JMEC Program Director Laura Loy said: “Having been involved with the program since JMEC 13 (2006-07), I have seen more than 200 highly qualified and motivated individuals graduate. The 58 participants who are joining JMEC 17 are no exception. Hailing from so many different nations and with very diverse personal and professional backgrounds, they are a unique and capable group. It is clear they are already extremely eager to get to work on researching and writing the comprehensive business plans for their Project Clients and the JMEC judges.”

 

JMEC started in 1993 by a group of individuals who desired more training about doing business in Japan. Since the inception of JMEC, the program has come to be supported by sixteen foreign chambers of commerce in Japan till now. JMEC is a business training program, which is centered on a business plan competition. As a not-for-profit organization sponsored by 16 foreign chambers of commerce in Japan, it sends up-and-coming executives and entrepreneurs (Participants) through a series of lectures and workshops presented by respected professionals. Participants sign nondisclosure agreements and are put into teams that are matched with foreign companies (Project Clients) and an experienced mentor to research and compose a business plan for the Japanese market. At the end of the program, JMEC judges nominate the three top teams and award them prizes.

 

JMEC brings together highly motivated mid-career professionals willing to challenge themselves, with companies in need of a business plan for their activities in the Japanese market. The individuals take part in a 2-part business training program. The first phase focuses on classroom instruction, while the second part involves hands-on experience writing a business plan for a company’s endeavors in the Japanese market. The client companies receive a quality business plan, whether it be for Japan market entry or expansion, and so it is a great option for any organization doing business in Japan or thinking of starting a business in Japan.

 

As of June 2010, the conclusion of the program's 16th year, 797 JMEC graduates have collectively written 150 business plans for organizations of all types both within and outside of the Japanese market.

 

 

After Austrian Business Council (ABC) and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Japan (CCCJ) joined the Japan Market Expansion Competition (JMEC) in October, The Norwegian Chamber of Commerce in Japan (NCCJ) became the 16th foreign chamber of commerce to support JMEC on Dec. 2.

 

NCCJ was established in 2003 to replace the Norwegian Business Forum in Tokyo. Currently with 60 members, the NCCJ has become an established focal center and forum for companies and individuals involved in Norway-Japan business. Membership reflects a wide range of sectors, from traditional industries such as seafood and shipping to high-tech ventures providing the latest innovations. The NCCJ works closely with Team Norway, an informal private-public sector group including the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Tokyo, Innovation Norway, Norway-Japan Society, Scandinavian Tourist Board, and Scandinavian Airlines.

 

NCCJ President Trond Varlid said: “We are very pleased to join JMEC as a supporting chamber. Having been personally involved with JMEC in various capacities for many years, I know that our members can benefit in a number of ways from the program—companies as well as individuals. Companies looking for innovative business plans for particular projects at a low cost will find JMEC a highly attractive option. For individuals looking to develop their business skills and knowledge, JMEC is a unique opportunity to learn directly from professional executives—lecturers, mentors and consultants—and by working on real projects for real companies, not just academic business case studies.” JMEC Chairperson Verena Urbschat said: “JMEC is continuously expanding our network of supporting chambers, enabling us to reach an even wider audience in the business community in Japan and considering potential project clients from across the world. The support JMEC receives from foreign chambers in Japan has played a crucial role in making it a successful business-training program and business-plan writing competition. Each supporting chamber adds to the extremely international flavor of JMEC and we are very pleased to welcome on board the Norwegian Chamber of Commerce in Japan.”

 

 

 

 Maggie Zhang joined iTV-Asia in September 2010.  She is originally from Henan, China and is “Content Coordinator” for Japan.  She is focused on a number of industries including advertising, energy, entertainment, finance, food & beverage, media and real estate.  Maggie is new to Shanghai and is exploring and learning about this great city.  She can be reached at maggie.zhang@itv-asia.com.