A delegation of 140 top entrepreneurs from Ireland, including more than a dozen from the north, are in Japan in what has been described as “the island’s biggest-ever overseas trade mission”.
They are there as part of the annual EY Entrepreneur of the Year chief executives’ retreat, when they will travel between Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto and participate in a comprehensive programme of executive coaching, education and networking, while also experiencing Japan’s vibrant culture and traditions
Key visits will include SoftBank Corporation HQ, where the group will meet with SoftBank president Kunihiro Fujinaga and executive vice-president Daichi Nozaki, a ‘Mini MBA’ experience at Hitotsubashi University, delivered by leading Japanese academics Professor Yoshinori Fujikawa and Professor Hiroshi Ono, and Ireland House Tokyo, the centre of Ireland’s diplomatic relations in Japan, where the group will meet with Ambassador of Ireland to Japan, Damien Cole.
Later in the week the group will immerse themselves in Japanese culture in Kyoto before concluding with a visit to the World Expo in Osaka.
Around 140 Irish entrepreneurs are in Tokyo between May 26 and 31 as part of the annual EY Entrepreneur of the Year retreat (Kiichiro Sato/AP)
Among those travelling from Northern Ireland are Martin Tierney of Seating Matters (Derry), William McColgan of McColgan’s Quality Foods (Tyrone) and Terry Hughes of Pivotal (Antrim), who are among the finalists in this year’s EY Entrepreneur of the Year initiative.
They are joined by a large number of alumni from across the north, all of whom previously participated in the EoY, including Dominic Fitzpatrick, chief executive of IntoMedia Group, parent company of the Irish News.
Japan is the world’s fourth largest economy, with enduring strengths in areas including innovation, technology, automotive and manufacturing.
The existing trade relationship between Ireland and Japan is strong with Japan positioned as Ireland’s second largest trading partner in the Asia-Pacific region.
Many of the entrepreneurs travelling to Japan are already conducting business there, while others are seeking to expand their markets.
Rob Heron, EY Northern Ireland managing partner, said: “The CEO retreat is one of the highlights of our Entrepreneur Of The Year programme.
“This year we are taking the biggest ever cohort of entrepreneurs on the retreat to Japan to meet with local business leaders, academics and experts, while also experiencing Japan’s vibrant culture and traditions.
“Japan is renowned as an innovative leader across various industries, including manufacturing, electronics, automotive and robotics, with world-class Japanese companies such as Sony, Honda, Yamaha.
EY Northern Ireland managing partner Rob Heron
“It is a country rich in opportunity for entrepreneurs looking to expand beyond traditional markets and into the wider Asia-Pacific region, an area which continues to move from strength-to-strength.
“This retreat is an opportunity for our entrepreneurs to delve deeper into new market opportunities in Japan and expand their knowledge of business and trade in the region.”
Since its inception, the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Ireland community has grown into a network of 650 alumni who harness each other’s wealth of experience, with three quarters (75%) conducting business with one another.
Together, the EoY alumni community generates revenues in excess of €25 billion and employs more than 250,000 people across the island.
AloJapan.com