MUNICH Japan is strengthening its presence in southern Germany with the opening of a representative office in Munich. The office is run by JETRO, the Japanese foreign trade centre. Minister of Economic Affairs Hubert Aiwanger: “This is another important milestone in the Bavarian-Japanese success story. It once again demonstrates the importance and significance of Bavaria as a business location for inbound and outbound business. Japan’s commitment to Bavaria as a business location sends out a great signal.”
 
“Japan is one of Bavaria’s most important business partners worldwide, which shares our values,” said the Minister of State. Bavaria has run a representative office in Tokyo since 1988, making it the first state to have its own representation in Japan. The Minister of State regards the fact that work is now once again being done directly from Bavaria to intensify relations between Japan and Bavaria as proof of how much Japan trusts Bavaria as a strong and innovative partner.
 
“The high concentration of leading companies, especially from the industrial sector, as well as innovative start-ups makes Bavaria an attractive location. With the opening of our third office in Germany, we are now also represented in Munich. I am convinced that JETRO Munich will contribute to a further strengthening and intensification of economic relations between Bavaria and Japan,” said Nobuhiko Sasaki, Chairman & CEO of JETRO.
 
JETRO (Japan External Trade Organisation) is Japan's state-owned investment and foreign trade promotion organisation, established in 1958 by the Japanese Ministry of International Trade and Industry to support and promote Japanese export efforts. The now officially opened office in Munich is a bridge between both countries. Bavarian companies that want to invest in Japan, cooperate with a Japanese company or export their products to Japan will find valuable information here. At the same time, JETRO, together with the business promotion agency for the State of Bavaria, Invest in Bavaria, also supports Japanese companies that want to gain a foothold in Bavaria. In Germany, JETRO has offices in Munich, which is responsible for Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, as well as in Berlin and Düsseldorf.
 
With a trade volume of considerably more than seven billion euros, Japan is Bavaria’s second most important Asian trade partner. With roughly 450 Japanese branches and around 8,000 Japanese people living here, Bavaria is now a stronghold of Japanese companies in Germany.

JETRO in Munich can be reached by phone on +49 89 210 28 690 and email at mun@jetro.go.jp.