Entrepreneurs look East

Irish entrepreneurs are to get tips on how to do business in Japan at a conference organised by Enterprise Ireland and Ibec.

The event in Dublin tomorrow will focus on financial, healthcare and ICT sectors.

One quarter of the world’s hi-tech products are manufactured in Japan while 75% of blogs globally are reported to be in Japanese.

Japanese spend four times more per gramme on food than the Americans and 60% of their food is imported.

A trade mission to the Far East involving Irish firms is being planned in the near future.

This year also marks the 50th anniversary of Irish diplomatic relations with Japan.

International speakers at the conference in the Four Seasons Hotel will include a representative from Ibec, the Economist Intelligence Unit and Icon Plc.

“The 'Japan - Take a Closer Look' conference will provide an insight into the present state of the Japanese economy and the market opportunities it offers,” said an Enterprise Ireland spokesperson.

“Guest speakers will outline their experiences in achieving success in this sometimes forgotten land of opportunity.

“2007 also marks the 50th anniversary of Irish diplomatic relations with Japan - an appropriate time to examine our trade relations with the second biggest market in the world.

“Are we taking full advantage of what this mature and successful economic giant has to offer?”