GR Japan is pleased to welcome Ken Saito, former Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, to our latest International Policy Forum (IPF) breakfast meeting. Mr. Saito will share his views on recent free trade agreement developments and negotiations, and the impact they have on the Japanese economy.

In a rapidly changing international trade environment, Japan is now playing a greater role in mega free trade talks, such as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), and ongoing negotiations in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). Mr. Saito will discuss how these trade agreements will contribute to Japan’s economic revitalization, including how Japanese businesses and consumers can expect to benefit from them.  

Before beginning his political career, Mr. Saito served for over 20 years as a government official in the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (currently the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry), where he led various trade negotiations, including Japan-US Automobile negotiations. 

As a lawmaker, he continues to tackle trade issues with a focus on the agricultural, forestry and fishery industries. He is currently a director of the House of Representatives’ Committee on Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, and Chief Secretary of the Liberal Democratic Party’s headquarters for the CPTPP, Japan-EU EPA and the Japan-US TAG (trade agreement of goods). 

Prior to Mr. Saito’s presentation, Jakob Edberg, President & CEO of GR Japan, will provide his analysis of the current Diet session. 

Please join us for this opportunity to hear directly from one of Japan’s renowned trade experts. 

<Agenda>
7.30am    Doors open for registration
7.45am    Nagatacho update by Jakob Edberg, President & CEO, GR Japan
8.00am    Presentation by Mr. Ken Saito
8.50am    Q&A, Networking
9.00am    Close

<Notes>
·   The event will be held in English, with Japanese consecutive interpretation provided.
·   The event is off-the-record.  Guests are kindly asked to refrain from disclosing or sharing comments or discussions from this event in any form of media.