Japanese companies still have chance in China: Itochu CEO

Interview

Trading house chief cites restaurants, sports goods as areas of opportunity

Itochu Chairman and CEO Masahiro Okafuji said he hopes to keep working for now but has several potential successors in mind. (Photo by Nikkei)

SHIN WATANABE

December 31, 2025 05:46 JST

TOKYO — Even with bilateral tensions running high, there “are still opportunities” for Japanese companies in China, especially with the prolonged stagnation in its real estate market and overall economy, said Masahiro Okafuji, chairman and CEO of trading house Itochu, in a recent interview with Nikkei.