A distinguished delegation from Kobe City, including government officials, over ten Kobe-based companies (specializing in IoT sensors, cosmetics, brown rice, packaging materials, and more), and public organizations, visited Sasin School of Management to explore business collaboration opportunities between Japan and Thailand. The Sasin Japan Center organized a series of dynamic events, featuring:

• Business Meetings: Connecting Kobe and Thai companies.
• Presentations: Showcasing Kobe’s investment environment and Kobe companies’ pitches to potential Thai partners.
• Networking Reception: Strengthening ties between the two nations’ business communities.

The event was marked by a special lecture from Professor Dr. Takamasa Fujioka, Advisor to the Sasin Japan Center and Associate Dean at Meiji Professional Graduate School. Opening remarks were delivered by Mr. Takashi Wada, President of Kyokko Electrics, followed by congratulatory comments from Associate Professor Dr. Chaipong Pongpanich, Chief Executive of Sasin Management Consulting. Additional key presentations were delivered by Ms. Pitcharee Keeratithakul, Senior Innovation Developer at Thailand’s National Innovation Agency (NIA), and Mr. Kohei Ohata, Director General of Kobe City’s Economy and Tourism Bureau. Participating Thai companies included prominent names such as PTT, SCG, and CP Group, alongside SMEs and other listed enterprises. The reception hosted over 100 attendees, fostering cross-cultural and corporate collaboration. Pre-Event Lectures for Kobe Companies Ahead of the main event, Kobe companies attended sessions on strategies for entering the Thai market, addressing social challenges through business, and effective management practices for SMEs in Thailand. The event was co-hosted by Kobe City and the Kobe Overseas Business Center, with support from JETRO Bangkok, Thailand’s Board of Investment (BOI), the Technology Promotion Association (Thailand-Japan), JTECS, ABK&AOTS Alumni Association (Thailand), and Sasin Management Consulting. Kobe: A Gateway to Japan’s Innovation and Global Trade Kobe offers strategic access to Osaka and Kyoto, world-class infrastructure for global connectivity, cutting-edge industries in life sciences, robotics, and IT, and business-friendly policies, including support programs for foreign enterprises such as Thai companies, making it an ideal hub for expansion into Japan. The city has successfully attracted major global corporations, including P&G, Nestlé, Lilly, Bayer, Airbus, and ABB.