Kansai Event report
France-Japan Business Forum with the Hauts-de-France Delegation at the World Expo
On September 17, 2025, nearly 110 participants gathered at the France Pavilion of the Osaka Kansai World Expo to attend a seminar organized by the Hauts-de-France Region with the support of the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Japan (CCI France Japon). Mr. Xavier Bertrand, President of the Hauts-de-France Region, was present alongside a delegation of 30 local representatives. They engaged in discussions with business leaders from the Kansai region, as well as with representatives from JETRO and the local governments of Osaka, Kyoto, and Hyogo.
The day began with visits by the Hauts-de-France delegation to the French, American, Chinese, and Japanese pavilions. The seminar opened with welcome remarks from Mr. Jacques Maire, President of COFREX (Compagnie Française des Expositions) and Commissioner General for France at the World Expo in Osaka. Short introductions were then given by Mr. Xavier Bertrand and Mr. Yasutaka Otoyo, President of the Hyogo Regional Council.
The first session of the seminar focused on the strengths of the Hauts-de-France Region for Japanese industry. Mr. François Decoster, Vice-President of the Hauts-de-France Region, spoke alongside Mr. Rodolphe Delaunay, Director of Toyota Motor Manufacturing France, and Mr. François Mazure, Deputy Director of Yamaha Motor Manufacturing Europe. They highlighted the region's long history of hosting major Japanese investments, including Toyota, Yamaha, and Yusen Logistics, for over two decades. They also emphasized its industrial heritage in automotive and logistics, as well as future opportunities related to battery production, energy transition, and electrification.
The session continued with remarks from Mr. Susumu Kataoka, President of JETRO, who stressed the importance of strengthening economic relations between France and Japan.
The second session featured expert insights on the region's future. Mr. Matthieu Hubert, Secretary General of Automotive Cells Company, Mr. Brice Farineau, Regional Director of EDF Hauts-de-France, and Mr. Simon Moka, Manager at Aluminium Dunkerque, shared promising perspectives for the region. They highlighted the role of artificial intelligence and data centers as new drivers of decarbonized growth and innovation.
Mr. Ryu Tatewaki, APAC Director of the robotics startup EXOTEC, then presented how the company, founded in Lille in 2016, supports major global brands such as UNIQLO, Auchan, and CEVA Logistics (formerly Bolloré). His presentation illustrated how Hauts-de-France is positioning itself as a major logistics hub at the heart of Europe.
The third and final session addressed the use of artificial intelligence in supporting economic renewal in the region. Mr. Yann Pitollet, CEO of Nord France Invest, and Mr. Chekib Gharbi, Director of CITC, discussed the potential of AI to enhance the region’s attractiveness and support small and medium-sized enterprises in their digital transformation. Mr. Sébastien Cardet, Senior Director for Consulting and Services at Dassault Systèmes, and the Operations Director of Decathlon then shared practical examples of how AI can accelerate the development of prototypes. These presentations offered participants valuable insights into current innovations.
The seminar concluded with closing remarks by Mr. Nobushige Ichikawa, General Manager of the Tractor Division at Kubota, and Mr. Thibaut De Ladoucette, Director at Lesaffre. Both emphasized the innovative potential of the Hauts-de-France Region. A networking session followed in a private space within the France Pavilion, offering participants a panoramic view of the Expo. This informal moment provided an ideal opportunity for exchanging business cards, ideas, and exploring new avenues for collaboration.
Following this successful seminar, Mr. Bertrand expressed his intention to establish a recurring annual meeting between the Kansai region and Hauts-de-France to encourage continued exchanges and collaboration.
