Although representatives of Japanese companies operating in Israel have begun to return to Tokyo, their country’s interest in co-operating with Israel has not been affected by the tension in the Persian Gulf. "Globes" heard this today from Levy Elad, Economic Envoy at the Israeli Embassy in Japan.
Elad said he had met, last week, with representatives of five Japanese companies, which had expressed interest in locating partners in Israel. He said that although Japanese companies had cancelled their proposed attendance at a seminar in Israel, on the recommendation of the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ten Japanese companies still have representatives in Israel, who came to take part in Food Week.
"My schedule is full of appointments with representatives of Japanese companies, and not one has been cancelled for that reason. The companies are aware that their Foreign Ministry’s directive, and indeed the whole state of tension, are for a limited period of time,
Elad added.
He noted that a meeting with 25 Israeli companies is presently being co-ordinated by the Israeli Embassy in Japan, the Japanese Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Japanese Export Institute, and various Japanese software firms. The organisers estimate that the event will be attended by some 500 Japanese firms, and will take place in Tokyo, Gifu and Osaka.
As regards the stability of the Japanese companies seeking co-operation with Israeli firms, Elad noted that although Japan is in financial crisis, "in Japan, the end is already in sight". According to him, the Japanese government will not permit the economic system to collapse, and will make use of its enormous overseas reserves for the purpose.
Published by Israel's Business Arena February 17, 1998