Parliamentary Vice-Minister Ochi Receives a Courtesy Call from the Japan-U.S. Business Council

On Thursday, January 8, Parliamentary Vice-Minister Ochi received a courtesy call from a JUBC mission led by Advisor Sawada (the previous chairman) and Chairman Takashima.

During the courtesy call, Advisor Sawada and Chairman Takashima directly handed to Parliamentary Vice-Minister Ochi the joint statement from the 62nd Japan-U.S. Business Conference held in Tokyo in October 2025. JUBC members explained the details of the conference, the joint statement, and other activities.

In addition, they exchanged views on the importance of the contribution of Japanese companies to the U.S. regional economy, and affirmed their commitment to close public-private collaboration towards further strengthening Japan-U.S. economic relations.

Participants from the JUBC

• Sawada Jun, JUBC Advisor and previous chairman (Representative Member of the Board and Chairman, Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation)
• Takashima Makoto, JUBC Chairman (Chairman, Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc.)
• Higashihara Toshiaki, JUBC Vice Chairman (Director, Executive Chairman, Representative Executive Officer, Hitachi, Ltd.)
• Hyodo Masayuki, JUBC Vice Chairman (Chairman of the Board, Sumitomo Corporation)
• Yasukawa Kenji, JUBC Vice Chairman (Representative Director, President, Astellas Pharma Inc.)
• Inagaki Seiji, JUBC Vice Chairman (Chair of the Board & Director, Dai-ichi Life Holdings, Inc.)
• Kani Yukio, JUBC Vice Chairman (Chairman of the Board & CEO, JERA Co., Inc.)

Division in Charge

Americas Division, Trade Policy Bureau