Event report
Event recap: At the heart of French–Japanese cooperation in Gunma
On December 3rd, the CCIFJ Gunma Desk had the pleasure of hosting a new event focused on French–Japanese cooperation.
On Wednesday, December 3rd, the Gunma Desk of the CCI France-Japan (CCIFJ) had the pleasure of hosting a new event dedicated to strengthening Franco-Japanese cooperation, bringing together around twenty participants.
The event, “Envisioning Gunma’s Future through Franco-Japanese Economic Cooperations” took place in Netsugen, on the 32nd floor of the Gunma Prefectural Office in Maebashi.
The first part of the event featured a seminar led by the Fondation France-Japon (FFJ), an academic foundation affiliated with EHESS (School for Advanced Studies in the Social Sciences) and conducting research on France and Japan in the field of social sciences.
Sébastien Lechevalier, President of the FFJ, introduced several development perspectives for Gunma based on the foundation’s research, focusing on three key themes: population aging, innovation, and regional development.
His presentation was followed by remarks from Bernard Delmas, Honorary Chairman of the CCIFJ and co-chair of the “FFJ Circle”. Drawing on his experience at Michelin in both Auvergne and Gunma, he provided insightful comparisons between the two regions and highlighted their similarities. He also introduced a concrete example of Franco-Japanese cooperation: the Michelin Cities International Network, to which Clermont-Ferrand and Maebashi both belong.
Mayuko Yamamoto, in charge of international relations at the FFJ, then shared her perspective as a Japanese researcher in France. She emphasized that regional areas such as Gunma often serve as fertile ground for innovation, with peripheral territories offering unique conditions for new initiatives.
To conclude, the speakers highlighted how international cooperation, particularly Franco-Japanese collaboration, can offer valuable opportunities for Gunma’s future. Beyond existing initiatives such as those led by the CCIFJ or the Franco-Japanese Association of Gunma, further potential lies in partnerships with French regions, cities, and universities.
In the second half of the event, participants enjoyed a convivial networking session over French wine and specialties.
We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the Gunma Prefectural Government for its support.
We look forward to welcoming you again soon for upcoming events in Gunma!
