Local News

On Oct. 24, the Japan Association of Corporate Executives held the ASEAN-Japan Business Meeting (AJBM), a discussion session for business executives from Japan and ASEAN member nations, in Kitakyushu. Approximately 100 businesspersons from Japan and ASEAN countries joined the meeting where they agreed to strengthen ties between Japan and ASEAN and exchanged frank opinions on issues. One Japanese participant said he would like to see ASEAN members make more efforts to curb pollution, while one businessman from an ASEAN nation commented that Japan should consider ways to cut distribution costs because, while Japanese products are reliable, they are too expensive. The annual meeting, which is held on a rotating basis, convenes in Japan every three years. The last meeting in Fukuoka Prefecture was held in Fukuoka City in 1990. This was the first time for the AJBM to meet in Kitakyushu.

Source: Nishinippon Shimbun, 10/25