment will modernize HCM’s manufacturing facilities and further reduce the company’s carbon footprint.

As early as 1998, Honda Canada achieved ISO 14001 certification and 2007 saw a zero-waste-to-landfill manufacturing benchmark implemented. In 2010, the company’s head office received LEED Gold certification. By supporting the Canadian economy through investment and jobs, playing a role in environmental protection initiatives and acting as a strong community leader, Honda Canada has become a company that Canadians truly appreciate.

For more information, please visit: www.hondacanada.ca

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